Chalk isn't just for chalk boards and sidewalks when preschoolers get the chance to brighten it up for some paper. Soak sticks of chalk in a solution of 1/3 cup sugar dissolved into 1 cup of water to help prevent smudging and brighten the colors. Give preschoolers sheets of black paper and cotton balls before setting them free to smudge and smear the chalk over the paper to create designs, shapes or even just interesting color combinations. Preschoolers will never get the same design twice as the chalk blends in different ways with each picture.
Encourage preschoolers to work together when you give the whole class the chance to create a sculpture out of just one lump of clay. Find a table where multiple children can work and let them shape the clay into whatever they desire. Avoid giving preschoolers a goal as they decide how to shape the clay to keep the project student-centered and focused on the process instead of the product. Students can use wet sponges to smooth the clay as they work and use wooden sticks, forks and knives to create intricate designs. After the clay is dried, continue the project by letting preschoolers work together to paint their creation before they share it with you.
Save the Earth while you create artwork with your preschoolers. Ask students to bring in clean, empty cereal, cracker, cookie or tissue boxes and then given them glue, scissors and paints. Preschoolers practice their fine and gross motor skills as they cut doors and windows into the boxes and glue them together to create houses, schools, boats and cars out of the recycled boxes. Let preschoolers come up with their own ideas and even tear down and rebuild their box houses over and over again as they get another urge to create. Watch as preschoolers take the initiative to use scraps to make people or animals to play in their new neighborhoods.
When you need a simple, not-too-messy art activity for preschoolers, pass out cups of paint and sheets of paper. Ask preschoolers to fold the paper in half and then drip paint just on one side of the paper. Fold and press the paper and watch as a unique design appears every single time. Preschoolers may be surprised to find symmetrical designs or butterfly shapes on their unfolded papers, but will also be thrilled to see a different color combination and paint design every time they fold and press.
Work on fine motor skills with preschoolers as they use their imagination to create intricate buildings and designs using toothpicks and dried, soaked beans, mini-marshmallows or small bits of clay. Preschoolers can explore balance and structure as they try to keep their new creations upright. Let the buildings dry overnight before moving. Remind students that their toothpick buildings do not need to be realistic and encourage them to create the framework for imaginative space ships, futuristic cars or just free-form structures.