Art studio MakerSpace tinkering Playtime Science Exploration
Creating ART & Maker Spaces for Kids
in 5 Simple Steps
A personal maker space is just an area that facilitates creating. This requires 5 things:
Enough space
The right tools
The right materials
Organization
Inspiration
Every kid and every home has different needs and limitations, so please read this as a set of guidelines, not a definitive guide. The young girl living in an urban apartment who wants to create her own line of duct tape accessories will have different needs than the preteen boy who wants to build contraptions in preparation for the zombie apocalypse!
In any case, you can read on to get inspiration for the 5 aspects of your kid's maker space.
Step 1: Choose a Space and Worktable
Find a space that you don't mind getting messy!
I've staked out a spot in the bedroom and placed a small rolling desk that I found at a garage sale for $25. The keyboard tray rolls out which makes a nice active workspace while the desktop will be useful for placing tools and materials that are useful to keep on hand. The cubbies below can store tools and materials.
In this case, I cut a sheet of cardboard and use blue painter's tape to attach it to the working surface to protect it from markers, glue, etc. The painter's tape won't leave a sticky residue, and it will make it easier to change the cardboard later on.
Step 2: Get the Right Tools
The age and interests of your young maker will determine what the right tools are. One who delights in decorative arts and crafts could use glue sticks, rubber cement, or crazy craft scissors. Electronics and light metal work require a soldering iron. This section is really up to you to decide what's best to suit the individual interests of your child.
Materials don't always come in the right size. Another cutting tool to consider (for adult hands only) is a woodcutting tool, like this one.
Why masking tape? Clear tape is not adhesive or pliable enough; it comes undone too easily. Duct tape, though awesome and should definitely be a consideration, is more difficult for young children to cut, tear, and manipulate (and it's more expensive). Masking tape is great because it's easy to tear and apply, and with some basic techniques, it can attach just about any two crafting materials together.
Hot glue is even more essential.With a hot glue gun, a pile of craft sticks can become a usable doll house within minutes. No waiting overnight for glue to dry, or getting frustrated over weak adhesives. Hot glue is just awesome.
You can buy very cheap glue guns at Micheal's. In my area, the Dollar Tree chain sells really cheap glue guns (20 for $1!) or buy this one online.
Young children (age 6 or so) can effectively and safely use a hot glue gun with careful introduction, guided practice, and having the right mindset. Rather than focusing on the dangers of hot glue, focus on its benefits.
Try introducing hot glue as follows:
Hot glue is great because it is easy to use and it dries very quickly.
This means that you can build something, test it out, add onto it, play with it, and build some more all in one making session. However, hot glue is hot! The glue gun needs to get hot enough to melt the solid glue. The tip of the glue gun is the hottest part, and the glue when it first comes out is also very hot. Keep your fingers away from these.
Demonstrate how to hold a glue gun and how to assemble things without getting your fingers too close.
As a rule of thumb, always try to put hot glue on the bigger of two objects. Putting hot glue on a small object that's being held with your fingertips is risky.
If they do get burned, run your hand under cold water and count to 50. Repeat if necessary.
Burns that persist can be treated by applying and removing an ice pack as needed.
In my experience the vast majority of them love using a hot glue gun, and the benefits far outweigh the risks. Additionally, allowing young children to use a low temp glue gun builds self confidence as a person and as a maker. Not many kids get to independently use a hot glue gun!
Step 3: Gather Materials
Your material choice will depend on many factors: child's age, budget, space, and availability. This example is for children of elementary school age, and with a modest budget and space efficiency in mind.
First, talk to your child about the things they think they need to make what they want! If they're not sure, find a variety of craft supplies and see what interests them. It's important to find a variety of interesting supplies, because limited supplies can limit the imagination.
Great places to find inspiring materials include:
Reuse stores. These are stores that accept material donations and resell them at a low cost. Search Google Maps or Yelp in your area for a "reuse store." The content of these stores can range from discounted crafting goods to wholesale hardware.
