Finding indoor activities to spark a child's interest can be a challenge, so why not choose an activity with a theme the child can't help but love: themselves! This body tracing art activity is a fun, life-sized spin on the self-portrait art project and kids LOVE it.
One of your must-have craft items is a giant roll of paper. You will be surprised at how much use you get out of it! An iPad has nothing on a big roll of paper for ongoing entertainment value!
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Body Tracing Art Activity Instructions
Blissfully, this project has almost no preparation time.
What you need
Large piece of paper, as tall as you child. It helps to have a big roll of paper on hand.
Markers, or other art supplies like crayons, colored pencils, oil pastels, paint, etc. It's up to you what sorts of art materials you make available. If you want to keep things simple, markers and crayons are perfect. For a bit more messy play, get out the paints.
Process
Roll out the large piece of paper onto the floor. It helps to work on a hard surface, rather than carpet.
Have your child lie down on the paper and then draw their body's outline on the paper.
Using the art materials, your child fills in the outline as they see fit!
One of the great things about this life-sized self-portrait art activity is that, like the giant dot to dot, it engages your child's gross motor skills and fine motor skills at the same time.
As you can see from the photo, a child will use their whole body in the drawing process and come at the artwork from all angles.
Some kids will draw clothes, hair, a face, clothes, etc. turning their body tracing outline in to a representational and realistic full-length self-portrait. Others will create more abstract designs. My son told me the lines on his legs were subway tracks!
No matter how your child decides to kit out their body outline, you can be sure they will be engaged in the process for a while, giving you ample opportunity to have that second cup of coffee.
Alycia in Va. says
I can't tell, it that an art supply package or just a container where you guys store them? I've been looking for some type of "all in one" supplies kit.
Mom and Kiddo says
Alycia: It is just a container that we got at Ikea. It's actually pretty good quality. I have never found an all in one package that I thought was good. Our container holds a set of crayons, markers, oil pastels, watercolor pencils and office supply stickers.
Lisa says
HA! I just love the subway trains, that is too cute. Didn't even notice the undies until you mentioned it, my girls are very stubborn about getting out of their pjs in the morning so I soooo get it! Really when it comes down to it, does it really matter?
Swati says
Mine doesn't go by 'realistic' representation either - it was a hassle getting her to draw flowers for their drawing competition. But then, I have always been happy with whatever she does, and she does do some pretty abstract designs!
Alex Wolf (@na2ure) says
It makes sense if you look at it like a subway map 🙂
JDaniel4's Mom says
I love his out of the box thinking! Very cool!