Kids can discover new and different textures, or think more clearly about the ones they already know, by playing a simple guessing game. Choose a variety of art objects that you would typically use for projects and process activities. These may include different types of papers such as tissue or card stock, felt, quilting fabric, craft foam, pompoms, chenille stems, craft sticks, modeling clay balls, sand paper or even beads and sequins. Place the items in a bag. Ask a child to place his hand in the bag, without looking first, and pick up one art item at a time. After feeling the item, the child can name the texture (such as smooth, bumpy, rough) and guess what the art material is.
How many textures can one child create? Play an imaginative art game with your child or students, helping them to design a work of art that features the most textures possible. Provide the child with a variety of art materials that have different textures. Use fabrics, felt, glue, paper, tissue, paints, glitter, craft sand and more or ask the child to search around the house (or studio art room) for materials to create with. Give the child a sturdy piece of cardboard that is cut into a rectangle of at least 8 by 10 inches. Encourage the child to layer the different textured materials, creating an abstract masterpiece. After the work is complete, feel and count the different textures.
Take a trip to the local art museum or gallery, and play a texture-viewing game with your child or students. Paintings, sculptures, collages and other artistic creations come in many different textures. Although you may not be able to actually feel the textures of museum masterpieces, you can play an art game trying to pick and choose what the works might feel like. Ask a child to look at the painting, sculpture or other artwork and list what textures she sees. For example, a heavily layered painting might look as if it feels bumpy or rough, while a realistic oil portrait can appear smooth.
Match up textures for an entertaining and educational art game on the senses. Give the child at least five different art pictures or postcards that feature reproductions of work with texture. You can purchase these online or at many museum gift shops. Choose a variety of images that feature objects or items that may be furry, smooth, bumpy or rough looking. Younger kids may enjoy pictures of soft, silky animals while older children may be more interested in portraits or even architectural images. Provide the child with several different textured objects that match the pictures. For example, if you have a picture of a rabbit, choose a matching piece of craft fur. Ask the child to feel the items and match them to the correct work of art.