Thrift stores. Cheap appliances and toys can be disassembled for a bevy of interesting parts.
Local recycling center. Call ahead of time and ask if they'll allow you to take cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, and more.
Step 4: Get Organized
There is something delightful about rummaging through a bin of random materials, however it can be discouraging when you need to find 50 craft sticks at the bottom.
Shop around for something to keep your materials organized. Keep in mind that your young maker might not keep things as organized as you, so it may be prudent to use 3-10 containers that keep things organized by a general material type versus individual materials. (Ex: A container for all recyclables instead of a container for toilet paper tubes, another container for cereal boxes, and a third for cardboard boxes)
For my maker space, I selected a set of craft storage drawers since I intend to store woodcraft and small plastic components. The clear plastic also makes it easy to select the right material without labels. It cost less than $30 on Amazon.
Step 5: Provide Inspiration
You're ready to make it! But wait - how exactly do you begin that huge marble roller coaster that you saw on Youtube once, like, a month ago?
Once you have a great idea, the next step is to search the web to find out if anyone else has tried something similar, and if so, what great ideas are out there for you to build on. Yes, it's very gratifying to come up with a totally unique project idea, and it's just as gratifying to take existing ideas and combine them in new ways. Creating projects that are inspired by others also helps build skills and experiences that your young maker can draw upon later.
Here are some tips for finding inspiration to match your young maker's vision:
Search Google images vs. Google web search - it's much faster to find what you're looking for. Try changing one word at a time in your search until you find a rich phrase (Ex: marble roller coaster vs. ball roller coaster vs. ball Rube Goldberg). If you find an image that you like, follow it to its source.
Search Pinterest using words like "kids" "art" "craft" "engineering" "stem" "make" "fun." There are a lot of dedicated parents who've collected pages and pages of inspiring images and project ideas.
Service 1
A Mini Art And Maker Space for Kids
Do you have a child who likes to create? Or maybe want to encourage them to? Is something holding you back? I know for me, it’s sometimes the mess. Or maybe the effort of pulling it all together. Today’s post is all about making creating easy in your house with easy to access supplies. This Mini Maker Space Cart for Kids will inspire kids to create, and not just your average art projects. It will inspire them to build, explore electric circuits, and learn with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, & math).
Mini Maker Space Must Haves Cart
So I’ve dug alllll through Pinterest to find ways to organize my world. And I keep coming back to the cart idea. Because in our house, we do our projects allll over the house. In the kitchen, in the dining room, in the office. So I wanted our supplies to be mobile. And I wanted it to fit our STEAM-inspired life too, with some more advanced making supplies.
So what do you include in your cart?
First, start with what you have… Grab all the craft supplies hiding in the kitchen or the closet or the kids’ rooms and put them all together. It helps to know what you have to pull it all together.
Then you’ll need a cart. Your local Walmart, IKEA, and Michaels have some good ones. you can also
Then think through the type of projects you want to do with the kids.
All about art? Stock this with paint, paper, palettes, and pastels :)
All about engineering? Stock the cart of recyclables, connectors, LEGO bricks, and more.
To make pulling together your mini maker space super easy, I’ve pulled together this handy free printable for you. It’s a checklist with everything you need to start a maker space for your kids.
To have this helpful checklist emailed to you, simply CLICK HERE
Then think about the containers. You want cups to hold tall skinny stuff like pencils, rulers, and pipe cleaners. And you’ll want some of those magazine boxes to hold paper and scraps. And a couple of lengths of PVC pipe and some ribbon to hang your tape and art paper roll on.
Clean-up Made Easy
One of the things people often mention when they talk about creative projects with kids is the mess. Like as in Capital M MESS. And I’ll be honest, there is mess, but if you plan ahead for how to contain it and how to clean it, mess becomes WAY more manageable. So first, make sure your cart has some super functional containment items like a tray, bowls for small parts, and palettes for paint.
