Arts and Crafts Activities and Projects Sites

Abrakadoodle Art Classes -
Abrakadoodle offers classes for children ages 20 months to twelve, focusing on process art. Abrakadoodle.com has activities for kids, information and ideas for parents, research about arts education and more! Abrakadoodle is one of my favorites of all favorites!

@rt Sparkers -
An "@rt Sparker" is an idea that excites the synaptic nerves in the brain and stirs the imagination, the very thing that gets kids going on creating art.

The Art Lesson -
Projects that go with favorite children's books as well as famous artists and illustrators. Lots of choices too.

Crafts for Kids - Signs of Wood Co.-
An excellent arts, crafts and hobbies directory. Find hobby and craft ideas with the directory and search engine at this site. They have assembled a resource for hobbyist and crafters.

Happy Tulip -
Happy Tulip offers a page for kids to choose from a list of themes and coloring book characters, position them on screen, write a message or title, and print them out for coloring.

The Imagination Factory -
Find creative ways to make art by recycling junk. Surprisingly good ideas!

Incredible Art Department -
Some of the artsy projects at this site are: Fun with Painting, Dress-up to the Olde Masters, Nature Color, Primary Color Mixing, Painting Without a Paintbrush, Colors for Infants, Melted Colors, Fun Ways to Paint, Foil and String Art, Painting to Music, Dough Recipes, and Paint with Baby Oil.

KidsArt -
The home site of none other than Kim Solga, co-author of our own book, Discovering Great Artists! KidsArt is filled with Kim's art activities for children with free instructions for art projects. Kim offers KidsArt Booklets for children and teachers. There's a wonderful gallery of artwork created by kids.

KinderArt -
Visit the largest collection of free art lessons and art education information on the Internet. When I can't think of a thing to do, I visit KinderArt and in less than five minutes, my art smarts are rejuvenated!

The Perpetual Preschool –
This site was created to celebrate those who contribute to the perpetual education of young children. Explore such areas as the preschool newstand, bookstore, activities and curriculum suggestions. Don't let the word "preschool" keep you away... these ideas work for many ages.

Preschool Rainbow -
More craft than art, but lots of good ideas, especially holiday and season related.

Rainy Day Ideas for Children -
"Even much worse than a storm or a riot, Is a bunch of kids who are suddenly quiet!" Lots of basic ideas in nice big lettering you can read from across the room.

Scribbles -
Scribbles is a place for children of all ages who love to create art. Explore artists and their artworks. Do simple art projects. Enter fun art contests with great prizes! Submit art which may be displayed at the Scribbles gallery. There's a fun interactive coloring book, paint on line, and games. Bright Ring is proud to be a prize donator and supporter of this superb website for kids and their art.

Susan's Links to Art Activities -
Susan teaches children's art classes in her home studio in painting, drawing, print-making, collage, and sculpture and has listed wonderful art activity links. Let's run over to Susan's house and have some fun!

UK Daycare -
Arts and crafts links are featured, such as: Art for Kids Best of the Net, Art on a Shoestring, Candlemaking, Craft Recipes, Craftown for Kids, DLTK illustrated crafts with instructions, Kinderart, Lessons on the Arts, Making Friends, and The Idea Box.

Yahooligans -
Art activities, crafts, and many links to other art sites.

http://www.instructables.com/index

http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/kidsart.htm

http://crafts.kaboose.com/

http://www.mothers-home.com/activities/sherri2.htm

http://www.mycraftbook.com/

http://www.kinderart.com/kindercolor/

Other Creative and Child Related Sites

Kids Did It!
Delightful unique artwork created by kids and produced in a variety of ways to enjoy. Check out the creative possibilities from USPS stamps to tote bags.

Aluminous Publishing's Aluminum Can Craft Ebooks
Recycle aluminum soda beverage cans to wreaths, baskets, Christmas ornaments, wall hangings, pull-tabs purses with full-size patterns, pictures and instructions. Download, recycle and create!

Artsonia -
Artsonia is an online students' art museum showcasing artwork from around the world, including contests, art ideas, and teaching suggestions.

