Roll up your sleeves for some artsy fun this week!! Art is a great way to engage with your host kids and have a great time together!

• Have your host kids draw a self portrait or draw each other!
• Check out some cool magic color transfer ideas!
• Make colorful paper fans!
• Raid your recycling bin for some artistic options. Use your designs further to make cool photographs or brush paint on the edges and then press onto paper!
• Make your own sidewalk chalk paint!
• Try your hand at balloon art painting! For variety, how about using small balls?
• Playing with ice?
• How about incorporating a bit of math into your art activities?
• Check out Johanna Basford’s Inky Art tutorials.
• Make coffee filter butterflies out of coffee filters.
• Try painting with cardboard and acrylics.
• Use different pasta shapes and air dry clay to create interesting patterns.
• Create a tree using paper, toilet paper rolls and paint!
• Play with textures by using a rolling pin, yarn and paint!
• Use egg cartons and straws or sticks to create 3 dimensional flowers.
• Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center Art Lab Projects.
• Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center Doodle of the Day prompts.

For more great art ideas, check out the Au Pair in America Pinterest board!

The National Art Gallery has a wonderful option for kids. NGA kids interactives offer an entertaining and informative introduction to art and art history. Featuring a variety of art-making tools that encourage exploration and creativity, these computer-based activities are suitable for all ages. You can learn about each program by clicking on the associated thumbnail image. Download the Art Zone or NGAkids App applications to your Macintosh or Windows-based computer, or order the free CDs. There is also an iOS version of the NGAkids App for iPad.

Virtual Field Trip:

• #MetKids is a digital feature made for, with, and by kids. Explore The Met with our interactive map and watch behind-the-scenes videos that feature kids just like you. With fun facts and creative projects for the galleries or at home, #MetKids has been inspired, tested, and approved by real kids ages 7–12.
• Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center has several tour options –Educational Wildlife Tiles – Visit the Children’s Overlook in the Demas Family Discovery Garden, and view the ceramic tiles made by Southern Maryland artist, Parran Collery. The tiles feature birds, butterflies, and flowers that can be seen at the Garden.  Tour the first floor    Tour the second floor

  Tour the Garden – Enjoy a walk along our wooded path and discover sculptures from our permanent collection on loan from the Smithsonian and The National Gallery of Art and other surprises along the way. Tour the Garden here.

Art work by Sarah, age 7