And definitely include some cleanup tools. So one of the critical parts of the cart is the clean-up side because I like to keep my cleaning tools right nearby where the messes happen so I’m ready when the paint starts flying. And sponges are my go-to clean-up trick. Call me #TeamSponge :) In my cart are a Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge, Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge, and some soap. Non-scratch blue for my table, and green for those heavy-duty messes.
How We Use Our Mini Maker Space Cart
An art cart an extremely helpful and accessible way to store and use craft and art supplies. Whether it's filled with crafts for kiddos or supplies for a hobby, it's the perfect mobile storage solution for all the little bits and pieces needed to make an office space functional - which of course, is what we strive for in any space!
Here are some advantages of having an art cart:
Can easily be tucked away
They are portable-Easy to move between inside and outside or you can roll it around to any room.
Looks nice to leave out (if well-kept)
Items are always placed vertically instead of in a stack which makes everything easily accessible
Helps motivate and remind kids to put things in their designated place
Motivates creativity through easy access as a mobile creativity center
Also functions as mobile classroom during quarantine
Of course, an art cart needs the cart part! Without the cart there isn't anything to organize on or to make it mobile. A rolling cart is key to make this project what it could be!
Next, the whole point of an art cart is to maintain a method to the madness. So deciding what your method will look like is essential. This may be a great time to lay out all of the items you'd like to keep in your art cart to determine what kind(s) of organization bins and stands you need to maintain an easy way for keeping everything in its place.
Tip: Stand everything up (even flat items like coloring books)! If anything is laying down, it becomes more difficult to find and easy to cause disarray.
All that's left is to add the finishing touches and fill 'er up! Try to label each shelf with some basic item info for that shelf. You don't need 5 labels per shelf, though! Instead, try printing a label for inside each of the inserts as pictured above. and a simple label for the side view to know what level to search for something specific.
We hope you just adore your new portable art studio and your whole family benefits from the ease and organization of it.
Now that you know how to pull together a Mini Maker Space or Art Cart, what do you do with it? Here are some of our favorite activities:
Invitations to Create
Invitations to Create are just open-ended setups that allow kids to explore the process of art, not just the final product. I like to lay out a tray before school pickup with paper and whichever art supplies I think my daughter will love that day. That way it’s ready when things get chaotic after school and during dinner prep. And she gets to be as creative as she wants.
Circuit Activities for Kids
We do a lot of electric projects around our house. So I made sure to include a couple of smaller boxes in the cart for things like wire, electrical and copper tape, motors, and LEDs. These little drawers are perfect for containing these parts, but a quick safety note. If you have littles around, don’t leave batteries out for them to access without parental supervision.
Tinkering is huge in our house!! All you have to do is grab some trash (i.e. recycled cartons, rolls, toy parts…) and start designing and building. And don’t stress about the outcome! I asked my daughter yesterday what she was building. She said “I dunno. But it’s cool.” So stock the bottom shelf of your cart full of recyclables and wheel it over to the table to get the creativity brewing. And try this Tinkering Station for Young Engineers.
One of our favorite parts of the cart is the tape roll. It’s super easy to put together. Hop over to the hardware store and get a length of PVC pipe. Cut it just narrower than the width of the cart. Then grab some ribbon or string 2.5 times the length of the pipe and feed it through. Add your tape rolls to the pipe and tie the ribbon onto the cart, cutting off any extra ribbon. You can also use this message to hang a roll of art paper, too.
A home science lab area is really a must-have for curious kids if you can pull it off. We have everything you need to know to set up a home science lab! I can’t tell you how much fun it is to carve out a dedicated space or even a spot on the counter for your science equipment. Kids simply can’t get bored if they have access to materials and simple science experiments that will fuel their curiosity.
What is a Home Science Lab?
A basic home science lab for kids is a small, safe, and engaging space where young learners can explore and experiment with simple scientific concepts. It typically includes:
Basic science tools include plastic beakers, test tubes, pipettes, and safety goggles.
Basic household items like baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, and water serve as materials for easy hands-on experiments.
