5 Engaging, Mess-Free Art Projects for Kids

Are you looking for a creative way to keep the kids entertained that won’t leave your house looking like a tornado touched down? We’ve got some amazing, mess-free art projects sure to engage and captivate your little ones. From simple doodles and drawings on paper or fabric to interactive activities that use buttons and other materials, these easy crafts offer plenty of opportunities for parents and children to bond while making delightful memories together. Keep reading below for inspiration. It’s time to get crafty.

Art Supplies

A variety of art supplies will be necessary for these projects. You will need scissors, paint, pencils, pencil erasers, watercolor paper, watercolor pencils, and glue. You may choose to also use markers or crayons, but they are not required.

Art Projects

Paper Weaving

This project is great for tiny hands and requires very little set-up or clean-up. Begin by cutting several strips of colored paper into the same size and length. Next, instruct your child to weave the strips together in an alternating pattern. For best results, secure the ends of the weaving with a dab of glue.

Watercolor Resist/Butterfly paintings

Lay down some old newspapers first to protect any surfaces from paint. Gather up liquid watercolors, thick paper, and white crayons or oil pastels. Instruct your child to draw a picture on the paper using either white crayons or oil pastels. Once they have completed their drawing they can then paint over it with watercolor paints which will create awesome resist results as the paint pools around their design. For butterfly paintings, get some thick paper and on one half instruct your kids to place drops of paint in random places. Then carefully fold the other black side of the paper over half with the paint and press! When you open the paper again there will be beautiful butterfly effect paintings.

Painting with Shaving Cream

What child doesn’t enjoy playing with shaving cream? For this project, you will need shaving cream, food coloring and cardstock paper. Place a blob of shaving cream in the middle of a large plate and then use a spoon to mix small drops of food coloring into the cream. Instruct your child to then take a piece of cardstock paper and press it into the shaving cream until covered on both sides and let dry overnight before peeling off onto a wax paper sheet and marveling at their creation!

Scratch Art

Gather up black cardstock paper, felt-tip markers (preferably oil-based), and toothpicks or wooden skewers for this project. Instruct your child to draw any design they wish onto the black cardstock paper using felt-tip markers in their choice of colors. Once they have finished drawing out their design, have them use toothpicks or wooden skewers to scratch away at the lines revealing the black underneath for a cool resist effect.

Origami

Start by either making origami paper by folding and cutting blank sheets of paper into perfect squares or purchasing them at a craft store. Start by showing that just by folding the paper in precise ways, shapes and objects can be formed. The easiest things to make in the beginning are cranes, hearts, and boats!

Clean-Up Tips

Designating a Specific Area

Let your kids know ahead of time that all art-making activities will take place within one designated area. This will help minimize messes from spreading.

Choosing Mess-Free Supplies

When selecting supplies for each project make sure to choose ones that won’t cause too much of a mess (e.g., no glitter!). Additionally, providing washable supplies such as washable paints and markers instead of traditional ones. This will save time during cleanup afterward since you won’t need to worry about scrubbing leftover paint off surfaces!

Lay Down a Protective Cover

Investing in some kind of cover such as wax paper or newspaper can help protect surfaces from drips. Additionally, plastic tablecloths often work wonders when it comes to protecting tables.

Put Away Supplies Immediately

Make sure that after each project your children understand that all supplies should be put away immediately.

Conclusion

Art projects with kids can be a fun, creative, and engaging activity for the entire family to enjoy. However, messes can quickly become overwhelming and overwhelm the creative energy. To help avoid such messes, the five art projects outlined in this article provide creative and engaging activities that limit mess. From watercolor resist to window art, these engaging projects will keep your kids entertained for hours without making a mess in the process. With the help of these simple tips, you and your kids can enjoy the creative process without worrying about the cleanup!