Whether it is free-flowing or geometric in design, string art is an eye-catching form of artistic expression. Kids and adults alike enjoy creating colorful projects. When looking for string art projects especially for kids, try these fun and easy ideas. Kids will enjoy giving them as gifts and showing off their creations to family and friends.
Kids love making items that are actually appreciate and used, and they can make string art baskets for Easter, gift-giving or for decorating the home. They will need yarn or heavy string in colors of their choice, white non-toxic craft glue and a round balloon. Also required is water, a pair of scissors, a container for a water/glue mixture, a stickpin and lots of paper towels. Use newspaper or brown paper bags to protect the work surface. Adult supervision is required when art projects require pins, scissors and other sharp or potentially harmful objects.
Begin by creating a glue and water mixture. Add one part white glue to two parts water. Blow up the balloon, and tie a knot. Have the kids dip long pieces of yarn or colored twine into the glue and water mixture. Wrap and wind them randomly around the base of the balloon. The string or yarn will ultimately form a basket. It does not have to be placed perfectly, but make sure the kids add enough yarn segments to form a string art basket. They can appear woven, draped, twisted or randomly placed.
Next, place the balloon string side up on a heavy cup or another container or holder. Allow the glue to dry for at least 24 hours. Once it dries, use a pin to pop the balloon. Carefully separate the balloon from the finished string art basket.
String Art Shapes that Kids Can Make
The same glue and water mixture can be used to create string art shapes. All it takes are cookie cutters with open tops and ribbons for hanging. This art project is a lot of fun, and even younger kids can participate.
Begin these simple string art projects by gathering open cookie cutters in shapes the kids want to use. Waxed paper or another non-stick material will be necessary. Have the kids dip various lengths of colored string or yarn into the glue mixture, and place them through the tops of the cookie cutters. Have the kids randomly fill in the cookie cutters with as much yarn or string as necessary. They can make curved or squiggly shapes and designs. Allow the art projects to dry for at least 24 hours. Once they are dry, carefully remove the string art shapes.
Lastly, thread narrow satin ribbon through an opening in the top of each string art design. The finished shapes can be hung in windows, on hooks or on pegs to decorate the home. Magnets can be added to create refrigerator decorations and more.
