We use cookies to improve your experience online. By using our website, you agree to the use of cookies as described in our cookies policy.

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.

How to design a greenhouse

Artists

2 months ago

How to: design a greenhouse

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

How to egg cover

Artists

2 months 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

3 months 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

6 months 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

9 months 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

11 months 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

1 year 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

1 year 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

1 year 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

1 year 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

2 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

> 2 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

> 2 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

> 2 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

< 3 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

< 3 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

> 3 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

> 3 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

> 3 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

< 4 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

< 4 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

< 4 years ago

Family how-to: see the world through coloured goggles

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

Artists

< 4 years ago

Family how-to: make a colour wheel

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

Artists

< 4 years ago

Family how-to: exploring colour with slime

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

Artists

4 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

> 4 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

> 4 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

> 4 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!