Creativity is such a vital part of learning. When kids are being creative, they take ownership over whatever they are learning. Creating is about so much more than memorizing information. Instead, it requires understanding at a complex level. Creative endeavors necessitate hands-on learning until enough confidence is gained to problem-solve, make decisions, and innovate! Regular engagement in art can help your child develop creatively and even create more positive associations with other types of learning.

The resources in this post reflect our desire to bring creativity and art education to kids – anywhere and everywhere! Art education and creative endeavors play a big role part of learning. In fact, we think that creativity is one of the best tools a young person can have! We hope you enjoy exploring these creative resources as you help your student(s) move forward into an exciting new school year. There’s a little something for everyone: from wearable art,  to art tips, to a back-to-school art competition!

The Sparketh Community

If your child is looking to find an art tribe, there’s no better time to connect with one than the start of a new school year! The Sparketh Community is free and safe (it’s monitored by one of our professional art instructors). It’s also “positive vibes” only: just a genuinely uplifting place for artsy kids and teens to connect and encourage one another!

The Sparketh Community is sponsored/powered by Sparketh, which makes it totally free to you. Art-loving kids and teens from all around the world are welcome to join in to participate in art discussions and prompts. Each month, the community features an art competition that challenges students to create and submit something new! The winner receives art-themed prizes!

This month, in honor of back-to-school season, the Sparketh Community has an art challenge that is all about creating an original character. Specifically, they get to create an alter ego/Variant version of themselves (because kids tend to explore new things and redefine their interests in a new grade!) This “alter ego/Variant” challenge is also inspired by the Disney+ series, Loki, because a lot of our Sparketh Community kids are big Marvel fans! This month’s contest winner will win $400 in art supplies! Your child can participate simply by joining the community at this link and uploading a picture of their challenge submission.

The Sparketh TikTok and Instagram Channel:

One of Sparketh‘s awesome art instructors, Amy, shares seriously useful art tips and ideas on our TikTok channel on a daily basis. Amy is a fantastic artist and she’ll make you laugh, too. Definitely head over to the TikTok channel and subscribe to get daily, bite-sized art motivation that will inspire artists of all ages. You won’t be sorry!

Recently, Amy has also created several back-to-school art tips, like impressive bubble lettering and things you can sketch in the margins of your notes (and more).  It’s everything you need for those all important scholastic doodles!

(Not on TikTok? You can find Amy’s daily art content over our on Instagram page, too!)

Signing up for daily art prompts and inspiration is a great way to support more creativity in the schoolyear ahead!

The Sparketh Youtube Channel:

Another great, free art resource that you may not know about is the Sparketh Youtube Channel. Talented artist, Maria, shares art thoughts, ideas and demos for kids on our Youtube channel twice a week! Maria loves to help get kids inspired with ideas that they will want to recreate at home. Currently, in honor of a new school year, she has been putting together a few special videos that your kids will love.

One of them is a how-to  for creating this pretty and trendy Tie Dye shirt!

In another video, Maria also shows creative kids a way that they can make their backpacks stand out from the rest this year with a cool,  art-centric idea! You can watch that video here (or by clicking below).

Lastly, Maria is also prompting some fun art ideas in conjunction with the current challenge over in the Sparketh Community–she’s created videos where she draws herself in different cartoon art styles! Check these out and drop her a comment to let her know which one is your favorite!

(Also, you know what to do…don’t forget to subscribe!)

The Sparketh Blog:

Our blog (which you’re on right now) also has a ton of helpful resources on homeschooling, art education, and helping your child with his or her art endeavors! Feel free to explore the blog anytime, but here are some that we suggest starting out with (especially if you’re wanting to inject some extra creativity into your child’s daily routine!)

• How Art Supports Good Mental Health in Kids and Teens
• Students Need Art: Here are 10 Reasons Why
• 3 Simple Strategies to Spark Creativity Everyday (In Your Homeschool and Beyond)

Sparketh Online Art Classes for Kids and Teens:

Of course, Sparketh is all about offering kids the best art education–from home (or from anywhere, really!) Our mission comes from a desire to make sure that all kids have access to professional, creative instruction that fits their needs and schedule. If you are interested in making online art classes a part of your child’s routine, click here to learn more!

