Family art projects have several benefits. They’re a fantastic way for families to bond, as everyone shares in the joy and imaginative power of creating something together. They’re an excellent way for kids of all ages to sharpen their skills, develop their creativity, and spark a life-long appreciation of art. And best of all, family art projects create enduring pieces of collaborative art that you can cherish and share for decades to come.
This article aims to inspire you to start your own family art project. The process is easy, inclusive, and requires minimal setup. As a family, visit a store with a huge selection of art supplies and gather what you need. Then, schedule a couple of hours on the weekend to collaborate.
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To get the ball rolling, here are four ideas for your first project!
Collaborative Canvas Painting
This is a classic family art project for a reason. It’s straightforward, easy to execute, and the results are always entertaining.
With a collaborative canvas painting, each family member contributes to a single large canvas, adding their own colours and designs. You can choose a theme (like “summer fun,” “dinosaurs,” or whatever the family is into right now) or opt for a “freestyle approach.” The results will be a mish-mash of styles and images that perfectly embody your family – a true testament to everyone’s creative vision.
Display the finished artwork in the living room or front hallway. Be sure to sign the family name on the bottom of the canvas so guests know who to compliment!
DIY Family Portraits
DIY family portraits are a unique, quirky (and often uproariously funny) alternative to the traditional family gallery of photographs.
Sitting in a circle at the table, have each person draw or paint another family member. Set a timer for a reasonable amount of time (let’s say one hour), and allow each person total creative freedom to capture their chosen family member. When the timer finishes, everyone turns around their canvas for the big reveal.
For a funny family video, film the reveal and capture everyone’s surprised faces. Then, frame and display the portraits together on the mantel.
Nature Collage Creations
Nature collages are fun because they encourage the whole family to get outside, interact with nature, and learn new things about the local environment.
Start by gathering leaves, flowers, and other natural items in a large tote or bag. You can press flowers and leaves in a heavy book, or keep their structure as-is for a more 3-dimensional effect. Then, working together at home, create unique collages or mandalas that combine your findings. Glue them to a large sheet of paper or arrange them in the hollow side of a canvas board. For extra help, this article details how to preserve and prepare various nature supplies to remove pests or dirt.
Story Stones for Family Tales
This art project comes courtesy of indigenous storytelling traditions, in which different symbols, characters, or scenes are drawn on small stones and used to tell communal stories.
Forage for a few smooth stones in your local area, then prep your painting area with various paint sets and brushes. Encourage each family member to create a stone to add to an evolving family story. Keep the finished artwork in a special basket for family storytelling nights.
This is a family art project you can keep building over the years, adding characters, items, and designs to the storytelling basket and developing new tales.
With a quick visit to an art supply store (online or in-person) and some collaborative imagination, you can supercharge your family time, creating lasting memories and artistic keepsakes.
