5 Ways to Promote Art Appreciation for Kids this Summer

As summer quickly approaches, promoting art appreciation for kids is a great way to engage your kids and keep them learning (without them realizing it) while they are on break.

Even if you’re not an art aficionado yourself or don’t live in a large city, you can still teach your child to appreciate art.

Below are five ways you can promote art appreciation for kids this summer.

1. Music in the park.
   

   Take a look at the calendar of events for your community. See if there are concerts in the park or any other art-related events. If your community does have a concert in the park, take a look with your child at the groups or musicians that will be playing this summer.

   Pick one together. Then see what you can find out about the musician. If your child plays an instrument, have them learn one of the songs. If not, that’s okay. Your child can still pick a piece to become familiar with. See what they can learn about the song just by listening to it.

   Are there multiple instruments in the piece or just one? Are there lyrics? Have your child memorize them. Ask your child what they’d be interested in learning more about, then head to your local library to see what you can find out together.

   After learning about the piece, head to the concert in the park to hear the song played in person.

2. Visit a museum.

   If you have museums near you, find out if any of them have any new exhibits opening this summer. Let your child know what exhibits will be opening and see if your child is interested in any of them.

   Have your child pick a piece in the exhibit or an area of interest that is covered in the exhibit to learn about. See if there is any information about the exhibit or piece on the museum’s website.

   Go to your local library and see if you can find out any more information on the piece. Afterward, take your child to the museum to see the piece in person.

3. Enjoy the artwork in your town.

   If you don’t have any museums in your area, see if there are any sculptures in your community. Do a quick search on Google of “sculptures in (your city’s name and state)” and see what comes up.

   There are over 20 pieces in my town. Have your child pick one they’re interested in. See if you can learn who created it. Maybe the artist lives in your town.

   What can your child discover about the sculpture? Can they figure out what it’s made out of and how it was created? Once your child has learned all they can about the sculpture, take a drive to see it in person.

4. Learn about cinematography.
   

   Take a look at the movies that will be released this summer. Have your child pick one they’re interested in seeing. Then have them start analyzing the film.

   Does it take place during a certain period? Does it revolve around a certain topic? Is there a particular actor your child likes? Have your child dig into the movie and see what they can find out.

   How long did it take to make the movie? What was the movie’s budget? Was a certain cinematographic technique used? See what your child can discover. Then, when the movie is released, go see it in the theater.

5. See art performed.
   

   See if there will be any plays in your community this summer. If so, have your child choose one to research. When was the play originally written and performed? Research the playwright.

   Are there other plays by the playwright? How long has the play been performed in theaters, or how many performances have there been? Can you find a copy of the play? Have your child memorize a favorite passage. Then, go enjoy the play in person.

Regardless of where your child’s interests lie, there is something for everyone on our list to promote art appreciation for kids. You’ll also be creating some amazing memories this summer when you see your child’s selected artwork in person.