There is something magical about a child’s first up-close-and-personal experience with fine art. The richness of the subject matter, the variety of styles, genres and time periods, the range of emotions and colors, all combine to make lasting memories and mental pictures that will influence our children’s perception of art for their entire lives.

The question is not what you look at, but what you see.
-Henry David Thoreau

I myself remember each time I have been to a new art museum – from the Rijksmuseum in Holland, to the Children’s Book Illustrator exhibit on our trip to Maine – and each experience has filled me with a sense of beauty that can’t be replaced.

No child is too young to take part in the expressions of beauty displayed in your local art museum.

Of course, without proper focus and direction, children can become overwhelmed and come away with nothing specific for their memory to retain. That is why, as with anything else in our homeschooling adventure, it is our job to prepare them for the journey with a well-planned “prelude” of expectations, questions and guidelines for looking at, and seeing, what is before them. Some museums have children’s activities and exhibits to start them off, but don’t be afraid to bring them to see the regular exhibits as well. Giving them specific concepts, subjects, and styles to look for will make for an exciting hour or two lost in the world of art! The anticipation is killing me, so let’s get started!

Here is a list of just a handful of ideas for the search:

• a portrait of a child
• a traditional still life (like this one or this one)
• a cubist still life such as this one
• a painting made only with dots (pointillism)
• a painting primarily in warm colors
• a painting primarily in cool colors
• a painting primarily in black and white
• a sculpture made of metal
• a painting with lots of shadows (such as this one. The term for this kind of painting is chiaroscuro meaning “bright-dark”)
• a painting of a celebration
• a sculpture of an animal
• a painting using mostly geometric shapes
• an impressionist painting (in the style of Monet)
• a painting using thick globs of paint
• a painting with a feeling of sadness
• a painting of a battle
• a painting or sculture using symbols (such as an olive branch, dove, etc.)
• a sculpture that is broken
• a landscape with people only included in the background, or not at all
• a portrait that looks almost like a photograph
• a portrait that is completely unrealistic
• a piece of art that doesn’t seem to you like a piece of art
• a painting of a specific place (Paris, London, George Washington crossing the Delaware)
• a painting with a lot of your favorite color in it
• a painting of a snow scene
• a painting of Mary and Jesus (there are so many styles to find with the Holy Family as subject that a lot of discussion can take place about what is different and the same- expressions, use of light, shape of face, colors, etc.)

Download this list to print and use on your next scavenger hunt.

I could go on forever! Use this list as a jumping off point for your scavenger hunt and adjust it according to the ages of your children. Have the older ones choose two to compare and contrast, or choose a style that they particularly like and write a report. Younger ones can simply find a picture in an art book and recreate it with art supplies. If you are not near an art museum have the children search in a large coffee table book on art from your local library.

The sky is the limit and the possibilities for discovery are endless! I hope you enjoy taking your family on this search-and-find mission!

Christine Hiester is a Christian, homeschooling mom to three boys and a girl, ranging in age from 9 to 2 years old. She is a musician by trade, eclectic in homeschool style, and continues to grow and learn along with her children in this journey of life and discipleship at home. Visit her blog at Fruit in Season.