Art for Their Sake?
November 30, 2011 7:01 PM Subscribe
What should I get my niece and nephew for Christmas?
They are 4.75 years and 3.25 years old. They love art and art projects. They already have an easel and (I'm assuming) supplies, including smocks. Any great ideas? Transporting large objects not an issue.
They are 4.75 years and 3.25 years old. They love art and art projects. They already have an easel and (I'm assuming) supplies, including smocks. Any great ideas? Transporting large objects not an issue.
Make Shed has these Eye Can Art kits that I've had my eye on for my nephews (the link is to just one, but I think the rest are in the sidebar).
There's a bunch of other interesting stuff there, too, in the Kids section, but I can't tell what's age appropriate.
posted by ernielundquist at 7:18 PM on November 30, 2011
There's a bunch of other interesting stuff there, too, in the Kids section, but I can't tell what's age appropriate.
posted by ernielundquist at 7:18 PM on November 30, 2011
Seconding Play Doh
Cardboard playhouses are pretty cool. They can paint, color, paste, glitter, etc. them. The sky is the limit.
Cardboard rocket ship or house
Cardboard cottage
Macy's They are on Amazon, JCPenney, etc.
Cottage Dollhouse at Uncommon Goods
posted by Fairchild at 7:20 PM on November 30, 2011
Cardboard playhouses are pretty cool. They can paint, color, paste, glitter, etc. them. The sky is the limit.
Cardboard rocket ship or house
Cardboard cottage
Macy's They are on Amazon, JCPenney, etc.
Cottage Dollhouse at Uncommon Goods
posted by Fairchild at 7:20 PM on November 30, 2011
If you want to go nutz a little bit without spending a load of cash, you could get them each a 10 gallon tub of art supplies. You can get the storage tub from Home Depot or someplace, for only a few bucks. You can fill them with some sketch pads, some paint and brushes, clay. There is some really great clay that comes in different colors that can be fired in a home oven. Millefiori clay.
Any art supply store will hook you up with inexpensive stuff that the kids will love!
Good luck!
(Why a tub? That's for the parents...they'll appreciate easy clean up and putting away of stuff.)
posted by snsranch at 7:31 PM on November 30, 2011
Any art supply store will hook you up with inexpensive stuff that the kids will love!
Good luck!
(Why a tub? That's for the parents...they'll appreciate easy clean up and putting away of stuff.)
posted by snsranch at 7:31 PM on November 30, 2011
what about a dynamic frame for their art?
The frame allows you to open it and replace the pictures, and it stores up to 50 sheets. Kids might think it's neat (maybe check with parents first). My 2.5 year old thinks putting stuff on the fridge is awesome, so a frame would probably blow her mind in a few years.
posted by dpx.mfx at 7:37 PM on November 30, 2011
The frame allows you to open it and replace the pictures, and it stores up to 50 sheets. Kids might think it's neat (maybe check with parents first). My 2.5 year old thinks putting stuff on the fridge is awesome, so a frame would probably blow her mind in a few years.
posted by dpx.mfx at 7:37 PM on November 30, 2011
I volunteer at a local museum doing art projects with kids. There was a type of foam clay that we used for one project that was non-messy and very easy to use. I'll post or message you once I email my supervisor and find out the brand.
posted by duvatney at 9:24 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by duvatney at 9:24 PM on November 30, 2011
I don't know where you live, I am assuming the US, if so I would go to AC Moore or Michael's in your area and buy to your heart's content! The have a wooden stuff area that my girls used to love to buy and paint- at their age we made treasure boxes- you can get jewelry box sized wooden boxes and all sorts of paint, and jewels etc to glue on the boxes.
My girls love Pom pons and Pipe cleaners to make random things- or to make 3d collages. Model Magic is a HUGE hit too- it is by Crayola and it hardens on it's own- my girls made all sorts of animals and characters with that stuff- one caveat place it in zip lock bags once it is open because once it is dried out it is no longer usable.
Etsy has a lot of natural craft supplies including play dough- but you could also make play dough yourself- there are all sorts of recipes online- you can add Kool-Aid or other scents like spices to make it smelly play-dough. I love adding glitter to mine as well.You can get all sorts of sculpting tools to go along with the play dough at one of the stores above.
Origami paper is great too- their are too young to do origami but the paper is great for collage and art projects.
posted by momochan at 3:46 AM on December 1, 2011
My girls love Pom pons and Pipe cleaners to make random things- or to make 3d collages. Model Magic is a HUGE hit too- it is by Crayola and it hardens on it's own- my girls made all sorts of animals and characters with that stuff- one caveat place it in zip lock bags once it is open because once it is dried out it is no longer usable.
Etsy has a lot of natural craft supplies including play dough- but you could also make play dough yourself- there are all sorts of recipes online- you can add Kool-Aid or other scents like spices to make it smelly play-dough. I love adding glitter to mine as well.You can get all sorts of sculpting tools to go along with the play dough at one of the stores above.
Origami paper is great too- their are too young to do origami but the paper is great for collage and art projects.
posted by momochan at 3:46 AM on December 1, 2011
Check out all these learn to draw books. My kids and other kids I have given these kinds of books to as birthday presents have always loved them.
posted by daydreamer at 6:36 AM on December 1, 2011
posted by daydreamer at 6:36 AM on December 1, 2011
momochan got it. It's called "Model Magic." I second buying this! You can paint the sculptures when they're dry. Acrylic paint works well.
posted by duvatney at 1:20 PM on December 1, 2011
posted by duvatney at 1:20 PM on December 1, 2011
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posted by jeff-o-matic at 7:10 PM on November 30, 2011