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Monday, June 13, 2011

Summer Art Camp at Home

Last week we had our own art camp at home!  :)

My best friends daughter is an amazing artist, and so she came and stayed with us for a few days.  The girls had a blast.  I think it's a great way to pass a week in the summer for your kids.  It takes a few days of planning, but there are so many amazing web sites and blogs full of art projects for kids that it doesn't take too long.

They did lots and lots of drawing, coloring, and painting...
This day I had planned for them to do this project.  But after they had painted their canvases and punched out their butterflies, they wanted to do "their own thing".  :)
They made lots and lots of clay.  Both of them did Christmas themed items...snowmen and gingerbread houses.  I had ideas for them, but they wanted to do their own thing.
Mosaics!  I gave them free-for-all into my mosaic box.  It is full of broken tiles, coffee mugs, old plates, and glass beads.  This project requires extreme one-on-one parent attention, mostly for safety issues.  They needed help with the nippers.  But wow, they turned out very cool!

This was really cool!  I had no intention of teaching them how to sew, but after watching me work on Pillow for Davis, they really wanted to make their own pillows.  They were very proud of these.
Here are a few of my tips for having art camp at home:
-Have projects planned out with instructions ready
-Make sure you have all supplies necessary and organized
-Be prepared to be right there with them if they need you, but also give them freedom and room
-Remember every child is different.  Some will want to do the projects "by the book", some will want to do it "their way".  There is nothing wrong with either way :)
-Try not to take over and make it perfect.
-If you are working with more than one child, have coloring books or drawing paper nearby in case one finished before the other
-We set up a table in another room for the few days of "camp".  I wanted the table and supplies accessible to them without it all being on the kitchen table

We will definitely do this next summer!  I already have a running list of projects...
Happy Monday everyone!

Linking up here:)
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9 comments:

Unknown said...

such fun!!

Jill said...

that's awesome! what blessed little girls!

Artsy Matilda said...

Oh my gosh! How wonderful! I still remember my momma teaching me how to sew (but I was a 3rd grader I think). Those are awesome memories for those sweet girls - not to mention great skills! You are so impressive with your fun meter for your beautiful children! I hope y'all continue to have a marvelous summer! xoxo

katie purcell said...

LOVE YOUR BLOG AND YOUR WORK.
I GOT MY 2 KINGS 20:5 PICTURE TODAY AND AM SENDING IT OFF TO A DEAR FRIEND BATTLING CANCER.
KEEP CREATING FOR HIS GLORY.

Jami said...

What a fantastic idea! I LOVE the pillows!

A Little Of A Lot said...

Great idea. I may have to do that here, though with my youngest I feel like everyday is 'Art Camp' day, she's always doing something creative, maybe doing a different medium a day for a week would be fun though. Thanks for the idea :)

amy jupin said...

you inspire me.

Twinfibers said...

That looks like so much fun! :)

Ruth said...

I remember doing something like this when my daughter was younger. Enjoy each moment. It goes by too quickly.

Ruth