By Christina Soriano, www.christinasorianodesigns.com

It’s almost time for nieces and nephews to go back to school! Here are five fun and educational art projects to get those kiddos excited about learning!

1. Pattern Play
 
Work together and create patterns on paper or fabric using everyday items like cut-up paper towel rolls, sponges, or corks. You’ll need tempera or fabric paint and a tray to spread the paint out on. Take each object and stamp away. Make sure to cover your work surface with newspaper! You can discuss how patterns can be created using color or shape.
 
2. Nature or Architecture Walks (with drawing and writing journals)
 
I love the draw and write journal from Lakeshore learning. There are spaces to write and draw on each page. Stop at their favorite neighborhood spots to create illustrations and write a story about each place.
 
3. Photography Day
 
Even though kids these days are attached to their video games and iPads, there is something magical about holding a real camera, well at least something that resembles one! I love making the mundane sort of like a field trip. Going to the drugstore to get a disposable camera can be really fun! You can describe it as some sort of old magical device that saves pictures which are developed later. Kids love pressing buttons and seeing how their work is printed on paper. Have your niece or nephew help pay at the cash register; kids love jobs like that!

4. Read Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain: A Nandi Tale by Verna Aardema (and make a rain stick)
 
Read this engaging folktale about a boy who brings rain to a drought-stricken place. You can look at maps or globes together and show that Kapiti Plain is a real place in Kenya. Creating a conversation about the role of a rain stick and how people from all over the world practice all kinds of unique traditions opens up their understanding of different people and places.

You’ll need:

-Paper towel tube
-Small Brass fasteners (You’ll stick these through the tube.)
-Colored tape, paint, or scrap paper depending how you want to embellish the exterior of the tube.
-Markers
-Cardboard and masking tape to enclose the ends of the tube
-Rice, dried beans, or unpopped popcorn
 
5. Read Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni (and create crepe paper collages)

My nephew is almost 4, so just about anything is fascinating to him! I pre-cut small squares of crepe paper so they would be easy for him to pick up and glue. The great part of using this material is that it is slightly transparent, which helps to show how colors can mix when you overlap the paper.
 
Want to be extra savvy? Take playing with LEGO(R) a step further and create wood constructions!

Go to a local hardware store like Home Depot and get pre-sanded wood scraps that are small enough for your niece or nephew to hold. Local art or craft stores should sell these, too. You’ll also need wood glue and a glue brush to attach the pieces. Or use a glue gun, but make sure to be extra careful and supervise their use – no burned fingers please! Once the construction is dry, paint it together. The act of building is full of trial and error. Use the process as a way to teach problem-solving. You can also talk about how flat shapes are different than 3D forms. Don’t forget to have fun, too!
 
Christina Soriano is an artist and K-5 art specialist in New York City. Her nephews are Simon and Benny, the most adorable boys on the Upper West Side! Learn more about her at www.christinasorianodesigns.com or follow on twitter @sorianodesigns.

Photo: photomyheart
Published: August 27, 2013