Extend the Picture Art Project for Kids • Kids Activities Blog

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School-aged kids will enhance their creativity in this fun project by continuing an image from discarded art. Our basic technique can easily be used at home or in the classroom.

completed extend the picture art depicting beach scenes and flowers - kids activities blog — Recycle images in this fun art project

Recycling Art

Art is all around us and available for us to repurpose in our own unique ways. For this project, we can reuse stamps, magazine clippings, portions of junk mail, and so on. This activity pushes kids to think outside the box by taking art they can see and hold in their hands to then create a larger picture from their imagination.

Related: Use magazine clippings to create other fun projects such as these Mixed Media Monsters!

Supplies Needed to Make this Extend the Picture Art Project

extend the picture supplies include stamps, stickers, magazine clippings, watercolors, colored pencils, etc - kids activities blog — gather up your favorite art supplies for this project!

Image scraps – stamps, magazine clippings, junk mail, stickers, etc.
Colored Mediums – Kids can choose any medium for this project. We used a mix of watercolors, colored pencils, etc.
Paper – choose paper type based on medium being used
Glue
Scissors
Pencil, Pens, etc.

Directions to Make Extend the Picture Art

Step 1

First, place art clipping on paper to determine placement and design.

Note: While I do not recommend attaching the art to the paper at this point, some artists do find it easier to extend their drawing with the original art attached. Waiting to permanently attach the original art can prevent it from being altered while completing the rest of the project. Simply base this preference on your artist’s individual needs.

step 1 tip - soaking a used stamp in water to easily remove attached envelope - kids activities blog — easily recycle stamps by removing attached envelope with water

Tip: If recycling stamps, they can easily be removed from envelopes by momentarily soaking them in water.

Step 2

Then, use a pencil to lightly sketch a design around the original art piece.

step 2 tip - using scissors to remove white border from a turtle stamp - kids activities blog — Use scissors to cut border from stickers or stamps for a more realistic design

Tip: You can create a more realistic look by using scissors to carefully cut the white border from stickers.

Step 3

Next, add color to your design using medium of choice. If using paint, set project aside to dry before moving to the next step.

Step 4

Finally, attach the original scrap piece of art to your design and add any finishing details.

Finished Extend the Picture Art Project

completed extend the pic artwork of a beach scene, lighthouse scene, and flowers - kids activities blog — Our completed extended art masterpieces!

I love how this completed art looks! Since these projects are made on paper, they can easily be framed, clipped, or displayed in your preferred style.

Our Experience Making this Extend the Picture Art Project

I enjoy this project because it gives new life to art that may otherwise be discarded. Kids are free to use their imagination and create any sort of extension to the original art piece. I tend to offer precut magazine clippings, cancelled stamps, or stickers for kids to choose from. They enjoy mixing and matching supplies to create their own unique designs.

Prep Time
5 minutes

Active Time
20 minutes

Total Time
25 minutes

Difficulty
Medium

Estimated Cost
$1

Materials

Image scraps – stamps, magazine clippings, junk mail, stickers, etc.
Paper – choose paper type based on medium being used

Tools

Colored Mediums – Kids can choose any medium for this project. We used a mix of watercolors, colored pencils, etc.
Glue
Scissors
Pencil, Pens, etc.

Instructions

Place art clipping on paper to determine placement and design.
Note: While I do not recommend attaching the art to the paper at this point, some artists do find it easier to extend their drawing with the original art attached. Waiting to permanently attach the original art can prevent it from being altered while completing the rest of the project. Simply base this preference on your artist’s individual needs.
Tip: If recycling stamps, they can easily be removed from envelopes by momentarily soaking them in water.
Use a pencil to lightly sketch a design around the original art piece.
Tip: You can create a more realistic look by using scissors to carefully cut the white border from stickers.
Add color to your design using medium of choice. If using paint, set project aside to dry before moving to the next step.
Attach the original scrap piece of art to your design and add any finishing details.