October 14, 2026

Process Art

A page of free crayon marks and loose paper scraps

Process art means the making is the project. There is no model on the fridge they are supposed to match. You set out a material, they explore it, and you stop when the exploration ends. A product can appear, and it can also not appear. Both are a finished session.

Set up the table

Decide the material before you invite them. Say what is allowed: draw on the paper, stick on the paper, paint on the paper. Limits keep process art from becoming paint on the dog. Put the result flat to dry without asking what it is, unless they tell you.

Open scribble

Ages: 2+. Time: 10 minutes.

You need: paper, crayons.

  1. No picture to copy.
  2. They mark.
  3. You can mark on your own sheet beside them.
  4. Stop when they stop.

Your own sheet keeps you from taking over theirs.

Tear and drop

Ages: 3+. Time: 15 minutes.

You need: coloured paper, a glue stick, a base sheet.

  1. They tear.
  2. They choose where to stick.
  3. There is no outline to fill.
  4. A few pieces are a complete collage.

Tearing is the skill. The glue is only so the pieces have a home.

Brush without a drawing

Ages: 3+. Time: 15 minutes.

You need: one paint, a brush, paper.

  1. No pencil drawing underneath.
  2. The brush is the whole tool.
  3. Thick and thin marks both count.
  4. Rinse the brush at the end together.

A drawing under the paint turns it back into a colouring project.

Stamp explore

Ages: 3+. Time: 15 minutes.

You need: two objects: a cup and a fork, paint, paper.

  1. Press each object once so they can see the shape.
  2. Then let them cover the page.
  3. Ask which object they liked.
  4. Wash the objects before they go back to the kitchen.

Kitchen tools are interesting because the print is a surprise.

Tape resist

Ages: 5+. Time: 20 minutes.

You need: painter's tape, crayon or paint, paper.

  1. They lay a few tape strips.
  2. Colour over the tape and the paper.
  3. Peel the tape.
  4. The blank lines are the picture.

Peeling is the reveal. Let them do it.

Collaborative page

Ages: 4+. Time: 20 minutes.

You need: one large sheet, two crayons.

  1. You and the child, or two children, share one page.
  2. Take turns adding a mark.
  3. No erasing the other person's mark.
  4. Sign both names.

One shared page teaches waiting. Two pages are fine if sharing goes badly.

What to watch

Process art still needs an end. When the paper is full, or the child leaves, say it is done and clean up. Open-ended does not mean all afternoon unless you planned all afternoon.

The Imagination Hive is a children’s art and STEM studio in Milton, Ontario. These projects use ordinary supplies so you can start at the kitchen table.

Keep making