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Learning

Learning from Home

Learning doesn't just happen inside a museum or classroom, it happens everyday at home. Get inspired and create art from the comfort of your own home. Explore the Herbert's collection through Coventry Collections or Art UK and discover exciting past exhibitions on the museum's Google Arts & Culture Page.
 

Arts and Crafts

We are sharing some simple and stunning craft activities with you to keep your children entertained in a creative way. The ideas will always aim to use items you are likely to have at home, and where possible using resources from your recycling bin. Check out the examples below and visit our Crafts Activities page to discover more exciting crafts to create at home.
 

Cherry Blossom Tree

Resources required:

  • White/pink paint (but vary this to work with whatever you have at home)
  • Scrap card
  • Glue
  • Large piece of paper/card/or use card from a cereal box
  • Plastic drinks bottle
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  • Cut brown scrap card into branch like strips
  • Glue these onto the paper
  • Dip the bottom of your drinks bottle into the paint and print along the branches
  • Let dry and enjoy looking at your beautiful blossom tree

 

Loo roll Leaf Print

Resources required:

  • Green paint (but vary this to work with whatever you have at home)
  • Scrap card
  • Glue
  • Large piece of paper/card/or use card from a cereal box
  • Empty toilet roll tube
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  • Cut brown scrap card into branch like strips
  • Glue these onto the paper
  • Gently squash the toilet roll tube to make a leaf-like shape
  • Dip the toilet roll tube into the paint and print along the branches
  • Let dry and enjoy looking at your lovely leafy tree
     

Egg Box Flowers

Resources required:

  • Yellow paint (but vary this to work with whatever you have at home)
  • Green paper/card (get creative and use old magazines and hunt for pages with lots of green)
  • Glue
  • Large piece of paper/card/or use card from a cereal box
  • Empty egg box
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  • Cut the egg box in sections (or have a go at ripping it if cutting is a bit tricky for your children). You are aiming to separate the hollow egg container area from the large pointy bit of the box
  • Rip or cut green paper to make stems for the flowers
  • Glue the green stems to the large paper
  • Paint the egg box sections that you have cut out in whatever colour you want your flowers to be
  • Once dry, glue these to the tops of the green stems and enjoy looking at your fabulous floral art!
     

Masking Tape Resist Art

Resources required:

  • A4/A3 card
  • Masking tape
  • Scissors (or just rip the masking tape)
  • Chalks/paint sticks/paints/felt tips

Instructions:

  • Stick strips of masking tape onto the card, in whatever design your child chooses. Great for geometric patterns, or use scissors to cut the tape into smaller pieces for more detailed designs,
  • Fill in the spaces between the masking tape. This can be done with any of the colouring materials listed above.
  • Leave to dry if required.
  • Remove the masking tape carefully, so it does not tear the card, and enjoy your art work.
     

Wax Crayon Resist Art



Resources required:

  • A4/A3 card
  • Watercolour paints
  • Wax crayons (ideally white, as this adds a bit of ‘magic’ to the painting for your children, but any wax colour will resist the paint
  • Paint brush
  • Water pot

Instructions:

  • Draw an image or some writing onto the card using the wax crayons.
  • Paint over the top with watercolours.
  • Enjoy watching your children’s faces light up as their original drawing is revealed.
  • Leave to dry.

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