• Clown art helps children use their artisitc talents and imagination.clown face image by Tammy Mobley from Fotolia.com
  
  Clowns, which have been around since ancient Egypt, are always a fun sight to see. Painted faces, big red noses, and brightly colored hair and clothing provide for a variety of art projects. Children of all ages can use their imagination and artistic talents to create their own perception of a clown.
  
  

Juggling Bottles

• Clowns and other performers juggle to entertain watchers.jonglage en groupe 3 image by Nathalie P from Fotolia.com
  
  Give each child three or four 16-20 ounce sized plastic bottles (from soda or juice).
  Kids may use tempera or acrylic paints to make each bottle look like a clown. If desired, put a few dried beans or some round craft bells inside each bottle, then securely place the lid on. When the paint is dry, the children may practice juggling their clown art bottles.
  
  

Clown Face Puppet

• Kids can create a clown face puppet from paper plates.clown image by indochine from Fotolia.com
  
  Place two sturdy paper or plastic plates together with the bottoms of plates facing outward. Staple or tape around the edges to hold together, leaving about five inches open for child's hand to slip inside. Using the open edge as the bottom of the face, have kids use construction paper, yarn, craft foam, and poms to create a clown face. Kids may glue lots of yarn along the edges of the front and all over the back side for the clown's hair. Show younger children how to slip their hand inside to use the art project for a puppet.
  
  

Paper Mache Clown Head

• Paper mache is easy to use for creating clown heads.clown image by Delphine Debressy from Fotolia.com
  
  Kids can form a round or oblong head over a halfway-inflated balloon. Dip strips of grocery bag paper or newsprint into starch or diluted glue. Place strips, one at a time, on the balloon, until a head shape forms. Kids may add more paper mache to form facial features, hair, and ears, if they like. When the art project dries, provide paints and crafts items for children to add hair, eyes, big red noses, and painted faces to their clown art creation. If desired, paint and glue on a cone-shaped cup for a clown hat.
  
  

Finger Painting Balloons

• Painted balloon shapes make a clown's bouquet.Balloons image by TimC from Fotolia.com
  
  Cut various balloon shapes from sturdy, white posterboard. Choose a paint type that is appropriate for the ages of children participating in this project. Children may finger paint on as many balloon shapes as materials and time allows. When the paint is dry, add construction paper clown face features to at least one of the balloons. Tie or tape a length of curly ribbon onto the bottom end of each balloon. Tape individual balloons to dowel sticks for a balloon bunch. Or, tape a length of ribbon to the top back edge of each balloon and tie each ribbon onto a coat hanger to make a balloon mobile.
  
  

Invisible Dog Leash

• Turn a clothes hanger into a leash for an invisible dog.cute puppy dog doggy cutie image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
  
  Clowns often hold leashes for their 'invisible dog'. Give each child a clean white work glove for this art project. Kids may decorate their clown 'hand' with paints or markers. To form a leash, straighten out a wire clothes hanger. Kids can twist aluminum foil around the entire length of the wire hanger. Twist two or more chenille stems together and bend into a circle for a dog collar.
  
  Bend one end of the hanger to fit around a child's hand. Kids will slip the hanger 'leash' onto their hand, then put the clown glove on to "walk" their pretend dog.