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Arts/Crafts for Kids/Questions Answered by Expert MaryAnn F. Kohl
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Tempera paint projects | 7/23/2011 |
| Q: I was recently given some powder tempera paints to use with my boys aged 10 and 4. Can you suggest ... A: Powdered tempera has been around for ages, but most schools don't use it anymore because liquid is ... | |
| Crafts (art) | 6/15/2010 |
| Q: What are some crafts for an 8 year old? ANSWER: Hi, Julia. First, I want to explain something ... A: If painting is too messy, here are a few interesting QUICKIE art ideas. Also, be sure to check ... | |
| Crafts (art) | 6/15/2010 |
| Q: What are some crafts for an 8 year old? A: Julia. First, I want to explain something about the difference between ART and CRAFTS (crafties we ... | |
| community sculpture idea | 4/15/2010 |
| Q: I need help with something. This summer, I am leading arts and crafts at our VBS for 3-10 year olds. ... A: I've done various 3-D sculpture projects that grow and grow and are fun, but nothing related to ... | |
| recycle | 3/14/2010 |
| Q: I'm in the 9th grade and I have to do a project for my science class. My teacher told us it's ok to ... A: I want to think about this...this is a VERY interesting question, and perhaps one of the MOST ... | |
| Scottish craft | 2/7/2010 |
| Q: I found your email along with a request for any ideas about scottish crafts for kids for a girl ... A: Dede, I never did find anything. My expertise is in expressive art, rather than craft, so I am not ... | |
| rubber band painting from MaryAnn Kohl | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: I remember using your rubber band painting technique before - however I now forget if you did the ... A: There are different variations of this rubber band activity. Here are two that come to mind. I ... | |
| Childrens Crafts - 100 theme | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to come up with a quick and easy activity for children aged 5+ (up to teenagers) that ... A: I'm very sorry I missed your question. I was out of town celebrating my daughter's wedding. From ... | |
| water color on paper | 7/3/2009 |
| Q: How can I get water color paint from a child out of my antique book??? Do you know any way to remove ... A: Watercolor paints are pigments meant to absorb into paper. Your book is made of paper. So this is a ... | |
| Art for 9 mos. to 12 mos. | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: So how should art begin with a 9 mo old? Can they do fingerpaints and play dough? What else? A: Some nine month olds are much like one year olds, while others are still like a six month old, so my ... | |
| Fabric Painting | 2/21/2009 |
| Q: Our school would like to paint large banners using fabric paints or felts. A group of children are ... A: I'm sorry, this is outside my expertise and experience. However, I've used Fabric Crayons on paper, ... | |
| free art | 11/14/2008 |
| Q: And well in school I learned that even art supplies should be reachable to children. Meaning if and ... A: "Research shows that children who draw without adult interference do better in other subjects like ... | |
| craft paint/fabric paint | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: Not sure if this is your area but you will still get full marks from me for just an opinion LOL My ... A: Ellen: I'm not sure what "ordinary" craft paints are, but I would use fabric paints just in case ... | |
| PLAYDOUGH RECIPE | 4/3/2008 |
| Q: im a 8th grader that is doing a 'I WONDER' project and i contacted some specialists but they did ... A: Playdough from the book, Mudworks, by MaryAnn Kohl website: www.brightring.com Ingredients 1 Cup ... | |
| Bottles | 10/12/2007 |
| Q: i need more ideas for the use of plastic soda bottles. I did the oil and water making a lava lamp, ... A: I just got in from a grueling business trip, so my mind isn't functioning well. I'll try to t ... | |
| Making a dry chalkboard work | 9/23/2007 |
| Q: I am a volunteer at another allexpert site (banrkutpcy, credit issues) but I don't know beans about ... A: John. Well, I mayh love art and working with kids, but I have ZERO idea about how to help you. I ... | |
| staples and toddlers | 7/9/2007 |
| Q: My son is 2 years old and loves doing crafts. However, his daycare center uses staples in a lot of ... A: I've never seen any trouble with staples, but I suppose it could happen. It wouldn't be much of a ... | |
| Visual Book Report Idea | 6/20/2007 |
