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.

Hair and stairs

Artists

10 months 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.
How to paint like Patrick Moses

Artists

1 year ago

How to: paint with words like Patrick Moses

Try making a painting inspired by words like Summer Exhibition 2021 artist Patrick Moses.
How to design a greenhouse

Artists

> 1 year ago

How to: design a greenhouse

Experiment with making miniature architectural models using just toothpicks and plasticine.

How to egg cover

Artists

< 2 years ago

How to: make tempera paint

Have a go at making your own paint with eggs, make-up, spices and chalk.
How to make paper - cover image

Artists

< 2 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.
Thumbnail

Artists

2 years ago

Family how-to: multicolour projectors

Follow these instructions to create your own light installation at home, using a simple DIY projector.

how to: felt-tip printing (still)

Artists

> 2 years ago

Family how-to: felt-tip printing

Make your own unique and colourful prints using felt-tip pens and an old baking dish.
How to: Chalk printing

Artists

> 2 years ago

Family how to: chalk printing

Try these two simple techniques and experiment with using chalk to make colourful abstract prints.
Shadow puppets banner

Artists

> 2 years ago

Family how-to: shadow puppets

Follow these instructions to design your own puppets and put on a play in a cardboard theatre.
Plastic bag weaving

Artists

> 2 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.

Street FINISHED

Artists

> 2 years ago

Family how-to: redesign your street

Experiment with architectural collage and have a go at redesigning your street for future generations.
Fabric Painting Thumbnail

Artists

< 3 years ago

Family how-to: fabric painting

Follow these easy instructions to brighten up your organic fabrics using natural, home-made dye.

Family how-to sculpture

Artists

< 4 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.

What do you notice about the different brushes?

Artists

< 4 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.

Header Family how-to: adapt your tools GIF

Artists

< 4 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.

Family how-to: make a Christmas cookie cutter print- header large

Artists

4 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?

Sir John Gilbert RA, Study of a skull

Artists

> 4 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

> 4 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.

John Frederick Lewis RA, Nero at Exeter 'Change

Artists

< 5 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

< 5 years ago

Family how-to: photograph, paint or collage a portrait

Make a portrait or collage the pieces of a portrait puzzle.
Celery rose family how-to gif

Artists

5 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

> 5 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

> 5 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

> 5 years ago

Family how-to: see the world through coloured goggles

Explore a whole world of colour through these DIY plastic goggles.

Artists

> 5 years ago

Family how-to: make a colour wheel

Learn to mix paint like a pro with this quick colour-wheel activity.

Artists

> 5 years ago

Family how-to: exploring colour with slime

Play, experiment and explore how colours mix together by making this sensory slime!

Artists

< 6 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

< 6 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

6 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

> 6 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!