Yeah! Another who feels that you are more than a babysitter. This age can do quite a bit. Like you said…you need to keep it simple.

* make rhythm instruments. You can even by some at the dollar store. This group loves music and movement. Do scarves, crepe paper, jingle bells, etc.

* collages are great for this age. I would use a paste spreader and expect that they are going to get a lot more fun out of the paste then the collage materials But that’s the point…the process…not the product. If you have little glue bottles you can let them drizzle glue onto the paper…or they can do it with paste spreaders, craft sticks, etc. Then sprinkle sand, crushed leaves, glitter etc.

* contact paper sticky side out makes a nice cooperative project. Stick it to the wall and provide foam shapes. The children love to put the shapes on and take them off…then you can also reinforce basic concepts.

* tactile walk/obstacle course—oops..that’s not an arts/craft project.
* They love playdough- of course keep an adult at the table for those who are still putting things in their mouth.

* stamps/do a dots. Um…if this classroom didn’t always do “messy” projects…please send a letter to the parents reminding them to dress the children in play clothes because they will get dirty as they “work”. Stamps and do a dots do not usually come off of hands/clothes very easily. Just a heads up. But my parents loved it when I did a variety of open ended projects with the children…even if they did get dirty and stained.

* paint paint paint—there are SO many versions of painting. Pudding paint is good at this age…but expect them to eat it.
* window clings on a low window or a smooth surface is great fun for this age. As is large magents. You can have children decorate cardboard shapes and then add magent on the back and put it on a magnetic surface.

* Paint bags-shaving cream bags-hair gel bags. It’s great to do coloring mixing with this group. They love cause and effect. I put two different colors of paint inside of a freezer quart bag. Reinforce all sides with packing tape. The kids can manipulate it to their hearts content. Adding some glue makes it squishier. Liquid starch is interesting as well. You can add foam shapes or beads/buttons, etc.

* if you don’t already include sensory bins…please do. Of course…at this age you must supervise closely.

* Let them step on a large stamp pad and run down a strip of b.b. paper. Can be done with paint as well.

* bundle crayons/markers together. Put strips of paper on wall or on floor so they can use large arm movements.

* sidewalk chalk on black paper. May wish to “seal” with hair spray.

* Any of their “writing/drawing/painting” can be cut into a theme related shape if you don’t like sending home rectangle sheets of paper every day.
* Soap and sponges. Not an art project until you add some paint…but they loved it!

Maybe that will get you started. Good luck!

try this

I work in an infant classroom (6weeks to 24 months) don’t do crafts, they are too little to make something look just like yours. Just do open ended art projects, give them some paint, paper and paint brushes. I would recommend letting them paint in their diapers, because my kids love to paint themselves. We do a lot of group art, and then some individual too. They can do anything you let them do. this age group is a blast!! Have fun and don’t wear nice clothes on days where you plan to paint because no matter how hard you try you will end up with paint on you.

Shaving cream and popsicle sticks. They’ll love it. Nothing more need be said.

At this age, they don’t have the fine motor skills for organized crafts. Why not have a shelf where there are crayons and paper so they can go at will. You can also have an art activity for them where they can choose from painting, playdoh, gluing, etc. Keep it really simple, since the skill they are learning is how to hold a crayon. Give them lots of practice by offering the activities on a daily basis.

Playdoh is always fun, no matter the age! And it’s nontoxic, so safety is #1. Finger painting, potato stamping, color, shape, size sorts, building blocks, foamy sticker projects to make things for their rooms or parents…

make shakers .. like tambtambourine’st two same size plates but in beans or noodles and hot glue then let the kids shake it . they really have fun with shaking it and the good thing is that they can take them home to their mom and dad’s