The lab encourages kids to ask questions, make observations, and learn through interactive activities such as creating volcanic eruptions, investigating buoyancy, and observing the growth of crystals. With a focus on safety, curiosity, and creativity, a basic home science lab provides a platform for kids to develop a foundational understanding of science while having fun!
Setting up a home science lab for kids is easy! However, you will need a variety of things to get started. Let’s keep it as budget-friendly as possible. Grab the free checklist below to help you plan your space and purchases. Our goal is to create an easy-to-use science lab that allows your kiddos the freedom to explore and experiment without too many limitations.
How to Make a Home Science Lab
Here is a quick overview on the main components of setting up a home science lab and getting started with appropriate home science projects!
Setting up a home science lab for young kids that is easy to use and doesn’t take up a ton of space can be a fun and educational project. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a simple and effective science lab:
1. Choose a Suitable Space: Select a well-ventilated and well-lit area in your home, such as a corner of a room or a dedicated table. Make sure it’s easily accessible and safe for kids to work in.
2. Safety First: Safety is paramount. Make sure to provide proper supervision, especially when kids are conducting experiments involving potentially hazardous materials. Safety goggles, aprons, and gloves are recommended for certain experiments.
3. Basic Equipment and Supplies: Gather essential supplies that are safe and age-appropriate. Continue reading for basic supply suggestions below.
4. Choose Simple Experiments: Select experiments that are safe, age-appropriate, and easy to conduct at home. Focus on hands-on activities that encourage observation, exploration, and critical thinking. Some ideas include:
Making slime
Bubble Science
Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcanoes
Investigating buoyancy with various objects
Growing crystals
Playing with Magnets
Observing plant growth
Building simple circuits
Studying static electricity
Exploring Simple Machines
Kitchen Science Experiments
5. Organize and Label: Use clear containers and label them with the names of the materials inside. This will help keep the lab organized and make it easier for kids to find what they need.
6. Documentation: Encourage kids to keep a science journal to record their observations, hypotheses, and results. This helps develop their scientific thinking and documentation skills.
7. Clean-Up and Storage: Teach kids the importance of cleaning up after each experiment. Provide a designated area for washing hands and disposing of waste properly. Store chemicals and materials safely out of reach when not in use.
8. Adult Supervision: Always supervise kids during experiments. Explain safety guidelines and procedures, and be ready to assist if needed.
Remember that the goal is to foster a love for science, exploration, and learning. Keep the lab simple, flexible, and adaptable to the interests and abilities of your kids. Over time, you can add more equipment and materials as their curiosity and skills grow.
Consider Kids’ Ages
There are a few essential things to consider when you decide to start this project! The most important thing is to set up a science lab appropriate for the age of the kids that will be using it!
*NOTE: No hazardous chemicals are used in this article on how to set up a home science lab for kids. Taste safe, kitchen pantry supplies are all that is needed.
Adults should always supervise using any other materials when making slimes or performing chemical reactions that require ingredients, such as borax powder, liquid starch, or hydrogen peroxide.*
Different age groups will need more or less supervision, are more or less capable of handling materials on their own, and will need more or less help when doing experiments.
So the space you choose for setting up a kid’s science lab is one you feel comfortable with if your kids need to be left alone for a few minutes or longer.
If you don’t have a space to dedicate to a science lab, consider an easy-to-reach cupboard near a good kitchen counter area or table!
So we talked a little bit about the space available and how it’s partially dependent on the age of the kids using it. Since my son is 7, I will go with this age group. He is old enough to be independent and only needs an occasional hand to help with something.
He has many of his own ideas but also loves when we have something interesting planned. Because of all the easy science activities we have done together, he is used to the ingredients and science tools we use. He can clean up his spills for the most part, and he is respectful of his surroundings.
It’s essential for you to gauge the following for your own kiddos.
How well can they open and close containers?
How well can they pour liquids or solids without assistance?
How well can they clean up a small spill or put away items they’ve taken out?
How well can they handle a start-to-finish project?
