Introducing Toddlers to Art History: Modern Art

Toddlers may not know you are introducing them to modern art with this kids craft idea. For them, the kids craft will be about colors, shapes, and textures.

By introducing toddlers to art history now, through a modern art craft, parents can start to help young children develop a visual memory. Their visual memory will help them learn colors, shapes, and remember placement and positioning of objects.

Modern Art Toddler Craft

Toddlers from 18 months to three will enjoy this toddler craft. Younger children will need help and encouragement. As long as they can grasp items like tissue paper and thread, and drop them, they will be capable of making this crafts.

Materials for the Toddler Craft

Two pieces of clear laminate, cut to the same size. Two pieces are needed for each Modern Art toddler craft.

Masking tape to secure the wax paper to the table. This is really for toddlers who tend to move the bottom paper.

Pieces of tissue paper cut into the following shapes:

donut circles
circles of different sizes
triangles of different sizes
squares of different sizes
serpents or snakes

Short strips of of scrap yarn.

Exploring Colors with the Modern Art Toddler Craft

When you have the materials prepared, and the bottom piece of laminate secured to the table, you are almost ready to begin.

Tip: Secure the clear laminate so the sticky side faces up.

Make a small pile of the colorful tissue paper shapes, or spread them out on the table.

Also place the cut pieces of colorful yarn pieces on the table nearby.

Keep the second piece of clear laminate out of reach of the toddler until the craft is complete.

Toddler Crafts: Let's Make It!

Show toddlers how to pick up different shapes and colors of tissue paper and drop them down onto the clear laminate.

Advanced: For older toddlers or advanced little crafters, show them how to press the tissue paper pieces down onto the laminate.

Also show them how to drop the cut up pieces of yarn on the laminate.

Toddler Crafts: Finish Up

When the toddler is done exploring their modern art craft, place the other piece of laminate down on top of the design.

Press down firmly and securely.