If you are missing museums and galleries, this selection of online art activities for children should go some way to lessening the culture void that Covid has left in its wake.
To follow this guide is to ensure that the glitter and glue fallout will still be glinting at you from the most surprising places long after the end of the weekend. Such messy moments aside, this is entertainment for children that is educational, inspirational and at the very least will help everyone while away a couple of fun-filled hours on a rainy Sunday.
Contemporary art inspired creativity for children
- Create your own infinity room and learn about Yayoi Kusama courtesy of The Broad’s family art workshops. Always dreamed of owing a Koons or a Haring? Asking your child to make one is a good place to start 😉
- Street art for the budding Banksy. As tempting as it may sometimes seem, this is not an invitation to give your child an aerosol and instructions to roam the streets. The only equipment necessary is a laptop or a tablet, the Tate Modern’s website looks after the rest. If you prefer something without a screen, the site abounds with ideas for painting, drawing, model making and performance.
- Abstract distraction. Follow this step-by-step tutorial from the Royal Academy to create whimsical, chalk-based, abstract prints. You will no doubt stick at it longer than your offspring when you discover how beautiful (and calming) the end result can be…
Art inspiration for children on Instagram
- The wonderful Donald Robertson uses bright red tape and gold paint to create his signature giraffes. He encourages muffin breaks mid-paint so even if your child isn’t feeling creative you can always just stop for tea and cake whilst watching the maestro at work.
- Tussen Kunst & Quarantaine is the catchily named instagram account that you should follow should you feel like encouraging your family to dress up as your favourite works of art.
Art activities to buy online
- OMY this is good. No pun intended. OMY is the name of the brilliant Paris-based online store that takes colouring to a whole different level. Giant posters of major metropolises with humorous details serve as a geography lesson as well as an art activity and the finished article can be so impressive that you may well want it behind glass for posterity.