How long does a project hold their attention?
Whether you have an extra corner in the kitchen, a playroom or office, or the basement, you don’t need a whole lot of space. What you do need is the actual science table!
A folding table or a desk is perfect. I picked up a smaller wooden desk, painted white, on our local swap site for $10, and it’s been perfect. However, it’s just as natural to use the kitchen counter!
A few other things to consider are lighting, windows, and ventilation. Good lighting is essential for a young scientist. Being by a window or in a room with a window also allows for ventilation if needed. A window is also great for adding seed science experiments to the mix.
Basic Science Tools
When you are learning how to set up a science lab for kids, you need a few good science tools or equipment to have handy. Even the most straightforward scientific instruments make a young kiddo feel like a real scientist. READ: Best Kids’ Science Tools 👇 for some great suggestions and free posters to hang on the wall.
Safety Equipment:
Safety goggles: To protect eyes during experiments involving chemicals or potential splashes.
Lab coats or aprons: To protect clothing from spills and splatters.
Disposable gloves: For handling materials that could irritate the skin.
First aid kit: In case of minor accidents or injuries.
Basic Laboratory Glassware: Note you can buy plastic variations of these too.
Beakers: For mixing and measuring liquids.
Test tubes: Great for small-scale reactions and observations.
Graduated cylinders: Precise measurement of liquids.
Petri dishes: For growing microorganisms or observing small specimens.
Measuring Tools:
Measuring spoons and cups: For accurate measurement of dry materials.
Digital scale: Useful for measuring mass and weight.
Tools for Observations:
Magnifying glass: For close-up examination of small objects.
Microscope: Allows for detailed observation of microscopic specimens.
pH Testing and Color Indicators:
pH test strips: To measure the acidity or alkalinity of liquids. See our Cabbage PH.
Universal indicator solution: Provides a broader range of pH testing.
Thermometers:
Digital or analog thermometers: For measuring temperature changes.
Electrical Components:
Batteries, wires, and bulbs: To build simple electrical circuits. See our Lemon Battery.
Pipettes or droppers: For transferring small amounts of liquids.
Funnel: Useful for pouring liquids without spilling.
Safety scissors: For cutting paper or materials safely.
Clear tape: For securing materials and creating simple experiments.
Craft materials: Colored paper, markers, glue, etc., for creative projects.
Remember that the tools and supplies you choose should be appropriate for the age and skill level of the kids using the lab. Always prioritize safety and proper supervision! As kids’ interests and understanding of science grow, you can gradually expand and enhance your home science lab with more advanced tools and equipment.
We love to make slime and grow crystals and try out thermogenic reactions, density layer experiments, and other neat experiments.
I prefer to keep the ingredients necessary for these experiments out of the science lab. They include liquid starch, borax, hydrogen peroxide, yeast, and rubbing alcohol. Sometimes we will use lemon juice, but that stays in the fridge.
We have a ton of free printable science worksheets for preschool to middle school! Add them all to your home science lab and combine them with hands-on exploration.
Best Art Space, Art Room, children with special needs and elderly artists
Tips For Creating Art & TinkerSpaces
"Try as much as possible to expose your kiddos to the things that make them happy - the things that make them laugh - the things that make them clap their hands and smile."
Here are a few tips to help create the ideal creative environment: One of my big goals with my art stations was to keep certain art supplies out of Hope's reach... and to have others that she would be able to access whenever she wanted to. That was always in the back of my mind. I also thought it was good to label the containers. Not only is it good for organizing the supplies, it also gave her exposure to what the word looked like, as in "Markers".
Practical Considerations for a Perfect Studio/Maker Space and/or Discovery Lab
Consider whether your space lends to creativity.
Your environment has a huge impact on your creativity, and if it’s dusty, cluttered, or dark and depressing, it will affect how well your mind works, how your ideas flow. Surround yourself in your favorite colors; clear the clutter and organize. Include artwork, family photos, those comfortable things you love. You’ll be surprised at how creating an environment you’re happy in sparks new ideas
Unplug from Technology
Put technology aside – at least for a little while.
