I finally found an art project that my 5 year old son loves and doesn't want to quit as soon as possible! Zentangle® inspired art! I have such a hard time getting my kids excited about art, this is a joyous post to write!
As many of you know, we like to use journals for learning activities, like keeping track of the latest obsession, or recording curious questions. Last summer I started art journals with the kids and one of the projects I had in mind was Zentangle. Our summer art journaling was not as successful as I had hoped but we finally got around to a little Zentangle art for kids.
What is Zentangle?
Perhaps you are scratching your head and wondering, "What is Zentangle? The Zentangle Method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Zentangle is a way of drawing structured and repetitive patterns. It is touted as being meditative and low-key. This is all very true, but what I told my son was,
In Zentangle there are no rules except that each shape needs to be filled up.
He loved that idea. There are books and kits that teach you how to do Zentangle drawings. With my kids how-to lessons only encourage them to copy and I don't want that at all! In my opinion, Zentangle drawing is all about being free to do what you want, not someone else's idea. Anyone, any age, any skill level can get creative.
Note: This post contains affiliate links to the materials we used, but you can use whatever you already have at home. Affiliate links may earn this blog a commission.
Materials
Paper. We used our favorite journal, the mixed media Visual Journal from Strathmore. I cannot say enough could things about this art journal. We use it for everything.
Pens, markers, crayons, etc. For this project we used Sharpies. If you want a less toxic option, I highly recommend Flair Pens, which is what we will use from now on.
Zentangle Art Process
At first -- as with all art projects -- he protested and claimed he didn't want to participate. However, I sat down and got started myself. He has a really hard time resisting Sharpies, and came over to see what I was doing.
We started out with a blank page in the journal. I LOVE these journals because the paper is thick enough for watercolor or collage and even though the Sharpies do bleed onto the backside of the paper, they don't go all the way through to the next sheet.
How to Start:
I drew random black lines on a blank paper to create distinct areas for the Zentangle art. This game him some structure so he didn't have to feel overwhelmed by figuring out how to begin.
Zentangle drawing traditionally uses only black pens, but I knew the colored Sharpies would be much more enticing and I really wanted to emphasis the "no rules" part.
Observations:
I think he felt free because he wasn't being expected to draw "something." Both my kids express frustration over their drawings "not being good" even though I've never emphasized the representational aspect of art, and heaven knows I am no model of stellar artistic talent!
At one point he decided that he wanted to use two pens at the same time. Remember, no rules!
When I said, "do you want to know how to make a spiral?" he answered no but then I just started doing them anyway and he was drawn (pun) into them.
He loved spirals and declared he was making "Zen Spirals."
Conclusion:
Eventually he filled 4 journal pages. He even said, "thanks for doing this with me, mom." I'm pretty sure he has never thanked me for doing art with him before! Victory!
Have you ever tried Zentangle art with your kids? There are lots of resources out there which will tell you "how to make Zentangle," but I say, throw all that out the window and let the imagination roam.
** Incidentally, when my 9 year old got home he joined us in making his own Zentangle journal page! Double fist pump! (I know, I'm not being very Zen about it.)
MORE ART TO DO WITH A 5 YEAR OLD:
Johanna says
Yet another gem, Erica! I have never done art journaling with my kids, but I am going to try this with them. Thank you for sharing it!
Johanna
Erica MomandKiddo says
Yay! I'm glad it's something new for you. I hope you enjoy it. I've really loved Zentangles. Good even for adults like me who don't have much natural artistic talent.
writersideup says
Erica, I couldn't help but love the journal and the artwork, but my "red flag" went up immediately when I saw the word "Sharpies."
First, let me preface this by letting you (and anyone else reading this) know that I am disabled due to chemical injury. I have suffered with symptoms for nearly 40 years. I'm speaking from first hand experience AND a vast enough wealth of knowledge on this subject. I am also an artist.
Before I go on, let me say many products by Sharpie are terrific. I use them myself, especially their highlighters. There are no fumes which enables me to use them. On the other hand, due to my chemical sensitivity, I HAVE to use the Sharpie permanent markers with proper ventilation. Truth be told---everyone should. The permanent markers should only be used when you truly need something written on a surface that needs that kind of chemical pen or has to be waterproof. In my opinion, adults should use caution when using them, especially for prolonged periods, and children should never be using these type products. If the marker isn't washable, it shouldn't be in their hands and they certainly should not be breathing in the fumes.