| Q: My teen daughter has to come up with a visual book report idea. I told her to select two characters ... A: Well, my goodness! What a fun idea. However, it is something I have never done before, so my idea ... | |
| a real question/crafts for kids | 6/14/2007 |
| Q: what are some cool krafts A: Crafts are projects that follow directions and make "things". Art is more expressive, and there is ... | |
| Plastic Bottle project | 4/11/2007 |
| Q: I'm hosting a late night opening at a gallery and we have been donated a load of plastic juice ... A: I'm more of an art person than craft, but here's a quick and easy idea...well, two of them...that ... | |
| recycled art ideas | 4/2/2007 |
| Q: im trying to think of something to do with the pre-school that i work with and i can't think of ... A: Mariana. I have so many ideas I don't know where to start!! I will copy one idea from my website for ... | |
| Volcanoes/no vinegar | 3/26/2007 |
| Q: How can i build a volcano without using vinigar or bicarb ANSWER: I did a quick search on the ... A: I am so sorry!! I did not read your question carefully about making a volcano without vinegar.There ... | |
| Volcanoes | 3/23/2007 |
| Q: How can i build a volcano without using vinigar or bicarb A: I did a quick search on the internet and found this answer for you. IF it doesn't answer your ... | |
| Making folded paper books with only paper & scissors | 2/28/2007 |
| Q: A colleague showed me how to make a great, simple "book" out of four pieces of paper and a pair of ... A: FOLLOWUP Hi, Disa. I found the book you are talking about, I think. Though it seems it's a bit more ... | |
| Valentine's day box | 2/8/2007 |
| Q: My son and I would like to create a Valentine's Day Box for his class. I want to create something ... A: I don't know about blowing off socks, but to decorate "boy style", try something generic like ... | |
| watercolor painting | 1/10/2007 |
| Q: I teach pre Kindergarten. We love to water color but I have no background in art. Do you have any ... A: Linda: I'm so happy to hear you are doing art with your kids. Makes my day shine like the top of ... | |
| volcano | 1/6/2007 |
| Q: my son wants to make a volcano...we tried the salt dough but it is too heavy, it keeps sliding down ... A: When we were kids, my brother made the "volcano" out of papier-mache over wads of newspaper. It was ... | |
| mural | 10/18/2006 |
| Q: Have you ever had any experience with painting murals? Our school (K-8, 38 students) would love to ... A: Stephanie. I haven't done murals myself, but I've seen other teachers/schools do them. It depends ... | |
| Cards | 10/9/2006 |
| Q: Do you know any sites where you could make free cards on the internet? I want to make a card for my ... A: Carly. I just got the rating from AllExperts regarding my answer to you about making a birthday card ... | |
| Soap flakes/grate'em | 8/27/2006 |
| Q: I have searched high and low for these. I only found a website that sells the Dri-Pak brand at ... A: Leticia: Sorry to report that no one makes soap flakes anymore for us common folk anymore, that I ... | |
| Art for 12-18 month olds | 6/16/2006 |
| Q: Im a registered art therapist who scored a job as a teacher for toddlers ages 12-18 months old. ... A: One thing to remember is that kids this age LOVE repetition, doing the same thing over and over ... | |
| Scottish craft | 2/4/2006 |
| Q: I'm a Girl Scout leader desperately seeking an easy inexpensive craft that relates to Scotland. My ... A: http://www.electricscotland.com/tartans/index.htm This website will search "tartans", that is, ... | |
| Art project with a language theme | 8/21/2005 |
| Q: I am looking for a short project which blends language and art into a make- and- take project for ... A: Liz. This is a bit out of my area... Maybe some kind of a "mirror" approach... LIke, using a word ... | |
| ART | 3/11/2005 |
| Q: I am currently a junior at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and in one of my classes I ... A: Farrah. This will be easier than you think! Go to my website, and many art ideas are free from my ... | |
| holes in painting paper | 1/29/2005 |
| Q: MaryAnn, I've read in a few places that one variation for easle paper is to cut holes in it before ... A: Rachel. I'm happy to try to answer your question. It's simply a challenge to the child's ... | |
| 4 yr. old projects | 11/3/2004 |
| Q: I have my granddaughter staying with me for a few days (she'll be 5 on 11/28) and would like to get ... A: Jeanne... Oh, my. There are so many wonderful fun things to do with this age! Take a walk looking ... | |
