It's the beginning of summer and that means freedom! It also means that school-aged kids are transitioning from having a full-scheduled-day to having lots of free time. I don't know about you, but I have to make a summer fun list to keep my son busy doing things besides watching t.v.

Our summer fun list includes fun outings, science experiments, and of course, art projects! I have compiled a list of eight creative art projects that you can try with your kids. These are all kid-friendly art projects that I pulled from my own blog archives. Most of these projects are relatively inexpensive too. As long as you've got some paper, watercolor or acrylic craft paints, recyclables, and some tape, you are good to go!
Draw shapes on paper, cover them with cool tape and cut the shapes out! This should provide at least an hours worth of entertainment and the crazier tape patterns you have, the better.

Garbage Bots
Make use of those cans, cardboard boxes, juice lids, and milk caps. Assemble your own garbage bots with the help of some hot glue and googly eyes!

Printing with Flowers
If you've got a nature loving kid, you are in luck! Or if you just have a kid who likes to whack things with hammers- you'll be happy with this project. You can make prints of flowers and leaves on paper by smashing them with your fingers or a hammer. It's so fun to experiment with all kinds of plants.
Stamping with Watercolors
Did you know that you can use paint on your rubber stamps? You can cover them with watercolor paints or watered-down acrylics then press them to your paper. Let the kids have fun making patterns- they'll love it!
Abstract Watercolors
This project requires some rubber cement and a little bit of patience, but your kids will be amazed at the masking effect that is revealed when they pull off the dried rubber cement. This one is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Straw Painting
Experiment with different ways to move and apply paint on paper. Let your kids strengthen their lungs by blowing through straws to move wet paint in crazy patterns across the paper. So fun!
Hard and Fuzzy Friends
These projects falls more into the craft category, but I still count it as art. Paint rocks and glue googly eyes to them. Or glue pom poms to a popsicle stick to make some cute little furry friends!
Drawing Game
Have your child start a drawing on a plain piece of paper. Take turns adding different elements to the scene. This can be a purely aesthetic work of art or it can turn out like ours did- like a crazy fun story!

Do you have any fun art projects that you like to do with your kids? Please share in the comments!
I don't know if I'll be able to get Spencer to try any of these, but I'm pinning them with high hopes!
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