Articles
Family How To
Inspired by the RA’s world class exhibitions, leading artists and architects and Collection, here are a range of creative activities for you and your family.
Artists
> 2 years ago
Family how-to: make a colour wheel
Get inspired by Milton Avery’s colourful canvases, and learn how to mix paint like a pro with this quick colour-wheel activity.
Artists
> 2 years ago
How to: make a character house
Instead of throwing cereal containers and milk cartons away, use them to make a miniature house with character.
Artists
< 3 years ago
How to: paint with words like Patrick Moses
Try making a painting inspired by words like Summer Exhibition 2021 artist Patrick Moses.
Artists
> 3 years ago
How to: design a greenhouse
Experiment with making miniature architectural models using just toothpicks and plasticine.
Artists
> 3 years ago
How to: make tempera paint
Have a go at making your own paint with eggs, make-up, spices and chalk.
Artists
> 3 years ago
How to: make paper
Learn how to make your own paper from scratch using a photo frame, a pair of old tights and scrap paper.
Artists
< 4 years ago
Family how-to: multicolour projectors
Follow these instructions to create your own light installation at home, using a simple DIY projector.
Artists
4 years ago
Family how-to: felt-tip printing
Make your own unique and colourful prints using felt-tip pens and an old baking dish.
Artists
> 4 years ago
Family how to: chalk printing
Try these two simple techniques and experiment with using chalk to make colourful abstract prints.
Artists
> 4 years ago
Family how-to: shadow puppets
Follow these instructions to design your own puppets and put on a play in a cardboard theatre.
Artists
> 4 years ago
Family how-to: plastic bag weaving
Follow these simple instructions to make a mini loom and have a go at weaving with recycled plastic bags.
Artists
> 4 years ago
Family how-to: redesign your street
Experiment with architectural collage and have a go at redesigning your street for future generations.
Artists
> 4 years ago
Family how-to: fabric painting
Follow these easy instructions to brighten up your organic fabrics using natural, home-made dye.
Artists
> 5 years ago
Family how-to: make a recycled sculpture
Be inspired by the work of Phyllida Barlow RA and create a sustainable sculpture from reusable household rubbish. Build it, play around with decoration and then recycle the parts.
Artists
> 5 years ago
Family how-to: make your own paintbrush
Venture outside to hunt for dry leaves, flowers and twigs so you can construct your own brushes and play with mark-making using natural, foraged materials.
Artists
> 5 years ago
Family how-to: adapt your art tools
Tailor art activities to your needs by adapting the tools you use. Follow our step-by-step way to extend or improve the grip on your pencils, paintbrushes and pens.
Artists
< 6 years ago
Family how-to: make a Christmas cookie cutter print
Why not put your stamp on the festive season with our cookie cutter Christmas prints and Funky Foam reliefs?
Artists
6 years ago
Family how-to: carve a Halloween pumpkin inspired by the RA Collection
Have a go at using a stencil to carve a pumpkin this Halloween. These stencils are all inspired by artworks from the RA Collection. Download it and get crafting!
Artists
6 years ago
Family how-to: make a stop-frame animation
Become a film director for the day and create your very own cartoon animation inspired by artworks from the RA Collection.
Artists
> 6 years ago
Family how-to: colour the RA Collection
Have a go at colouring different artworks from the RA Collection! Download a colouring sheet and crack out your pencils and pens.
Artists
> 6 years ago
Family how-to: photograph, paint or collage a portrait
Make a portrait or collage the pieces of a portrait puzzle.
Artists
< 7 years ago
Family how-to: print with fruit and vegetables
Print a posy of springtime roses, a potato polar bear or some birthday wrapping paper.
Artists
7 years ago
Family how-to: use melted crayons to decorate a flag
Melt and grate crayons in our take on Jasper Johns’s encaustic paintings, working with wax to design a flag that represents you.
Artists
7 years ago
Family how-to: collage colourful magnets
Forage for some autumnal inspiration, then get cutting and sticking to create moveable magnetic cut-outs that you can put on the front of your fridge.
Artists
> 7 years ago
Family how-to: exploring colour with slime
Play, experiment and explore how colours mix together by making this sensory slime!
Artists
> 7 years ago
Family how-to: make a paint-splattering spinning top
Stuck for something to do? Learn how to make a spinning top that will spin and spin, splattering paint to create multiple masterpieces.
Artists
> 7 years ago
Family how-to: make a relief print
Inspired by the London Original Print Fair, here’s how to scribble, scratch and carve your design into a piece of polystyrene to make a relief print like a pro!
Artists
< 8 years ago
Family how-to: paint a protest poster
Joining a protest? Here’s how you can collage, stencil or paint a protest poster to hold high above your head!
Artists
8 years ago
Family how-to: make a drawing sculpture-bot
Inspired by Abstract Expressionist sculpture, here’s how you can make a sculptural robot that can move around and draw all by itself!