Open Ended Art Activities for Preschoolers

Art. It’s the word that strikes joy into the heart of every child- and fear into the heart of every parent. So what are some open ended art activities for preschoolers- and kids of all ages- that won’t make you crazy?

The answer comes in two parts. First, there’s the fact that repeated exposure to art will make kidsĀ less likely to create a mess in the first place. But secondly? It’s one of those things that we just have to pull on our big girl panties and try.

I get it as much as the next parent. I mean, after all, I’m the moron that painted my living room walls with MATTE PAINT. I live in fear of the day one of our art projects makes an unremovable stain on our walls.

But still. I do them anyways.

Open ended art projects for preschoolers give them the chance to experiment, not only creatively but with risk taking as well. Process art for kids helps with improved focus, choice making, self regulation, and even early literacy skills (Source). It’s CRUCIAL that we get art into the hands of our kids- even when it makes us uncomfortable.

So whether you’re looking to play it safe (like with our wet chalk art or collage ideas), or are willing to take a little more risk yourself (like with our baking soda drop art or cork painting), we’ve got the open ended art projects your preschoolers, toddlers, and kids are craving.

art projects for kids displayed; text: open ended art activities for preschoolers

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Puffy Paint Snowman Art

Do you wanna build a snowman? Us too! One teensy little problem though- we live near Los Angeles, and snow is in short supply. So when my kids requested that we build a snowman without snow, I quickly put some supplies together to bring them this snowman art for kids to scratch the itch with some snowman painting.

My kids and I love doing process art projects together (well, let’s be honest- I love setting up the project, and then drinking coffee in peace while they do said art project. Potato, Potahto.) I love the basics, but sometimes they get a little bored of doing the same projects over and over. So I try to keep it fresh by adding in some seasonal art prompts and materials, depending on the month we are in.

In this winter themed art project for kids, your children will use Shaving Cream Puffy Paint to create a snowman (or, if they’re younger, a snow scene). They’ll add some simple decorations to their creations, and, if you’re lucky, repeat the process to take up even more time. As a bonus, you’ll end up with some adorable little works of art in the process. Read on for the full instructions on this sweet snowman art for kids.

shaving cream snowman paint; text overlay: puffy paint snowmen

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Halloween Art for Toddlers- 3 Projects for Spooky Fun

Looking for Halloween art for toddlers? We've got three fun process-based art projects to get your littles in on the Halloween fun at TheSaltyMamas.com. #halloween #halloweencrafts #halloweencraftsforkids #halloweenart #halloweenartforkids #toddlers #toddlerart #toddlerartprojects

I love some good Halloween crafts as much as the next person, but you know what happens at our house? I spend about an hour prepping materials for the craft, the kids spend about three minutes doing the craft, and then I spend the next twenty minutes cleaning it up. It’s MUCH easier to set up some process-based Halloween Art for Toddlers instead.

Process art varies from regular arts and crafts in that it’s focused on the art creation and not upon the product, or outcome, of the activity. Luckily, the products often come out pretty darn cute, too.

As an added bonus- they usually don’t take much time to set up, which makes you a LOT less cranky if you’re kids aren’t into them. (Sidenote: my kids usually spend MUCH more time on a project if it’s process based, which makes the prep feel SO much more worth it!)

So if you’re looking for some fun Halloween art for toddlers (or your big kids, too!) keep reading for three fun Halloween activities for toddlers you can try today.

Spider web painting, Paint monsters, and a play dough jack o lanterns art projects are displayed. Text overlay: Halloween art for toddlers.

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Kids Get Creative with Process Art for Toddlers

Four Fun, Crazy-Engaging Process Art Activities for Kids. Set up these process art projects using materials you already have on hand! Find the details at TheSaltyMamas.com.

If you’ve been watching our stories on Instagram, you’ll notice we’ve been making a real push to get open ended art into the hands of more children.  Process art for toddlers seems so daunting at first- people are afraid of the mess, or don’t know where to start- but they don’t have to be complicated.  With a little inspiration, and a tiny bit of prep, you’ll be able to get some easy toddler art projects under way in no time.

Process art activities range from the very simple (think an easel with little pots of paint) to the more complex (like our recycled materials painting wall, see below). The beauty is that you and your kids get to decide how elaborate your process based art projects are going to be.  The idea is to keep process art for toddlers fun, simple, and creative, and to let the kids take it from there.

So if you are looking for some easy process art for kids, we’ve got a few ideas that you can do this week, with materials you’ve already got on hand. Collect some supplies, bust out the paint, and you’ll be watching your kids create and explore art in a whole new way in no time!

Different ways to paint; Text overlay: Let toddlers get creative with process based art. 4 fun activities to do

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Valentine’s Day Marbled Print Art

Celebrate the day of love with this Valentine’s day marbled art activity. Toddler, preschoolers, and kids alike will all love this process based Valentine’s Day art for kids, featuring swirled paint, shaving cream, and clean-messy fun.

As a preschool art teacher, I have to say that I strongly favor process-based art for kids. The research all shows that the true benefit of art for kids comes from the process of making something- mixing colors, experimenting with lines and swirls, and getting hands-on experience with creative expression.

Your average Valentine’s Day art for kids, with their prescribed colors and shapes and outcomes, are typically not in line with process-based activities.

But.

I’m also a mother. I want some art for my dang refrigerator, gosh darn it.

So I’ve created this fun, process based Valentine’s day marbled art that will end with a product that you can display.  By limiting the colors you present the kids with (pink, purple, and red for example), you can ensure that this process based Valentine’s Day art for kids stays on theme- and the kids will be none the wiser.

shaving cream in a bowl; text overlay: marbled shaving cream heart art

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