I’ve been wanting to write this post for ages. Process art is so important to me and at the root of pretty much all the work that I do. I am the art teacher at a Reggio Inspired Preschool in addition to teaching process based art to over 50 children a week here in Los Angeles. I realized that I didn’t have one specific area on my blog to share process based activities and articles I’ve written about the subject. Say what?! How could that be? Yeah, it’s true. But now I do! Here is everything process based you need to know to get started at home and in the classroom. Also, I share tons of behind the scenes and process based ideas that don’t make it to the blog on Instagram. Please join me over there. I’d love to connect with you and talk process art and exchange ideas.
I love this quote because to me, it speaks to the idea that children don’t need to be told what to do, they need to be given rich experiences to explore and engage in. Children are capable beings that given the opportunity will continue to raise the bar on their own learning and development.
*NOTE* If you’re thinking, “Meri Cherry, what the heck is process art?” The most basic definition is art that focuses on the process rather than the outcome. Doesn’t that sound good? I think so. If you want more info, I have tons more for you. Just keep reading.
First, some articles and info about process art…
Process Art for Kids – It’s No Mess
Process Art – Why It’s Great for the Whole Family
Art Secrets Every Parent Should Know
Now, for the PROCESS ART ACTIVITIES.
We’ve done a ton of process art but these are my faves. And the kids faves. I’ve starred the ones that are my all time super duper faves.
left to right clockwise
*Salt Painting, *Salt Painting Collage,
Salt Painting Over Art Work, Sand Art
Wood Working with Toddlers More Woodworking with Toddlers
*Paper Towel Art with Watercolors *Evolving Canvas Art
*Painting on Plastic *Hanging Rainbows
*Paint Dot Mural Contact Paper Mural
*Spin Art Rocks Collage Art
*Mixed Media Collage Recycled Shape Art
Printmaking Veggie Print Making
*Pumpkin Decorating with Tinker Trays Nature Table
Shell Painting Reggio Inspired Nature Painting
Tire Painting *Repainting Thrift Store Canvases
Tissue Paper Art Rockin’ Records
Sand Art Stickers *Dot to Dot Art Challenge
*Clay Bowls Building Clay Structures
Outer Space Process Art Water Balloon Painting
Temporary Mosaic Art *Washi Tape Mural
*Super Easy Puppet Theater *Crayon Art Sculpture
*Face Painting *Working with Pastels
*Wet and Dry Chalk Painting *Chalk Nature Painting
Building with Wood Fabric Resist Art Pillows
Working with Tinker Trays Make Rainsticks
I hope you are feeling inspired to let go of the outcome and let your kids explore new materials and new ideas. I know I’ve starred my favorite process art activities but that doesn’t mean the other activities are not as good. I just have especially fond memories of the starred ones. I would love to hear your experiences with any number of these in the comments below. Thanks for reading along everyone and enjoy the process! xo Meri
THANK YOU!!!! This is absolutely amazing! I am just starting to create an art studio in my family day care and this post is EXACTLY what I needed to start it off! So inspirational, thank you!
Oh wow! Thank you!!! So excited to hear about your art studio. Please let me know if I can help in any way and so glad this came at the right time!
Squee! Your emails and blog bring me SO much inspiration and pleasure.
With love from an Aussie Mum & Kindergarten teacher,
Chrissy x
Thank you so so much Chrissy! I so appreciate you taking the time to write me. Kindergarten is such a fun age. Glad to hear you’re inspired by some of these ideas. Enjoy the process ; ) and thanks again!
woweeee! thanks for this! working on getting a home studio set up to teach toddler classes in the new year. your posts and photos are so inspiring! thank you! ❤️
Great!! I’m so glad. Thanks for taking the time to write me. Good luck with your toddler classes. Let me know if I can help in any way!
Thanks for this great post! I know I’ll return to it. A mom to a second-grade art enthusiast, I’m always looking for process based art fun we can do together.
That’s great. I’m so glad. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know!
This is a very inspiring post!!!! I love your philosophy and your creative ideas!! We all need to take chances and this is one way of teaching kids how to do so and to problem solve along the way. Well done Meri xoxo
Kathy, thank you so much. I really appreciate you taking the time to write me and all your kind words. xoxoxo
thanks so much !!
Hello, I’m french so I’m sorry about my language 🙂
Thank you for so much ideas!! How long the kids can play? Do you “limit” the time?
Do you animate groups? for how much? I wanted to propose in France this kind of activity for childs.
What do you think?
Thank you very much, you can answer me here or with my email!
Have a good day
Gaelle
Hi Gaelle. Different activities take different amounts of time. Some 20 minutes, some a lot longer. Some we do day after day in different sessions of 20-30 minutes. It really depends on each one. I would say go for it as long as the children seem engaged. Young children 3-5 often have an attention span developmentally of around 15-20 minutes but if they are really excited about something it can be a lot longer. Hope that’s helpful. Thanks for reading along! Meri
Hi Meri! I love your whole blog. You’re amazing.
Also, I know for sure that I (and probably a million – or, thousand, anyway… other people) would love to have this linky page in book form. Sure, I could go through and print all of the activities, but how much nicer to have it in a beautiful glossy book that I can carry in my hands, and even put on a table with post-it notes and a pencil for my Kinders to look through and mark to show their interest!
Thanks!
Wow! amazing idea. This kind of creative art project encourages kids creativity and helps kids mental growth.These art activities for preschoolers can mess up a lot.Basically, kids love drawing and doodling. They become so enthusiastic when someone is looking at their work. They always want someone will look at them and observe their fun activities. So it is a super way to make them busy and keep their mind jolly.
So wonderful , fun and creative ideas you have here. This is a great roundup of ideas! Pinned. Best, Ronnie!
Thank you!