We love Art!!!

Art can be free and fun.  Children 5 and under get to know the world through their senses.  So it is up to us as parents to help them develop their senses and teach them about the world around them.  There are several museums that allow entrance into their facility for free on certain days and/or sign up for a kid membership.

LACMA free general admission to anyone 17 and under as well as one accompanying adult.  The NexGen program that LACMA offers also host art classes.  These art classes are free and fun.  Below are LACMA art classes day and time and what class they will be offering.


Crazy About ColorAugust 7, 14, 21, 28
What colors are you crazy about? Artists like Mark Rothko or Sam Francis loved to play with color in their paintings. Be inspired by their work in LACMA's permanent collection to express yourself in bright and bold artist-led workshops.
LATCC | Free, no reservations
We Want Pie
September 4, 11, 18, 25
Join us on Sundays for programs designed especially for families. Make art, explore the museum, or join a bilingual gallery tour. Most of all—have fun. Enjoy A Slice of Pie on September 18.
North Piazza | Free with general admission
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Long Beach Museum of Art is another place to visit and get in FREE. LBMOA offers free admission Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and every Friday is free thanks to generous support from the L.A. County Arts Commission

In addition, the LBMOA offers free FREE Family Artmaking Workshops every Sunday in the Summer from
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the Ralston Family Learning Center.  There are two more classes left August 21 and August 28

Another great art museum for free class is J. Paul Getty Museum Center and Villa.  They have exhibits made by kids for kids, they have art detective cards, that gives children the opportunity to find the art in the museum from the cards and so much.  The Getty offers drawing classes, family adventures, art festivals and so much more so visit their site and plan a visit.

Make time for your child and go make some art.

If you don't have time to go to these places art can be quite affordable at home.  You can buy chalk from the dollar store and allow your child to do chalk art on the sidewalk or purchase crayons and a sketch pad.  "Babies are born marvelously primed to receive and respond to sensory stimuli" so lets help are children explore those senses.

Here are a few arts and crafts that can be done with your little one's at home.  Enjoy!!!!

Play Dough

Cooked Version: This cooked recipe will yield a batch of play dough for your favorite little person. To make it, you will need the following:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Food coloring

Combine the above ingredients and cook them over medium heat until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball. Cool and keep the dough in an airtight container.
To play, give your child a small wad of dough and show him how to roll the dough into a ball or pat it on the table to make a flat pancake. Older children may enjoy the use of manipulatives to make clay play interesting—things such as a small rolling pin, plastic cookie cutters, plastic straws to poke holes, and even a garlic press to make strands of dough.
Peanut Butter Play Dough: This dough is edible, however be aware that peanuts can cause allergies in some children and eating wads of dough could be a choking hazard. Always supervise young children around play dough. To make this peanutty dough, you will need the following:

• 2 cups peanut butter
• 6 tablespoons honey
• Nonfat dry milk
• Cocoa or carob for chocolate flavor (optional)
• Edible treats for decorations such as raisins or baking candy decors (optional)

Combine all the ingredients into a bowl and mix, adding the dry milk until your mixture reaches the consistency of play dough. Add the cocoa if you want a chocolate flavor. Enjoy the feel and taste of this fun modeling material.
Finger Painting: Finger painting is fun and easy with instant pudding. Just mix according to package directions and you're ready to play. Try using a cookie sheet, as this smooth non-porous surface is perfect for baby's finger tracks. If you want a permanent picture, place a sheet of white paper over your child's painting and press down lightly to make a print. Let this dry and hang for the family to admire. No need to worry about this paint—it's edible!
For more arts and craft ideas just Google toddler art projects.