Laptops, tablets, cell phones – most of us are immersed in digital technology, and it can be a drain on your brain. You need downtime. The creative process is slowed when your brain is constantly “plugged in,” so give it a break! And yes, this means no Facebook or Twitter, either.
A Quiet Spot
I don’t know many artists that can work and get in the zone around chaos and noise. Most artists thrive in their own space without distractions. If you have a family at home try setting boundaries. When the door is closed… no interruptions. If you don’t have a door and have a dedicated space make a pact with your family that when you’re there, it’s off limits for a period of time.
Good Lighting
The OttLite is perfect for detail work. This is way important to Hope and I since we are both Dyslexic. The power of light. Of course you know how important lighting is in your artwork. But take a good look at your environment. Do you have good natural light?
If you don’t have windows or good lighting try using standard incandescent light bulbs with full spectrum lighting. Full spectrum does just what it says and provides the full spectrum of sunlight to mimic natural light helping you to see the true nature of your colors. We recommend the amazing OttLite, the perfect lamp for your desk, craft table, or home office. With an adjustable shade, the SlimLine is designed to perfectly deliver OttLite Natural Daylight Illumination exactly where it’s needed. Delivering a low heat, low glare illumination, this lamp will help you do what you love, longer.
Art allows you the ability to express yourself in meaningful ways. Starting with colorful tools encourages self confidence and the freedom to create. Explore a rainbow-world of pencils, pens, paints, markers and more. There’s an endless amount of colors and styles to choose from! Fabulous Color and Drawing Supplies
Be on the lookout for small spaces, like under stairs, that you can convert to art spaces. You need a desk and space for supplies, that's it.
If your home only allows for a small art studio, go vertical with storage! Floating or corner shelves are perfect for storing sketchbooks while pegboards with wire baskets are great for storing paints or writing utensils. You can also use a few colorful cups and zip ties on a pegboard to make a cute, budget-friendly place to store markers, paintbrushes, and other art supplies.
Use Rolling Carts for Supplies
A rolling cart holding art supplies can be moved around Fill unbreakable jars and containers with brushes, construction paper, or glue sticks on a rolling storage cart. This storage idea not only keeps all of your materials organized, but it also allows to you easily move supplies around the room and have a mini art studio that can be transported around the house.
Here is what I keep in the up~cycled tin cans on top shelf:
~Regular scissors and set of fun edger scissors with spinning caddy ~Prang groove triangular coloring pencils ~Sharpie highlighters
~Glitter gel pens
~Black and blue pens
~Assorted markers
~Rock crayons and regular crayons ~Dot markers ~Tempera paint sticks ~Watercolor brush pens
Middle art shelf:
Rulers
Erasers, pencil sharpeners
Stamps and envelopes (eg, handmade greeting cards for writing practice and pen pals)
Multi-purpose glue, craft tacky glue, glue stick, glitter glue, single-sided and double-sided tape , painter’s tape, white out
Hole punchers and stapler Puffy paint Oil pastels
Bottom Shelf:
~Jars of paint ~Several kinds of paper ~Stencils and stickers ~Craft books ~Rubber stamps and ink
The very essence of open ended art is expressing your creativity and unique spirit. OOLY’s art and DIY supplies are your best friends when creating original works of art that reflect your personality and style.
Keep supplies organized even if its just wall space
Make your set-up functional. Think about how you use your supplies. For example, place all paper items together. Paints should be stored near paintbrushes and canvases, etc.
Keep art supplies organized and accessible by storing them in clear or colorful plastic totes on shelves, in corners, or under tables. Use labels on the containers to manage and locate all paints, extra drop cloths, canvases, or other items with ease.
Have seemingly infinite rolls of ribbons? One of the more genius ribbon storage ideas is to place them in vinyl gutters. They’re cheap, they’re easy to mount, and the concave design is ideal for ribbons.Take Advantage of Vertical Storage
We also have a paper bin hanging on the wall filled with all kinds of paper: construction paper, magazines, scratch paper, note cards, and colored paper.
