Mosaics are much more than art activities. Okay, so your child probably isn’t making any ‘real’ mosaics. Grout and glass tiles aren’t exactly easy (or safe) for young children to work with. That said, you can still try one of these projects – just in a more kid-friendly way.
Bring math into the mix with some pattern play, geometry and number recognition. How? All through mosaic magic.
This kids’ art activity provides plenty of options, depending on your child’s age, interests and the concepts you are currently working on.
Math Mosaic Art
Before getting started, you’ll need …
- Card stock paper
- Scissors
- A paintbrush
- Cardboard
- Clear-drying school glue
- A pencil
While there are a few different options for this activity, they all start with making a base. Cut the cardboard into a shape. Your child can choose to make a square, rectangle, triangle, circle or organic (free-form)shape.
Pattern Mosaic Artwork
Cut the paper into dime-sized shapes. They don’t have to be circles, just a similar size. Choose at least two different colors.
Paint a wash of glue on the cardboard. Squeeze a small pool of the glue out and use the brush to spread it over the area. Have your child work in sections, so that the glue doesn’t dry before your child can add the paper.
Create a pattern with the colors. Press the paper shapes onto the glue, lining them up in a pattern such as yellow, green, yellow, green. Older kids can create more complex patterns, using multiple colors and making sophisticated designs.
Geometry Mosaic Artwork
Cut the paper into dime-sized shapes. Make as assortment of shapes, in two colors. Ask your child to name the shapes as he cuts them out.
Draw one large shape in the center of the cardboard.
Paint a wash of glue over the cardboard. Your child should still be able to see the pencil drawing underneath.
Glue one color set of shapes inside of the pencil lines and one outside.
Number Recognition Mosaic Artwork
Cut the paper into dime-sized shapes. Again, in two different colors. Draw a number (bubble-style) in the center of the cardboard.
Again, paint a wash of glue over the entire board. Glue one color of shapes inside the number and the other outside. Have your child count the shapes as he glues them down.
HINT: You can try variations of this activity, using a letters theme or even making animals. Have your child draw the design (whether it’s a letter, word or picture of something she’s studying right now) on the board before adding the mosaic on top!
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Beth Gorden
Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! She has created over 1 million pages of printables to help teach kids ABCs, science, English grammar, history, math, and so much more! Beth is also the creator of 2 additional sites with even more educational activities and FREE printables – www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com and www.preschoolplayandlearn.com. Beth studied at the University of Northwestern where she got a double major to make her effective at teaching children while making education FUN!
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