A Fun, Creative and Even Messy Art Party

Now, a kids party is always a good time but have you ever seen a child’s face at an art party? Truly one of joy. anticipation, and even mischief. Younger kids will enjoy simply getting messy while older artists can perhaps find a new outlet for creativity.

There are plenty of places you can go where kids can have a simply wonderful time creating on a blank canvas – but here are some ideas to carry out that true art theme at home. Choose one or two or have a wild time and choose all. When planning, remember, with a little research in your area, you can do this on a budget too.

INVITATION ART

What better way to start this celebration than with art from the birthday child? Have the birthday kid draw a self-portrait with a birthday cake, painter’s palette and brushes. Draw either a new piece of art for each guest or get color copies made and attach to a card.

Separately, type up and print the party details and attach to the back (if postcard style) or inside of a folded card. A fun idea is to present the details like a gallery opening: Opening Day; Gallery Location; Gallery Hours; Dress Code and so on.

Of course, an easier and quicker invite is to order some custom cards online. Keep in mind the art theme as there are truly some adorable invites out there that fit the bill.

Recommended: Print Picture Perfect: Lit’l People Artist (boy or girl available)

Whichever invite you choose, definitely remember to let your guests (and parents) know that they will should dress for creating art – as clothes could most probably (and hopefully) be ruined. After all, if you leave an art with clean clothes, you didn’t do it right.

ART TIME!

Wall of Art

Attach a wide berth of craft paper (or newsprint end roll) to the side of the house or along a fence. Supply cups or tins of tempera paints and various sized brushes and step back. Make sure the paper is tall and wide enough – outreaching little arms – to make sure paint doesn’t reach the wall.

If doing other projects at the party as well, this is a great “warm-up” that keeps kids busy while others are still arriving.

This idea is great to also use for your thank you cards. Cut the finished art into as many pieces as guests and fold. You only need to make sure that the folded piece is the right size needed to fit into your envelopes. Then simply write the thank you message on the inside. To take this a step further, figure out which portion of the wall art was painted by which child and send that special piece their way for the thank you note. Regardless, the kids will get a kick out of seeing a bit of the art the following week.

Clothing Art

Supply some colorful fabric paints along with simple inexpensive white t-shirts, artist smocks and/or painter’s caps. The kids will create something that they will wear until outgrown.

Clay Art

There are some companies out there that will help you organize a fun pottery session. They can bring all the clay and guide the kids to create a free-form animal, pot or, well, whatever they wish.

Find the right company and they will even take back the creations and fire it for you in their kiln. You can pick up the finished art and make sure it gets back to the kids in probably about a week or so after the party.

Beading Art

Geared more towards girls, this idea ends with jewelry… creating bracelets and necklaces. Each child strands twine or hemp with colorful beads and fun shapes like smiles and flowers.

Offer letter beads that either spell each child’s name completely or simply the first initial. Younger kids will obviously need a bit of help, while older girls will probably take off and create unique pieces.

Sand Art 

Find a variety of different shaped bottles (with cork) at your local art store, several colorful flavors of Kool-Aid and dry pudding mix. Display each flavor color in big bowls (the pudding mix is brown) along with small funnels and spoons.

Have the kids spoon the colors into the funnel – that is positioned to pour into the bottle. If they angle the funnel in different ways, they will get angles of colors layered in – each on top of each other. For more designs, they can poke a toothpick down the sides to form hills and curves. To finish, a grown-up can use a hot glue gun to close and secure the cork in place.

CARICATURE ART – Set up a table and two chairs in a corner where a professional caricature artist can draw each child. This will be not only a great keepsake but will also show the kids of a different and fun style of art. The artist will most probably need at least 10-15 minutes for each drawing, so be sure to book him with enough time to draw all guests.

FACE ART – Most kids parties or events seem to have the tried and true face painter in attendance but this party lends perfectly to the occasion. After all, what’s better than using your face as a canvas?!

CAKE ART… or cupcakes! Carry your art theme over to the table. Lay out little bowls filled with all sorts of goodies, like M&M’s, liquorice whips, shredded coconut, sprinkles, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows… well, you get the idea. With, of course, a lovely selection of colored frosting and plastic knives.

Walk out with your pre-made vanilla and chocolate cupcakes (watch the smiles widen!) and let the kids create an edible masterpiece. After all, we wouldn’t want any starving artists.

PARTY ART FOOD – If you pick the right time of day for your party, main meals certainly don’t need to be offered. And, frankly speaking, I try to avoid at all costs. Everyone will have more fun with activities and such instead of sitting and finishing a hot dog.

Instead, offer colorful foods that kids can snack on. A bright veggie tray; rainbow fish crackers; beautiful fresh fruit will do nicely. I would even avoid putting any sweets out all together. They will get plenty at the cupcake table – trust me. Especially, when they think you aren’t looking.

A perfect snack will not need utensils and is easy to clean up. After all, you are already cleaning up after the real art messes.

PHOTO ART – Besides photos throughout the entire party, take pictures in front of the art wall. The birthday child can pose with each guest, holding a painters brush and sporting an art beret. Print off two sets of each – one for your photo album and be sure to include the other in the thank you cards.

ART FAVORS – A wonderful and fun selection of crayons, modeling clay and paints (along with whatever art they created at the party) is a sweet way to say thanks for coming and, later when being used, a fun reminder of the party itself.

With lots of giggles and creativity, remember that this is a truly a fun hands-on party that will be enjoyed, remembered, and treasured.

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“As great scientists have said and as all children know, it is above all by the imagination that we achieve perception, and compassion, and hope.” ~ Ursula K. Le Guin

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Jennifer Wilke owns and runs Print Picture Perfect – an online store with a large selection of invitations, birth announcements and stationery available, along with adorable designs of unique and fun birthday cards. http://www.printpictureperfect.com

 

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