Sharpie permanent markers contain harmful chemicals which is what makes it permanent. One chemical is xylene which is a well-known brain-damaging toxicant. If you want to look into it further: https://www.google.com/#q=chemicals+in+sharpies+markers
There are many marker sets with beautiful, assorted colors which are available and safe. Your son will be just as drawn to them if he sees you using them. In fact, even Flair pens come in a wide array of colors now.
I'm sorry I had to say this, but I consider it MORE than important. When I was young I was never taught about harmful chemicals. My family never paid attention to any of it, regardless of all the construction we did and pretty much everything you can think of. In school, in art class, I used to wash oil paint off my hands with turpentine. We are constantly exposed to toxins in many of the environments we're in and through the products and items we surround ourselves with every day. I use to think if a company sold it, it had to be "OK," that we were protected by the EPA, FDA, etc. Wrong.
So, I hope this sparks you to find different markers for your basic craft projects, especially when they're on something as porous as paper 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you so much for this comment, Donna. I'm sort of a little embarrassed I didn't think of it before. I have eliminated so many chemicals - like toxic cleaning supplies and toiletries from my kids' lives but I didn't think of the Sharpies. That is good to know about the Flair pens. Those are the pens they use in school. I'm going to get a rainbow pack ASAP!
writersideup says
I'm glad I mentioned it 😀 You shouldn't be embarrassed. We tend to not stop and think about things we consider harmless or not an issue, and keep in mind---I said it largely for the kids, but adults have to be just as mindful about what they're breathing in 😀
Amy C says
Many thanks for this comment and thread! I literally have a pack of permanent black sharpies for my son who has wanted to draw with nothing else for almost a year!!! Thank you!!!
Erica says
Wonderful!
Bethany says
Thanks for the great tutorial. I had seen other posts about zentangles, but this looks much less complicated. I think my kids would love it.
Melissa Droegemueller says
I'm inspired! Thanks for sharing a new idea. And I appreciate Donna's wisdom...
writersideup says
I'm glad you didn't mind me saying it either, Melissa. I can't help myself. I know so much about the harms and live with the results every day (I'm mercury-toxic and chemicals pushed my body over the edge). It's awful being "allergic" (sensitive) to the world. Awareness is of the utmost importance 🙂
JDaniel4's Mom says
What fun! This would be great to do while waiting at a restaurant or a doctor's office.
jeannine: waddleeahchaa says
What fun! And what creative and beautiful designs. We love journaling and the kiddos journal every day. We've done similar type drawings during our art time. Doodling can be so refreshing.
Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
I've never heard of Zentangles, but they sound interesting. If they have a calming effect, maybe my 5-year-old and I could both use some "zentangling" of our own! lol!
Mandy says
I did this today with my five year old. He is usually more into "messy" art but he was surprisingly very focused! Thanks for the inspiration!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm so glad it worked for you, Mandy. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know!
jacinta says
interesting ... my daughter just turned 3 and still into "messy art" ... i love to zentangle myself, but i might wait until she's alittle older ...
Erica MomandKiddo says
Messy art is great!
Sally Tilley says
Hi Erica, I'm wondering if you pre-draw the lines or if you let your kiddos do it? I'm planning to do this with my 5 year old also.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I drew the lines for him, but really that was only because he wanted me, too. If he wanted to make the lines, that would have been fine with me. I hope you have fun with it!
Angéline Anthony says
I did this today with my children. We all really enjoyed ourselves and my son (6 years) completed one... although he was reluctant at first ...he ended up feeling pleased and proud of himself... Thank you for introducing us to this! P.s. we don't have any sharpies... but I have been sorely tempted a few times... thanks to Donna, I won't be tempted anymore.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm so happy to hear that it went well! I don't miss the Sharpies, even though I thought I would.
Jessica says
My son draws ZenTangles on post-it notes. He's 12, so has better fine motor skills than young ones, but the small space gives him the freedom to know he only needs to fill that small space. He began with pencil, then progressed to black pen. Now he uses colored pens given to him as a gift by a friend who also draws ZenTangles. He loves it!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I love the idea of doing it on Post-its!
Heather says
I love the idea of this. I'm going to have to give it a try.
If you are still finding it challenging to get your boys to draw. ( or even if you are not). I would recommend Peter Reynolds book "Ish". It is a cute story that inspires anyone to make ish drawings.
As a teacher I have read it to many classes, all ages with great success. It is a simple story that shows kids that their drawings don't have to be perfect. My students loved that I too made ish pictures. Ish became a well used term in our classroom
Erica says
Thanks, Heather. Ish is a great book!
kelly says
This was an amazing project. We worked on ours for over 2 hours. Thank you so much!
Erica says
Thats so great! Glad it was a hit!
stormie davies says
love