Experience

Elements of a Story

We love stories in all forms - written, illustrated, painted, musical, etc. Help your child develop his or her own story with this activity from Gallery Educator, Noelle. She shows us the 5 elements of a story - from our Art of the Story exhibiton in the video below....

Create Storytelling Stones

One storytelling tradition includes using painted stones as inspiration for oral storytelling. Students can create their own scenery and painted stones to help them tell familiar tales or stories of their own creation. This activity can be paired with a story or song...

Create musical instruments

Tap into your musical side. All you need are recycled materials from home plus some glue, maybe some rubber bands and imagination. Start your artful projects by collecting materials from around your house to create an instrument. Some object you could use include:...

Shape Scavenger Hunt

Shapes can be seen everywhere! Why not make a game out of finding them in our homes and outside! This will be a fun activity for National Scavenger Hunt Day on May 24. First, make a shape chart. Square Rectangle Circle Triangle Add new shapes - stars, ovals, diamond...

Roll dice & write a sci-fi story

This fun writing process encourages kids of any age to exercise their imagination. Writing activities help build vocabulary, problem solving and communication skills. This activity has been adapted from an interactive from the Sci-Fi: Fantasy to Reality exhibition....

Mother’s Day Craft: Colorful Mugs

Homemade gift can be wonderful treasures! With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we’re sharing an activity from our popular Mother’s Day Tea Party, which typically takes place the Saturday prior to mom’s special day. WATCH VIDEO here. You can choose to do this...

Booky Monster Bookmark activity

We’re celebrating of Children’s Book Week (May 4-10) by sharing a fun and engaging activity for the whole family. We chose Booky Monster Bookmarks from our My Favorite Monster exhibit to celebrate the books we love and encourage reading together. WATCH VIDEO here....

3 artful space activities

Happy Astronomy Day! Astronomy Day is celebrated twice a year in the spring and fall. In 2020, we celebrate on May 2 and Sept. 26. Did you know the first Astronomy Day in the United State took place in 1973? Doug Berger, then the president of the Astronomical...

Create flashlight constellations

Want to create a night sky in your room? This activity is a quick and easy way to bring some stars inside. DK offers some constellation patterns and general info. After you make your flashlight constellations, you can keep on learning about stars and constellations...

Draw-a-story game with artist Shachi Kale

Looking for a fun way for you or your child to exercise imagination and creativity? Try creating a game. This drawing + storytelling activty comes from Chandler artist Shachi Kale, who is featured in the i.d.e.a. Museum’s current exhibition, Art of the Story. She...

Color Scavenger Hunt: Plant Edition

Who doesn’t love plants? Plants provide us with food, clean air and beauty! We can find an entire spectrum of colors in the blooming spring desert. Use this science lesson today or any day to inquire about the plants around us - maybe try it Monday (April 10) during...

Artful bird drawings

It’s Draw a Bird Day on social media, and we’re taking a moment to connect to nature with a cooperative lesson that offers you an opportunity to unwind, make art and work together. Getting started First, some book recommendations: How to Draw a Picture of a Bird...