Display and storage of art work My kids always wanted to refer back to other similar projects, especially Hope. So her artwork was stored in files. I used colored files, like green for wildlife. She often asked to look at photos. I kept them in baggies in the same files. I also took pictures of her and her favorite projects.. It was great to have that back up when we used homemade paint that deteriorated. Ugh.
After the age of 3, Hope chose her entire project, so her craft supplies were organized as surfaces, tools and materials and supplies. We used open and transparent totes and containers. We kept that set up for years.
Build a travel tote with your favorite supplies We were always going to therapies and appointments and my kids were rather energetic . So we would keep an art kit and CD Walkman with earplugs to keep them calm and occupied. NOTE: Crayons melt in the heat of a car, markers travel much better.
Any child will love their desk if they can crawl up on the chair all by there self, A properly sized desk will make them feel really independent.
I love how versatile the easel is. The whiteboard side is great for dry erase and magnetic letters, but it also has a clip, which is perfect for hanging paper or giant coloring pages. The back is a chalkboard. And probably the best part of the easel is... the painting! We paint about once a day, on average. It's so easy the way we have everything set up, and she loves it so much.
My most important tip is have an exit plan in place - my priority is to typically to paint near a water source, like the kitchen sink or an outside hose. The tendency is for them to just run off the second that they loose interest. Have your artist help clean up from the activity before running off to the next activity. So the plan to have a quick clean up already staged and waiting ….You are instilling habits that your artist will carry for the rest of their lives. (I also keep a wet towel or washcloth near me for “emergencies”.)
If you don't have running water nearby, you will need a DIY wash basin area.
And consider a paper storage cabinet. Kids will use gobs of paper if it is all out within their reach.
My most important tip is have an exit plan that includes clean up before you start any new project. - One strategy is typically to paint near a water source, like the kitchen sink or an outside hose. The tendency is for them to just run off the second that they loose interest. Have your artist help clean up from the activity before running off to the next activity. Therefore we have to start every project wondering when the ship starts to sink, how are you getting out quickly ….You are instilling habits that your artist will carry for the rest of their lives. (I also kept a wet towel or washcloth near me for “emergencies”.)
All artists will be able to take part in some sort of art-making activity. By doing so, they will feel an enormous sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem. However, be sure to choose all activities carefully – gearing the activity to the interest and ability of the student. Your supplies are what makes that possible. So gather up all the crayons, markers and other supplies so you know what you have.
The very essence of open ended art is expressing your creativity and unique spirit. OOLY’s art and DIY supplies are your best friends when creating original works of art that reflect your personality and style.
I will advise you on this one thing. Just get just basic supplies to start with, I wanted the kids to have what they needed. But alot of what I choose, was not used, Don't go all out on something you are not sure that they will be interested in. As they grow they can help choose the supplies that they want.
Consider these thoughts:
Make available lots of modeling materials like clay or homemade dough. This is true for visually impaired artists as well as those who have limited fine motor control.
If your student is visually impaired, gather a variety of textures to experiment with - smooth papers, rough handmade papers etc.
Scented markers are always fun.
Have lots of "big paper" for large movements of the hands and arms.
Finger paint (bought or homemade) is a terrific tactile material.
Dance, dance, dance. Music inspires art so a radio or stereo is a must. Building objects is a great way for artists to feel that they have accomplished something. Try bits of wood, mat board, cardboard etc. You can work as a team, gluing pieces together and in the end even your visually impaired artists can feel their creations as they evolve.
Use a awesome hanging file folder pocket chart to store all our paper and notebooks for doodling. I LOVE how much storage there is in wall organizers ! I actually left the bottom few pockets empty and they will make a great place to store our finished art projects or masterpieces in the making. I hung this easily on the wall with these Command hooks. Artists with down syndrome respond especially well to music, as do youngsters with autism.
