Assigning art projects that coincide with classroom lessons reinforces learning in a creative way. Dress up a turkey, decorate a Christmas tree, trace your hands on the computer screen for a "hand"-made valentine or draw different stages a caterpillar must go through to become a butterfly. Create Native American rugs; design your own state flag based on facts learned about the state; or sketch characters from your family tree including parents, siblings and pets.
Drawing geometric figures on a computer teaches children the concept of objects' appearing closer or farther away, as well as viewing an object from a vantage point above or below the actual object. Use the square and rectangle tools to draw a three-dimensional box from each of these perspectives. Once that concept is mastered, use the pencil tool to draw a horizontal railing, both from a forward view and using a vanishing point.
Drawing cartoons is a creative way for a child to tell a story. Assign the task of creating a story about the interaction between a caricature and an animal. Teach the child how to draw both characters. Use drawing tools such as a circle for the head and eyes, rectangles for a torso and ovals for hands and feet. Older students can use the pencil tool to draw the character free lance. Divide the page into four parts with the line tool, and create four different scenes using the two characters. Add dialogue either in bubbles or in a narrative sentence at the bottom of each scene.
A plethora of online art games teaches children how to create scenery and insert characters into story cards. For students interested in photography, games are available that edit images and photographs. Children with their sights on architecture discover games that teach them how to design cities, build an indoor mansion and outdoor tree house, as well as design a roller coaster.