Creative Jane -
I turn children's art into museum quality posters, handcrafted memory books and note cards- for parents, children, grandparents etc. to treasure forever. I'm a mother of 2 sweet girls (ages 3 and 6), live on Whidbey Island and am just beginning to promote my business. Check it out www.creativejane.com

DivaTribe-
DivaTribe is a nice place for us as adult women with artistic interests to find a comfortable home. Read all of DivaTribe's book reviews and join the discussions in their library forum. If you have a book title or review you'd like to share, email them at \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Read a great write-up by Scribbles.Com about Art Safety and Your Child. DivaTribe also has a gallery to showcase artists so if you are interested in showcasing your work, contact them at \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Doodles n' Tales -
Mary Achary, editor and owner of Buster Publishing, offers kids a friendly creative venue to display their artwork, as well as a montlhy literary arts magazine (available for subscription). Every month kids can see new photos of children’s art, as well as poetry, writings, and craft ideas — all by kids for kids. Mary says this is possibly the largest collection of children’s artwork on the internet!

Early Childhood Resources-
Early Childhood Resources, is operated by a great person/author/educator/presenter - Kathy Lee. Early Childhood Resources serves early childhood professionals and parents of young children through innovative training and resources, thus promoting quality experiences for young children. Explore the website and see why Kathy Lee is one of MaryAnn's favorite people.

Homeschooling -
More than art, this site offers fine arts resources with links to enrich creative experiences including art, drawing, music, and dance.

Incredible Art Resources -
Manned by Judy Decker - A gateway to art of world cultures, artists and art styles and art education links. Tune into the Getty resources and possibly joining the Getty ArtsEdNet Talk group. Art Room Sparkers are artrageous! And the interactive site, Eyes on Art, allows kids to build their own art gallery

Miss Jackie Music Company -
Jackie is a personal friend of mine, as well as an educator whom I admire and respect tremendously. Miss Jackie Music Company is dedicated to providing developmentally appropriate books, music and training for teachers, caregivers and parents of young children. Her site shares her books that educate and entertain young children and their parents and teachers. Even listen to some of Jackie's songs at her site!

nancymusic.com-
Nancy Stewart is a Seattle musician who specializes in music for children. Her site will interest teachers and librarians, and has a huge section of music and craftsthat are free to all who visit. Lots of great free information for parents and teachers of young children - including a song of the month (complete with sheet music, activity, and sound!) - and instructions for making and using homemade instruments! You can even learn how to record the freesongs onto a CD to use in the classroom or at home! Visit Nancy and sing your praises!

Natural Learning -
Natural Learning: Print out fingerplays and art, and enjoy songs that will promote learning to read and write. Two of my favorites are Do Wah Diddy Dee to tune of Do Wah Diddy Diddy and The Vowel Song to the tune of Y-M-C-A.

Ooey Gooey, Inc.-
Ooey Gooey, Inc. is an educational consulting firm headed by the Ooey Gooey Lady herself, Lisa Murphy. Lisa brings high-energy, exciting and informative hands-on workshops to teachers, directors, parents and family child care providers. Lisa supports the creation of child-centered environments where children are actively engaged in real, meaningful experiences, not "cute" fluffy time fillers. She is committed to providing parents and educators with the knowledge, facts and research that supports this educational philosophy. Lisa has presented her workshops to thousands. The Ooey Gooey Lady is available for your next conference keynote, parent workshop, staff in-service training or community workshop. MaryAnn loves Lisa’s messages and says Lisa is dynamic and fun — HIGHLY recommended.

Our Kids Press-
Founded in 1997, Our Kids Press is dedicated to publishing and distributing the highest quality children's books and teaching posters that show young children with and without disabilities doing what they love best: playing and learning together in natural, inclusive settings.

Parents' Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education -
David Palmer, Ph.D. discusses the ins and outs of IQ testing and gifted education, how to recognize giftedness in a child, reviews various programs and IQ tests.

Parents' Place Home Page -
This parenting site is a family-run home business offering articles on all kinds of issues relevant to parents, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, baby needs, adolescence, parenting twins, step-parenting, single parenting, children's health and education, family activities, and more.

Preschool Express -
Remember the Piggyback Song Books? Yes, that Jean Warren! Her site is dedicated to helping preschool children obtain the necessary skills to succeed in school. Jean says, "The most important factor to their success is YOU! The preschool years are special years of growing connections in the brain and developing inner confidences. Preschool Express is proud to offer parents and teachers OPEN-ENDED, NO-LOSE activities for helping children in these formative years." Sounds like a winner to me!

