I don’t always do the best at incorporating arts and crafts into our schedule, but I have found two resources that make it super easy for me to do so! Both require minimal materials and preparation– and my kids love to do them!

Draw Write Now Books

We got a set of Draw Write Now books and have really enjoyed using them. Since it is fall, I picked Draw Write Now, Book 2. This book shows how to draw Christopher Columbus, autumn, and weather scenes. There are also sentences that go along with each picture. Children can use it as copywork or as a springboard for creative writing. We like to pair our drawings with the free printables that 1+1+1=1 created to go along with the book.

Materials needed:

drawing paper

pencil

colored pencils

 In order not to forget to pull this book out, I have everything in a bin— the book, paper and pencils. It is set out so that my girls can use it on their own when they feel like it. I also printed out the copywork pages and include a couple of those during our writing time during the month.

Chalk Pastels

Ever since we started with Nana’s chalk tutorials from Hodgepodge, my kids have been hooked! I love it because it is art that all ages can do at one time on their level. Because my kids are using a different tool other than crayons or colored pencils, they feel like this is a special art time!

Materials Needed:

paper (we purchased a heavier weight paper)

Chalk Pastels

Fall Chalk Pastels ebook (only $4.99) #afflink (there are other chalk ebook editions too! Check them out!)

I have the ebook on my iPad and place it on the table so the kids can view the steps. It is easy enough for them to follow pretty much on their own. I will often pull out our chalk pastels and bring them to the kitchen table while I’m prepping dinner or washing dishes. That way I can help when needed and see what they are doing. All of my kids enjoy these lessons. Yes, my 2yr. old’s pumpkins look more like spiders, but she feels like a big kid when we let her do the same lesson as the older kids. The younger kids are also learning how to care for chalk and how to fill up space on a paper. They love it!

**Right now HodgePodge is having a 10 day series on Art for All Ages: 10 Days of Tutorials and Tips. You’ll want to follow that for sure!

Odds and Ends Art Drawer

We also have an odds and ends craft drawer. The kids know that anything in there is fair game to use. The girls will often pull things out and make their own collages. They are really on a collage kick right now. The other day my 5 year old even glued crayons, pencils, and lids  all over her paper. 🙂 I did encourage her not to glue the pencils though. We never can find one when we need one. 😉

So what are some ways you incorporate art  into your schedule?

Check out my arts and crafts Pinterest board for even more inspiration!