Summer is the perfect season to embrace outdoor art activities with the children in your life.
Art is always important for children, and in the summer, sometimes we tend to put art on the backburner.
However, there are so many fun and creative outdoor art ideas that it would be a shame to let this season pass by without incorporating a few.
Here are some of my favorite outdoor art activities:
Art Sheets
When we have art time indoors each day, I like to cover my table with a sheet.
During the summer, I love to have the children “create” the sheets outside that I will use the rest of the year.
There are so many different ways to create your art sheet, and your children will love reminiscing all year as you pull them out.
My favorite way to make one is by using fly swatters, and allowing the children to splatter paint with them. They’ll have a great time. The mess will be contained outdoors, and you’ll have a great sheet(or 2 or 3) to use all year.
Chalk Paint
This is so simple to make on your own and your children will love it.
Supplies:
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Measuring Cups
- Mixing bowl
- Food Coloring
- Paint Brushes
- Muffin Tins(one per child)
Instructions:
Add 1 cup of water to 1 cup of cornstarch and mix until there are no more clumps.
Then dump into the muffin tin.
Next, add a few drops of food coloring to each cup, stir, and voila! Chalk Paint!
Hand each child their own muffin tin, some paintbrushes, and let them CREATE!
Cars And Trucks And A Kiddie Pool
I love to put some paper in the bottom of a kiddie pool, give the children each a few matchbox-sized cars and trucks(easily found at the dollar store), dump in some paint, and let them “drive” the vehicles all over the paper.
The designs are unique and the children are thrilled.
You might want earplugs because the squeals of delight you’ll hear may be pretty high shrill.
Shaving Cream Art
I give each child a tray(make sure they’re prepared to get MESSY!)
I have them help me squeeze shaving cream all over their tray–they love watching the foam expand.
Sometimes I just let them play in it as is. Sometimes I add a couple drops of washable paint to the foam.
I usually give the children popsicle sticks and paint brushes to mix and paint with.
I also usually use fingerpainting paper just because it’s sturdier.
Painting Murals
If you have a fenced-in yard, or can get creative and think of another way to fasten paper, creating a mural in your own backyard can be so much fun.
Spread the banner, paper, or sheet along the fence.
For younger children, you can hand them some unique items to paint with(twigs, leaves, brushes, balls, whatever you want) and let them go crazy.
For older children, we usually choose a topic/theme, and I give each child their own section.
Some of the themes we’ve used for our murals are: Ocean, all around the town, camping, outer space, circus life, zoo(this was my favorite because the kids got REALLY involved and detailed).
Whichever outdoor art activity you choose to set up for your children, remember to take lots of photos. These will create wonderful keepsakes.
Depending on the age(s) of your children, joining them on their art adventure may prove beneficial for you too.
Do you have any other outdoor art activities that I can add to my list?
Looking for some fun ideas to conquer summer boredom?
Check out my earlier blog post: https://learningisawayoflife.com/summer-boredom-busters/
