In my limited experience as a homeschool mom, I find creating art can be put on the back burner. Figuring equations, phonics practice, grammar, read alouds, and learning the characteristics of a mammal seem to rank higher on the homeschool to-do list. However, as my mom once reminded me, creating is important to little humans. However much art is important to little humans the art of keeping it simple is just as important to the homeschool parent. Today I’m sharing 5 Simpler Art Projects for Fall.
The crafts on this list can be done (mostly) with things you already have in your home. A literature connection can be meaningful and is shared with each craft, although completely optional.
5 Simpler Art Projects for Fall
Leaf Rubbing
Supplies: Leaves, tape, cardstock, crayons (paper removed), watercolor
Literature Connection: We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt or an October poem
Hunt a few leaves down to do a leaf rubbing. Tape a leaf down on the table and then tape a piece of cardstock over it. Using the side of a crayon, rub the crayon all over the paper, revealing the leaf. (If you want a ‘magical’ leaf rubbing, use a white crayon instead of a colored one.) Next, use watercolors to paint over it. You will get a simple, beautiful result.
Natural Fall Picture
Supplies: Items from a nature walk, cardstock, glue
Literature Connection: Leaf Man
Grab a basket and go on a nature hunt collecting leaves, acorns, stems, grasses. Glue and create a leaf man or some other creature with the collected items.
Apple Art
Supplies: Apple template (or draw your own), empty toilet paper roll, black paint, watercolors and paint brush
Literature Connection: Apples or Ten Apples Up On Top
Print off the apple template or draw your own. Using black paint and the toilet paper roll, stamp circles on the apple. Let dry. Use watercolors to create a masterpiece!
Spookly the Square Pumpkin Art
Supplies: Large cut out shapes on construction paper or card stock (triangle, square, circle, oval, rectangle), Crayons, paints, or oil pastels, google eyes (optional)
Literature Connection: Spookly the Square Pumpkin
Read Spookly the Square Pumpkin. Discuss how God made us all unique. Cut out large shapes to use as pumpkins: triangles, squares, ovals, circles, rectangles. Have your children decorate the pumpkins using whatever medium they choose. Bonus: Make Spookly for a snack using graham crackers, orange frosting, and edible eyes. Another bonus: Watch the Spookly movie (47 minutes) on Prime.
Turkey Chalk Art
Supplies: Black construction paper, turkey template, crayons, googly eyes (optional), yellow and orange construction paper, chalk
Literature Connection: The Great Turkey Race or A Turkey for Thanksgiving
Thanks to Glued to My Crafts for this simple and easy craft. Children use chalk to make ‘feathers’ on a black sheet of construction paper. Cut and color the turkey template (or use this turkey template). Cut an orange triangle for the beak and a red gobble. Kids glue the turkey onto the black construction paper and then glue the beak, gobble, and googly eyes on to make the turkey.
Simpler Art
Art doesn’t require lots of fancy supplies or loads of time. It simply requires a bit of creativity and some eager artists. Tell me: will you create art this fall with your littles?