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Sizzling Summer Art Activities for Families

Ready to let your creativity sizzle and sparkle this summer as a family? Enjoy some bonding time with these fun art activity ideas, courtesy of Columbia Art Center Director Liz Henzey! Plus, don’t forget to scroll to the end to discover upcoming art workshops at Columbia Art Center, open to the public.

 

Suncatcher Jellyfish

Supplies:

Different colored tissue paper

Black construction paper

Contact paper

Scissors

Several spools of different colored ribbon

 

Steps:

1. Take your tissue paper and cut it into squares.
2. Draw the shape of a jellyfish on a sheet of black construction paper.
3. With scissors, cut out the middle of the jellyfish, so all that remains is a black jellyfish frame.  (Note: For young children, an adult should cut out the jellyfish frame.)
4. Cut a piece of contact paper that is larger than your jellyfish.
5. Remove the protective sheet and tape the contact paper on the top of a table or counter with the sticky side facing up.
6. Carefully place the jellyfish outline down on the sticky side of the contact paper.
7. Have fun placing the tissue paper squares on the sticky center of the jellyfish until it is completely filled. (Don’t worry if the tissue squares overlap the black frame. You can trim them later.)
8. Take a second sheet of contact paper and place it down on top of the jellyfish to seal it.
9. Trim the extra contact paper around it.  
10. Cut some decorative ribbon and tape to the back of the jellyfish.
11. You can display your handcrafted jellyfish dreamcatcher on a refrigerator, wall, bulletin board or window with a few pieces of tape.  

 

Bow-Tie Noodle Butterflies in Action

Supplies:

Chalk markers or paint

Black sharpie

White card stock paper

Small bow-tie noodles

Glue

Scissors

 

Steps:

1. Paint your uncooked noodles with bright fun colors and let dry. (Note: chalk markers dry quickly.)
2. Create your grass for your design by carefully cutting the noodles in half and painting them green. Let dry.  
3. Create your design by gluing your butterflies and grass to your white card stock paper.
4. With your black sharpie, create antennas for your butterflies and add black dots behind them so it gives the impression that they are flying. 
5. Display in your home or gift as a gift!

 

Colorful Key Wind Chimes

Supplies:

Piece of driftwood or stick (approximately 16-20 inches long)

String or fishing line

Acrylic Paint

Unusable, old, or found keys (8-10 keys for each person)

 

Steps:

1. Paint the topside of your keys. Let dry.
2. Flip them over and paint the second side of your keys. Let dry. (Repeat a second coat process.)
3. Paint your driftwood or stick and let dry. (Note: You may want to leave your driftwood or stick natural.)
4. Tie a piece of string to both ends of your stick so that you can hang your creation when it is completed.
5. Tie a piece of string or fishing line to each key.
6. Tie the keys to your stick making sure that they are close to each other so that when the wind blows, they will touch and chime.
7. Hang your outside or give as a gift!

 

For More Crafting Fun…

The Columbia Art Center is home to creative classes, programs and workshops for all ages! Here’s what’s coming up on the calendar…