Art class provides a wonderful opportunity for students to explore their creativity, develop new skills, and express themselves through various mediums. However, integrating a bit of play into learning can enhance the experience even more. Incorporating fun games to play at school into art class can not only break the monotony but also foster collaboration, quick thinking, and imaginative problem-solving. Here are some engaging games that are perfect for bringing excitement and laughter into the art classroom.
Password
One exciting game to play is Password, a word quiz game that can enhance both vocabulary and creative thinking. In this game, the class is divided into two teams. Each round begins with one player from each team being given an art-related word, such as “palette,” “impressionism,” “contemporary art,” or “sculpture.” The player must then give one-word clues to help their team guess the word. For example, if the word is “palette,” the player might say “colors” or “mix.” The challenge lies in choosing clues that are helpful but not too obvious, as each team takes turns trying to guess the word. The team with the most correct guesses by the end of the game wins. This game not only reinforces art terminology but also encourages quick thinking and teamwork.
Pictionary
Another engaging game is Pictionary, which is great for honing drawing skills and encouraging creativity. In Pictionary, players take turns drawing a word or phrase related to art, while their teammates try to guess what they are drawing. The words can range from simple items like “apple” or “tree” to more complex concepts like “abstract” or “portrait.” Players are not allowed to use letters or numbers in their drawings, relying solely on their artistic skills to convey the word. This game fosters a fun, competitive atmosphere where students can express their artistic abilities and work together to interpret visual clues. It’s particularly useful for developing quick sketching skills and visual communication.
Exquisite Corpse
Exquisite Corpse is another classic game that can lead to some hilarious and unexpected artwork. In this game, each student starts by drawing a section of a figure on a piece of paper, then folds the paper to hide their part of the drawing before passing it to the next student. The next student adds to the drawing without knowing what the previous sections look like. This continues until the paper has been folded several times and each student has contributed. When the paper is finally unfolded, the class can enjoy the often bizarre and imaginative creatures they’ve created together. This game promotes collaboration and allows students to contribute to a collective piece of art without the pressure of individual performance.
Art Telephone
For a game that combines art and storytelling, try Art Telephone. In this game, one student starts by drawing a simple scene or image and then passes their drawing to the next student. The second student then writes a short description or story based on the drawing and passes it on. The third student reads the description and creates a new drawing based on it, continuing the cycle. By the end of the game, the final drawing and story are often vastly different from the original, leading to amusing and creative results. This game helps students practice interpreting and translating visual information into narrative form and vice versa.
Blind Contour Drawing
Lastly, Blind Contour Drawing is a fun exercise that can be turned into a competitive game. In this activity, students are asked to draw the outline of an object or a classmate’s face without looking at their paper and without lifting their pencil. The goal is to focus on observing the subject closely and capturing its essence. After a set amount of time, students compare their drawings. The results are often humorous and abstract, making this a lighthearted way to improve observational skills and hand-eye coordination. To add a competitive edge, the class can vote on the most accurate or creative drawing.
