Collages with kids

The key to a good collage project is having good materials for the kids to look through.  I found that Real Simple, some yoga magazines, art magazines, and some family/parenting magazines tended to have images that kids could relate to and get inspired by- and images that weren't overly sexual or misogynist.  I put on some fun music while the kids made these, and then they took turns telling stories about each other's collages.  It was lots of fun, and was like two projects in one!

Wacky dioramas

I love giving kids unusual materials to work with.  They often become very careful and meticulous, and conscious of the special-ness of what they are being allowed to do.  For this project, I armed a few helpful adults with hot glue and lay out a table full of bunch of small fun stuff- recycled scraps, classroom leftovers, old toys that tend to go un-played-with, feathers, beads, fabric, magnetic poetry, buttons, etc.  Each child was allowed to take several turns through the supply table so that everyone had a chance to get some "good stuff."  These are some of the things kids made.  I think they're really interesting!