Whether it’s at the library, the mall, or the park, every year the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council’s ARTmobile helps foster creativity in thousands of Chippewa Valley youngsters. Here is an artistic idea from the ARTmobile’s colorful archives that are perfect holiday gifts from the kids.

BOOKMAKING

Summary

1. Kids will be introduced to the bookmaking as an art form.
2. Kids will paper for cut binding and pages for their book.
3. Kids will fold a sheet for binding like an accordion, glue each page in the folds of the accordion.
4. They will write a short story for their booklet and illustrate the pages with colored pencils and markers.

Age Level

Project should be easily accomplished by ages 4 and up with help from a grown-up.

Approximate Time

Project should be accomplished in 30 minutes or less.

Materials Needed

• White and colored paper
• Markers
• Colored pencils
• Scissors
• Glue sticks, glue bottles, tape
• Other decorative details

Educational Aspects

Kids will be introduced bookmaking as an art form.

Objectives/Outcomes

• Kids will create their own book with an accordion binding.
• Kids will write a story in their book.
• Kids will illustrate their story with images on each page.

STAINED GLASS TREES

Summary

1. Draw a tree using straight or organic (curvy) lines that reaches the edges of the paper.
2. Color in the spaces left from this tree with crayon, marker, or both.  They may create patterns or just simple colors. The resulting image will resemble stained glass.

Age Level

Project should be easily accomplished by ages 4 and up with help from a grown-up.

Approximate Time

Project should be accomplished in 15 minutes or less.

Materials Needed

• Paper
• Crayons
• Markers
• Clipboards

Educational Aspects

• Participants will create designs using organic and geometric lines.
• Participants will create a design that creates negative spaces in a variety of shapes.
• Participants will observe how the lines of the tree creates interesting shapes to be colored in, and how that space interacts with the lines given.

Objectives/Outcomes

• Participants will work to fill in whole areas.
• Teaches handling of tools and materials in a respectful manner.
• Encourages taking risks because the end result is uncertain.

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Looking for the ARTMobile? You’ll find it at Oakwood Mall at 10am every Saturday throughout November and December (except for Dec. 24). The ARTMobile will also be at the Youth Services Department of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire at 1pm on Saturday, Nov. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 17.