Now is a great time to experiment with  with adding art and positive messages to your windows! Passersbys, neighbors and mail/delivery drivers could surely use the pick me' up.

An easy way to create art on your windows is to paint the exterior glass. The best paint to use is tempera or washable paint (mix in a small amount flour to thicken your paint). You can also experiment with adding dish soap to acrylic paint as I've found a few recipes online for this method. The point is to paint your windows-- but you surely want to be able to wash it off later! Check to ensure you are not using house paint or permanent paint. Most paint will come off of glass with a little scrub anyhow.

Nervous about painting your windows? You can also create artwork or a large banner and hang it in your window. Paper grocery bags cut and taped together can make a large butcher paper sheet, offering plenty of room to create creative!

Ideas for positive messages:
Today is a great day to have a great day
Think happy thoughts
Enjoy the little things
You are a miracle!
The best is yet to come
Count your blessings
We shine brighter together

One of the most satisfying ways to make art, is to use materials that are considered trash-- and turn them into something new! There are many items that can be recycled and used for an art project. The key is to look at the contents of your recycle bin with a creative eye. The best items to reuse will be clean (not in need of a wash or a soak), made of glass, metal or cardboard. Below are some project ideas to inspire you. 
Top left: Hot glue mania with recycled items and misc. plastic toys. A bit much for a wall, yes. But a fun idea for a bookcase, canvas, window frame.
Top middle: Recycled egg cartons never looked so pretty! A little cutting and painting goes a long way.
Top right: We love the idea of using newspaper or recycled magazines to create collage and unique art pieces.
Tin Foil art lesson: This is an easy way for kids to create "action figures". They can also take the project an extra step and create paper clothes for their sculpture. Or, create an entire town!
Maze: We offered this maze lesson to our middle school students and it was a big hit! Using straws, recycled cardboard and toilet paper rolls-- kids can create a hand-held marble maze. We recommend using hot glue to secure pieces onto the cardboard base-- but regular glue works fine too as long as it fully dries before use.
Bottom Left: These unique masks were made from egg cartons! How creative!!
Bottom middle: Don't throw away glass jars!! They have so many uses! Just check out pintrest for fresh ideas.

Salt dough is so fun! With just a few ingredients that you might already have in the pantry, you can create dough that can make virtually anything! Check out the video tutorial below. Can't wait to see your creations!

Take a walk, explore your neighborhood, or simply dig around in your backyard. Here are some art ideas that contain materials found outside. Get out there and get creative!

With a little bit of hand work, you can turn a standard paper bag into a whimsical hat. I love pairing this craft with watching a Dr. Seuss movie, or reading one of his books. Below are some inspiration ideas as well as a great resource link for instructions. Enjoy!
​https://www.mommypalooza.com/2012/03/wacky-hats-to-celebrate-dr-seuss.html