SegPlay-
SegPlay is a fun, free, and challenging interactive artistic experience which allows you to color in detailed photographic patterns, without lifting a paint brush or crayon. Its the largest collection of Paint by Number patterns on the Internet!

Sites for Teachers -
What a great jumping off spot for people who work with kids, whether they are teachers, moms, or caregivers.

MarcoPolo

XPeditions

EdSitement

ArtsEdge

EconEdLink

PBS

WBGH

The Discovery Channel

The History Channel

Teachers.Net

Art Supplies, Books, etc.

ABC School Supply-
Few experiences are as appealing for young children as those involving arts and crafts. Talents abound when children explore, experiment, and create with materials from ABC School Supply. I like the people that run this company. They really care about kids.

Blue Thistle Books -
Blue Thistle Books is a family run store that has a quality assortment of homeschool curriculum, superlative children's books, invaluable educational materials, fun games for learning, exciting toys, and cool science kits!

Crayola-
Everyone loves crayons, and I think Crayola are the best. This website has art ideas, contests, products and "inspiring ideas". Encourage flexibility and enjoyment with the most versatile material available for kids – crayons!

The Creativity Institute-
Toy pianos, puppet theaters and puppets, big foam blocks, easels, doll houses, creative and educational toys for home or classroom. Child development articles to boost creativity in infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school age children.

Discount School Supply-
Discount School Supply offers great prices on quality products for early childhood educators, caregivers and parents of young children. MaryAnn’s Favorite products are the arts and crafts supplies, some found nowhere else on earth, and especially Liquid Watercolors. Select from Arts & Crafts, Active Play, Curriculum Resources, Dramatic Play, Manipulatives, Learning Center Equipment and Furniture and Special Offers.

Earlychildhood.com -
They have the very best art products around, like BioColor and Liquid Watercolors. Check out their amazing art activities too.

Elmer's Glue Arts & Crafts –
Find projects for all ages, adults included, with great pictures to lead the way. Projects are organized by how long they take, and also by grade level. Very helpful.

Gryphon House, Inc.-
They sincerely care about the education of young children and I'm proud to write for them. Visit their website for free activities from the books they publish, and to browse their books for people who work with young children.

Henne's Art Supplies -
Check out Henne's, the place to explore all your artistic pursuits. They offer a wide variety of fine art materials for the most discriminating artists. Art classes are offered for every age and ability, with quality teachers. Henne's strives to provide the best service, quality and price, all with a touch of hometown friendliness. If they don't have it, they will find it for you!

Lakeshore Learning-
Innovative learning materials and top-quality educational products have made Lakeshore a favorite with teachers, parents, and kids for over 40 years! From language and literacy to science and mathematics, Lakeshore gives the very best in school supplies, teaching materials and classroom tools for all levels of education.

MicNik Publications, Inc.--
MicNik is the brainstorm of a good friend of mine, Michelle O'Brien-Palmer. Michelle is a creative dynamo with new books and ideas just spilling out of her endlessly! Michelle really loves children, and her books show it. I think her books and ideas are top of the line.

National Association for the Education of Young Children-
Find out about what is best for young children, as expressed by NAEYC, who exists for the purpose of leading and consolidating efforts to achieve healthy development and constructive education for all young children. Primary attention is devoted to assuring the provision of high quality early childhood programs for young children and developmentally appropriate practice (DAP).

Starlight Press-
Star Light Press, a bilingual children’s book publisher Established in 1988 by Esther LaMadrid-Esparza, a teacher with more than 40 years of classroom experience and Thomas Esparza, Jr., a Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, Star Light Press has published several bilingual titles for the education and book trade markets, and is venturing into software publishing with Esther’s Playhouse.Their vision is to publish fun, exciting and quality educational products for everyone.

The Sycamore Tree -
The Sycamore Tree, Inc. has been going strong since 1982 providing homeschool educational services to students in grades K-12 all over the world. Anyone needing Christian based educational materials will enjoy their catalog purchasing service which provides a wide range of more than 3000 educational items. You need not be enrolled in the school to order from the catalog. They provide a free printed catalog, and an on-line, internet catalog. Check them out, and feel free to purchase your Bright Ring books from them. Look into their discount plan, too.