Toddler art projects are often more successful when the parent allows for a mess and deviation from any planned activity. Allow your toddler to explore and go where his mind wanders to. It would be a good idea to have several different activities planned or simply set out several different mediums; paints, clays, paper, colors, and anything else that may interest them. Allow then to mix and match if they wish. This article will give parents a few basic art ideas that your toddler will enjoy!
Painting is one of the most enjoyable toddler art projects around. There are several types of painting that child can experiment with, including but not limited to: finger painting, water color, and the classic painting with a brush are all favorites among children and the more colors the better! An innovative activity is water painting, which is when a child simply uses water and a paint brush for paint on a design; most effective a chalkboard with a dusty surface. This is a creative painting activity for your toddler and comes in handy when you are out of paint!
Drawing is another classic staple of toddler art projects. The best thing about drawing projects are all of the different materials you can use to draw and create pictures!Charcoal, pencils, colored pencils, markers, crayons, and chalk can all be used has a drawing medium. Place all of these drawing aids in front of your toddler, give him some paper and watch them create! Don’t dictate which ones they use, let them explore each one as they see fit. Art has the great benefit of teaching use tactile experiences paired with visual stimuli; both of which are vital in keeping your child actively involved in their learning. Art projects such as drawing and painting, seem simple, but allow your child to test out the world in ways that they would normally not be able to do.
Another art project idea for your toddler includes the reuse of any trinkets, gems, charms, buttons, glitter, or any other crafty materials. Lay craft materials out on the table and let your child pick and choose which materials they wish to put on their paper. I would suggest a big poster board and gluing materials firmly onto the paper. You toddler will have fun exploring all of the different materials and creating something all their own you, the parent, will be left with a snapshot in time of your child at this precious age! Parents can also frame the piece and hang it up if they would like to showcase the art!
Toddler art projects can be simple, easy, and enjoyable! Remember to allow your child’s creative impulses to be fulfilled, let this be one place where they can be messy and draw “outside-the-lines.” Drawing, painting, and creating are all artistic ways that children can begin to express themselves. The tactile enjoyment along with the colorful visual stimuli, art is a perfect medium for toddlers to begin to think more abstractly and vividly about the world around them!
















