Depending on the specific age group that you are working with, you may need to choose a variety of different materials. All children can easily work with art items such as construction or drawing paper, markers, pencils, crayons, glue sticks and tempera paints. Older kids and teens can also try out more advanced materials that require a refined touch such as acrylic paints, oil pastels or charcoal pencils. Make sure that all art materials are labeled as non-toxic and safe for the child's specific age. Another key item that you may want to choose, especially for young children, is a sturdy shape stencil or template. There is no need for pricey versions, instead simply cut out a few geometric shapes from thick cardboard for little ones to trace.
Kids in preschool or kindergarten may not yet be aware of all of the shape names. From basic squares to a more advanced octagon, little ones can learn about geometry by trying out a variety of engaging art activities. A simple shape tracing project is one of the easiest ways to teach kids how to draw two-dimensional shapes. Use a hand-made template, stencil or a cookie cutter and colored pencils, markers or crayons on construction paper. Add another process to this project and invite the children to fill in their designs with tempera paint. As the students progress in their knowledge of shapes, consider trying a collage project using pre-cut paper shapes. Ask the kids to indentify each shape and piece them together with glue to form a very simple picture.
Children who have mastered identifying, drawing and combining two-dimensional shapes are ready to try a more advanced type of project. These art activities combine a variety of different shapes and processes in order for children to practice higher level critical thinking, creative and mathematics skills. Children in the elementary school years can easily create elaborate shape collages and paintings that show off technique and the thought process. Try a shape land- or city-scape in which the kids cut their own pieces and combine them into a fanciful collage. Add in a lesson on perspective and ask the children to use different sizes of shapes in the foreground, middle ground and background as you discuss scale and size.
Older children and teens are developmentally ready to explore more in-depth artistic concepts. Instead of easy shape art activities, challenge the older student with an art history inspired project. Select a style such as Cubism, which lends itself easily to two-dimensional shape concepts. Discuss the style, famous artists, time period and processes or techniques. Follow the discussion with a 2-D shape paint, drawing or collage project. For example, ask a middle schooler to design his own mixed up Cubist collage self-portrait with papers and glue or have your high school student use pastels to draw a geometric masterpiece.