Sometimes you stumble upon one of those projects that are absolute gems. Projects your kids will happily do over and over again without hesitation. Projects that take few supplies. Projects that you can do anytime! This process art project is exactly that.
I can’t take credit for the idea, but it’s been such a hit with my kids, that I just had to pass along the idea for you to try with yours as well. My daughter’s online art teacher introduced this activity to our family, and no joke there are at least 25 of these little dot monster art projects in her art portfolio at this point. She keeps making them, and making them, and making them. All of the kids who visit us lately spend quite a bit of time making their own as well!
ADD THIS IDEA TO YOUR MONSTER THEME!
FIND EVEN MORE MONSTER THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE LESSON PLANS
FOR HOME PRESCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS.
DOT MONSTER PROCESS ART EXAMPLES
Here’s a quick glimpse of some of my six year old’s favorite dot art creations so far. They’ll give you an idea of how much this project encourages creative thinking…one of my favorite aspects of the activity!
Angel Dog Flying through the Sky
Winnie the Pooh Sitting on a Rock
The Dinosaur in the Desert
The “K” Train
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN CONNECT THE DOT PROCESS ART
In addition to fostering creativity this art project is also perfect in its simplicity!
Step 1: Have kids make dots spread out on a piece of paper. We find that about 20 dots is about just right. Too few dots don’t add enough variation to come up with a vision, and too many can be overwhelming to connect.
In this example we are using a Sharpie so that it is easier to see in the photographs. However, most of the time we do this using pencils or regular markers.
Step 2: Connect the dots. If possible try not to criss cross lines too much, but if it happens that’s fine too. Remember this is an open-ended activity so teacher direction should be minimal.
Step 3: Once all dots are connected. Take a look at the picture. Rotate it around to see it from different perspectives. Usually something will pop out at a child almost immediately. If not, you can help by asking questions like:
“If you look at it from this direction, what stands out to you?”
“Do you see any parts that look like something else to you?
If kids struggle with this part, it can be helpful for them to see you do the activity too. As you “see” things in your own drawing it will help them feel a bit of the creative freedom and confidence we hope they gain from this type of activity.
Step 4: Add additional details if desired.
Below is an example where my daughter saw a monster in her creation, so she wanted to add “jagged, sharp teeth.” (The tendency for rich vocabulary words to come up during this project is another plus!)
Step 5: Color or paint your creations. Again we typically use colored pencils or crayons to finish these. I especially recommend that approach if you are going to leave this out as a free choice center activity or a quiet time activity where you won’t want there to be required clean up.
However, on this day we decided to paint the dot art creations.
First my daughter finished up her “Duck” picture.
Then she painted her “Purple Monster.”
So what do you think? Will your kids LOVE this too?! If you try it, pop over and share your creations with us on Instagram. Tag @fantasticfunandlearning, so we’ll be sure to see them. We’d love to see what your kids come up with!
WANT MORE? TRY OUR PRINTABLE MONSTER THEME LESSON PLANS
This activity would go along very well with a monster theme! Save time and get right to the playful learning with our printable lesson plan sets. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provided different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.
Save time and get right to the playful learning with our printable lesson plan sets. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provided different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.
The full Monster Theme Lesson Plan Pack also includes:
1) Monster Calendar (or general number) Cards
2) Uppercase Monster Letter Cards
3) Lowercase Monster Letter Cards
4) Color Matching Monster Mats and Activity Pieces
5) Counting Monster Mats (1-10)
6) Roll and Count Monster Math Game Boards (6 versions)
7) Feed the Monster Templates
8) Monster Munchies Beginning Sound Cards
9) Number Cubes (6 versions) for Monster Math Activities
10) Roll-A-Monster Creative Art Activity Pieces and Game Cube
11) Monsters’ Healthy Choices Recording Sheet
12) Monster Hourse Beginning Sound Sort
13) Monster Number Cards(0-35)
14) Where Do Monsters Live Book Making Guide and Printable Pages
GET YOUR LESSON PLANS
Home Preschool Monster Theme Lesson Plans
Preschool Classroom Monster Theme Lesson Plans
Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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