Our team had so much fun putting these tips, challenges, and ideas together to support your child in a creative start to this new school year. We hope your student(s) enjoy some of the these ideas, whether they end up doing portraits in cartoon styles, creating tie dye at home, and/or coming up with an original alter ego character! As always, keep learning and stay creative!

The post Back to School Art Ideas (From Our Team to Yours)! appeared first on Sparketh.

Paint them timeless with art.

Because if you create it,

It stays in your heart.”

Okay so YES – I know I’m corny- but I just can’t help myself.  I’m one of those people who loves Valentine’s Day. You’ve probably noticed that hearts are everywhere lately because it’s the time of year that we show our love. (Although showing your love is always cool.) At Sparketh, here are 3 of the things we love most!

1. Art (bet you saw that one coming).
2. Opportunities to be creative.
3. Helping you nurture your inner artist!

In honor of Valentine’s Day (and showing our love for the above things), our team has put together some  kid-friendly art ideas that you can try out at home for Valentine’s Day. Below, you’ll find several free art tutorials, online art classes from our course library, and 2 heart-themed art contests that we are hosting this month. We hope you enjoy trying some of these art ideas out at home in celebration of Love Day!

On Social Media: Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas to Try at Home!

Over on Sparketh’s Youtube channel, Maria has been creating several DIY videos that you can use to get creative at home this Valentine’s Day! From kid-friendly DIY Valentine’s cards, to tips for painting the perfect rose, here are some kid-friendly Valentine’s Day art ideas for all skill levels.

How to Paint a Rose in Acrylics

Drawing and painting roses is a skill that every artist needs to acquire! And of course, roses are also on-theme for Valentine’s Day. Watch this video to see how Maria sketches and then paints her rose in acrylic paints. I always love watching her paint, and she’s got some good tips to share, too. After you watch the video, try painting your own lovely rose!

2 Simple DIY Valentine’s Day Card Ideas 

In this Youtube video, Maria will show you how to create two simple (but adorable) Valentine’s Day cards at home! The first Valentine’s Day card is a “Love Bug” themed card that younger kids are sure to enjoy. The second card is a whimsical, heart-balloon card.  These tutorials are not too difficult to recreate, and are great for kids of all ages. They would also make a fun family projects.

DIY Floral Wreath

I feel this project calling out to the mamas out there, and it can be a great family-project, too! This beautiful floral wreath is a work of functional art that you can recreate at home. Watch our Youtube video and then try it out for yourself. It’d also make a beautiful Valentine’s Day gift.

Easy Cling Wrap Art Project

This Cling Wrap Heart is easy to do, but it looks so cool! This is the perfect Valentine’s Day art project to try with young kids. Just make sure you cover those surfaces before you get started.

Heart in Hand Artful Illusion 

Kids will love this one, but so will teens and young adults! Over on our TikTok channel, Amy uses this quick video to show you how to create some convincing illusion with the power of art. Once you’ve mastered it, try it out for all the friends you’d like to “give a little piece of your heart” to.

Online Art Classes that Make a Great Valentine’s Day Gift

We offer professional online art classes for kids and teens here at Sparketh! These two courses from our online library are perfect for creating some Valentine’s Day art. If you’re a Sparketh member, you should be able to follow the links below, login, and get started.

(Not a member? Click here to find out how to try Sparketh for 30 days for free.)

This course, “Valentine’s Day Card,” will explore adding a 3D effect to a basic heart shape! This course is at a beginner level, so it’s great for everyone.

This course (which was designed for Mother’s Day) is called “Happy Mother’s Day,” but it works perfectly for Valentine’s Day, too! Hands are a difficult, but important, subject for artists to master. This course was designed for levels intermediate and up.

We hope these art ideas spark some creativity in your heart for Valentine’s Day (and the whole month long!) 

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