Staying home doesn’t have to be boring. From cooking to reading, there are plenty of fun activities you and your kids can do while you’re in quarantine. If you’re looking for another kid-friendly activity to try, consider doing simple art projects together. Here are four classes your kids can take online for free.
Lunchtime Doodles with Mo Willems
Writer and animator Mo Willems, who has worked on Sesame Street and Sheep in the Big City, is hosting live YouTube drawing classes called Lunch Doodles. Held every day at 1 p.m. EST, Mo’s classes help kids learn how to draw simple things like birds and rabbits. If you’re looking for classes that will empower your kids to embrace their creative side, this is it.
Tinker Art Studio
Christie Slater Hubley opened Tinker Art Studio in Boulder, Colorado, to teach kids and adults alike how to express themselves through drawing, watercolor painting, pottery, and other creative endeavors. With the shop temporarily closed because of coronavirus, Christie pivoted to teaching kids’ art classes on YouTube. “My goal is for children to be able to watch the videos and follow along as we complete art projects, learn some new techniques, work with awesome materials, and enjoy creative time each day,” says the mother of two. Current classes include how to make pom garlands, shaving cream prints, and dreamcatchers and yarn art.
Carla Sonheim’s Kid’s Week
Carla Sonheim, an artist and the author of Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun!, posted a series of six art classes on her website. Taught by Sonheim and fellow artists and teachers Lynn Whipple and Diane Culhane, the classes last less than an hour and require basic art supplies that you’ll likely already have on hand. Lessons include how to draw Picasso dogs and Modigliani portraits.
Thrive Art School
While Seattle-based Thrive Art School closed its doors in 2019, the staff is offering a series of premium videos for free on its YouTube channel to support families impacted by coronavirus. The lessons are divided between beginner and intermediate levels. The beginner videos cover how to draw tropical fish, castles, puppies, and dogs, while the intermediate lessons showcase how to draw lions, water lilies, and octopi.