our little family is back from vacation in the woods and I can’t wait to share all about it but first it’s time for the wrap-up of backyard ART camp. I can hardly beleive it is over!
it has been a spectacular six weeks! Jane and I are so excited at the incredible collection of artist-inspired projects that have amassed through this collaboration. so many amazing bloggers came together and generously handed over some of the best artist-inpired projects for kids that I have seen in one place! 
from top left to bottom right: found object art with me; pointillism with Jane ; Christo-inspired fabric scrap project with crafting connections; kiddie kandinsky with my life at playtime ; rousseau-inspired wall installation with the crafty kitty ; collage art with Miranda Makes ; rock sculptures with simple things notebook ; river rock drawing nne with Gypsy Forest ; Gaudi-inspired mosaics with Mon Petit Lyons; Jackson Pollack-inspired art with small + friendly; Rothko-inspired fabric project with feathered nest studio; and Charley Harper birds with tara from girl like the sea
we covered some serious ground, didn’t we? one of my favorite things about this collection of positively one-of-a-kind projects is that they span such a wide range. some take little more than one hour and involve a simple rock hunt in the backyard while others take days of preparation and planning. and yet each one provides a beautiful platform for an open-ended artistic experience for a wee one. and, if I do say so myself, it seems like quite a few moms have a pretty good time of it, too. making art is a pretty universal good time and as so many of the projects have illustrated, it’s also such a good way to connect with our kids.
when Jane and I started backyard ART camp we went into it with a shared desire to bring the joy of art and making to our kids but also to, you know, fill up the hours and hours of summertime that suddenly appear when the school bell rings at the end of the year. and, in a flash that school bell is starting to ring in the start of a whole new year. it’s hard to believe that summer is over and the school year is gearing up again (I know it’s started for many but we don’t get going until next mondays). but the art and making doesn’t have to end! be sure to check out our Pinterest board where we have gathered all the projects and inspiration to save any projects for any other day that needs a boost of inspiration.
and, on top of that, we are giving away one of my absolute favorite books on kid art…The ART treasury by Rosie Dickins. every project in this book includes a mini-biography of an artist and an easy but beautiful way for kids to emulate their style. we’ve used it many times in our house and it’s a spectacular way to introduce artists as well as creativity to kids.
to win the book, leave a comment below or on Jane’s blog telling us YOUR thoughts on backyard ART camp or suggestions for next year’s backyard ART camp. what would you change? what would you add? what did you like? for an additional chance to win like either my Facebook page or Jane’s and leave a comment here telling us you did that. you can even enter a third time if you subscribe by email to our blogs, just be sure to leave a comment telling us you did! if you already do those things, let us know and we will add you to the pool!
hey, but wait…there’s one more way to enter! and, this is the most fun way…link up YOUR Backyard ART Camp projects and leave a comment letting us know what you made. we can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to!
okay, so that’s four ways to enter to win. the linky and giveaway will be open from now until next monday, September 9 midnight EST.
good luck and happy art making!
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Love these!!! Such a fun way to bring nature and art together for children!! I liked both facebook pages
Actually the link to Jane’s fb page didn’t work
Fixed it! Thanks!
Loved your post!
Wow! That is so cool! I wish I was more creative with my kids but I stink at coming up with my own ideas. This book would be great! 🙂
Love these ideas! I try to do backyard art with my kids…
Oh these are amazing! My daughter would be all over these. I really need to try this with my kiddos. We so often incorporate things we find on our journey’s outside in our art, and these are some really good ideas!
These are such fantastic ideas! I just had to share the link on my page too. Thanks for the great inspiration… we can’t wait to get out our art supplies!
It is really great to see so many great projects. I love art both big and small. These are so beautiful and unique! Thank you for sharing them! True inspiration
Loved all of the ideas in backyard ART camp! Wish we dedicated more time to it this summer. Keep on inspiring!
We are just starting an artist study and would love this book!
Love your blog – I think sewing is nice, too ; )
I too wish I’d had more time (and foresight) to do some of these. I will definitely be bookmarking them for days with nice weather. It was a great idea, and the treasury is such a great family resource.
I loved everything, too! The ideas were great and stuff I plan to use as my little guy (and his forthcoming little sister) get a bit bigger. For now, they will serve as great inspiration and go in my folder of things to do next summer! This book would be a great addition to our library so that stuff actually happens next year.
By the way, I love that you assembled everything into a Pinterest board. That was genius. Now, I have every idea in one place and I can come back to it easily.
What about a backyard art camp for adults!? These look like amazing projects and experiences for kids. Thanks for compiling!