American artist Alexander Calder invented kinetic sculpture, an art form that also goes by another name you might have heard of: the mobile! Not just for infants, mobiles are inspiring to kids (and adults!) of all ages. Make your very own construction paper mobile in true abstract Calder style and pay homage to the work of this important artist. Remember: it's never too early to start teaching kids about art and art history!
What You Need:
- Art books with images of Calder's work or Internet access
- Construction paper or card stock in a variety of colors (card stock works better, but it can be hard for little hands to cut)
- Markers or crayons
- Hole punch
- String or yarn
- Scissors
- Wooden dowels or sticks
What You Do:
- Start with a mini lesson on art history. Look in art books or on websites for examples of Calder's work to learn about his style and help your child get inspiration for his own mobile.
- Ask your child to draw a variety of shapes on the card stock or construction paper using a marker or crayon. Ask him to name the shapes as he draws them. Is he drawing a circle? Oval? Giant blob? Encourage him to get creative with his shapes just like Calder would have.
- Once he's done drawing, have him cut out the shapes and punch a hole through the top of each one.
- Cut the string or yarn in a variety of lengths, then tie one piece to each shape through the hole.
- Help your child tie the shapes to the wooden dowel or stick.
- Now cut another length of yarn for hanging the mobile. Make it long or short depending on where you want to hang your mobile, then tie it to the middle of the dowel.
- Hang up your mobile, then have your child move the shapes around to balance it.
Now step back and admire your work of art!
By Erica Loop
Erica Loop has a MS in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education. She has many years of teaching experience working in early childhood education, and as an arts educator at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh.
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