| parents | 7/30/2004 |
| Q: How do you convince parents to be more open with children's art? A: You start by telling them about "process not product", and then invite them to view the difference ... | |
| drying leaves | 7/29/2004 |
| Q: My grandson asked us to send him some leaves from the trees in our area. I thought I recalled a way ... A: Mary. Yes, you can iron leaves between waxed paper...place a sheet of white paper or newsprint on ... | |
| teaching art | 7/2/2004 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could give me suggestions on giving art lessons to a twelve year old. I am ... A: The only suggestion I have is to purachase a book called Emphasis Art: A Qualitative Art Program ... | |
| boredom | 7/1/2004 |
| Q: AND I'AM FOURTEEN. I NEVER HAVE ANYTHING TO DO. I MAINLY GO ON THE COMPUTER AND RIDE MY BIKE SEE IM ... A: I think if you are 14 you should think about doing things with younger kids and helping them to ... | |
| thanx for the idea | 6/22/2004 |
| Q: its me again.the ideas were great (playdough and books)but I'm wondering if you have more ideas so I ... A: I think you need to investigate some of the websites available for lesson plans...I'm glad you liked ... | |
| any suggestion? | 6/21/2004 |
| Q: I'm 18 years old girl and I love kids.recently I got my diploma and wanted to work in a ... A: Eli, I used to be a kindergarten teacher, so I find your question intesting. I'm actually not ... | |
| Hi. I was wondering if there... | 5/25/2004 |
| Q: I was wondering if there is anyway to write on a bathing suit; maybe using a fabric marker or ... A: Go to a craft and hobby store, like Michaels, and buy some fabric paint. The squeeze-on kind should ... | |
| Research on open-ended art for preschoolers | 5/10/2004 |
| Q: MaryAnn, First, I absolutely LOVE your "First Art" book! I am teaching a 2 year old preschool ... A: Mary Jane. What a great note from you! I'm glad you like First Art....and that your kids do too. I ... | |
| Do you know anything about... | 4/22/2004 |
| Q: Do you know anything about papier mache? If so, what should I make my armature out of? I've never ... A: The size of the armature depends on your ultimate goal. If very small, a balloon or lightbulb will ... | |
| ideas | 1/12/2004 |
| Q: I have been teaching for 23 yrs. in Christian schools all over the country. I wound up here in ... A: Joe. Thank you for your kind words! I needed them today. :o) My books are on my website ... | |
| craft classes | 7/17/2002 |
| Q: I am very interested in opening my home to students who are interested in arts and crafts. I'm ... A: Cheryl. Wow. There are just Soooo many places to find ideas. One is my own website, where you can ... | |
| Crafts for a teen boy | 7/2/2002 |
| Q: My nephew is a creative, artistic young man, and he is always looking for new ideas. Right now, he ... A: Marie. I'm not very tuned in to teenage art projects, and especially crafts. I'm sorry I can't help. ... | |
| activities with kids | 4/19/2002 |
| Q: Where can I find activities that parents of children under 3 yrs old can do with their kids. I work ... A: Wow, Patricia, I hardly know where to begin! Here are a few suggestions: 1. Go to the website, ... | |
| Decoupage or Mod Podge | 11/12/2001 |
| Q: My 10 year old niece is working on a mod podge project for Christmas and we wanted to know could we ... A: Anna Marie. I have never modpodged on a slick prepared surface, but I have a feeling that it would ... | |
| art homework | 9/23/2001 |
| Q: I have a art home work where i have to make the word RECYCLE out of recycled materials, by either ... A: Emma, What a cool project! I'm in the middle of moving today to a new house, so I don't really have ... | |
Arts/Crafts for Kids
Answers by Expert:
MaryAnn F. Kohl
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am an expert in anything about art for children, but not crafts. I have written over ten books of art ideas for kids, using materials found commonly in most homes. I like easy ideas! maryann@brightring.com MaryAnn F. Kohl, author
Experience
began writing in 1985 after teaching elementary aged kids for ten years
Organizations
NAEYC
Publications
Parenting, Fisher-Price, Donna's Day, Scholastic, others
Education/Credentials
I've been writing and teaching and publishing and giving workshops and trainings and and and for 25 years non-stop.
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