Happy Family Art

Hello and welcome to Happy Family Art, where you will find fun places to visit around NJ, art lessons, craft tutorials, coloring pages and more! 

Take a look at what’s new at Happy Family Art:

During this difficult time for the entire world, while everyone is practicing social distancing, I have decided to upload all of my coloring pages and books here for free. Download, print, and color! Free Coloring Pages. Be sure to share with us on our Facebook page!

Metal Flower Necklace

I have always enjoyed hammering metal. I know, it is an odd thing to say, but it's true. There is ...
Read More

Leather Jewelry DIY

I do enjoy working with leather. Every so once in a while an awesome company, Endless Leather, sends me some ...
Read More

Art In The Time Of Corona

While across the globe, everyone is dealing with the Covid-19 Pandemic, most of us are staying in our homes. I ...
Read More

Cherry Blossoms in Branch Brook Park

Last year we went to see the cherry blossoms in Branch Brook Park in Newark. We were planning to go ...
Read More

Negative Space Watercolor Paintings

I tend to get very excited about exploring the idea of negative space with the kids. Over the years, I ...
Read More

Our Visit To The Red Mill Museum

Another awesome NJ museum. We planned a last minute trip and wound up getting there on the very last day ...
Read More

Our Visit To Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanical Garden

(2019) When I heard that there will be a Frida Kahlo exhibit in Brooklyn Museum, I knew I had to ...
Read More

Our Trip To Maine

I want to say 'vacation', but it really was not a vacation, it was a trip. It was our trip ...
Read More

Beginners Guide To Lino Cutting and Printmaking

I am calling it Beginners Guide to Lino Cutting and Printmaking because, well, I am a beginner. It took me ...
Read More

Preserving Flowers In Resin

I love trying out new crafty things. For many years I have wanted to try preserving flowers in resin. Specifically ...
Read More

Our Visit To Hunterdon Art Museum

It was one of those winter weekends with really mellow weather. Since my kids didn't want to go, my husband ...
Read More

Rainbow Beaded Earrings

I just passed yet another earring making craze (in my head) this past December, but this is one of my ...
Read More

Collage Fun With A Laminator

In the beginning of the year, on the first day of our little co-op, I knew there would be a ...
Read More

Negative Space Drawing

Those of you who know me well might know that on occasion I obsess with teaching negative space. Seriously. It ...
Read More

How To Make a Clay Merkitten

Is it a kitten? Is it a mermaid? Nope. It is merkitten! My kiddo and I made these adorable merkittens ...
Read More

Painting with Liquitex Pouring Medium

This should really be called Painting With Liquitex Pouring Medium Along With A Large Group Of Great Kids. Or maybe ...
Read More

Fun Crafty Things

Metal Flower Necklace

I have always enjoyed hammering metal. I know, it is an odd thing to say, but it's true. There is ...
Read More

Clay Fairy Garden Creations

This summer, I surprised a friend by populating her house with oven baked clay fairy garden creations. Doesn't everyone like ...
Read More

Single Point Perspective Drawing of a Street

There is so much you can do when you understand the concept of simple single point perspective.  I remember clear as day ...
Read More

How To Draw Roses

I have been playing around with drawing roses, trying to come up with an easy way to do it for ...
Read More

Recycled Mosaic Tiles Art Lesson

Mosaic is such a fun technique for making art. I have been looking for a long time for a way ...
Read More

Photography Tips

I always enjoyed photography, but recently I have found myself behind the lens more and more often. I LOVE it! ...
Read More

Georgia O’Keeffe Art History Lesson For Kids

Everyone is familiar with Georgia O'Keeffe's larger then life flowers, and if they are not, they should be! She was ...
Read More

Beaded Dragonfly Earrings

Here is an awesome tutorial for beaded dragonfly earrings.  Seriously, these came out very cool!  I made a pair for ...
Read More

Tiffany Stained Glass Art Lesson

***This page contains affiliate links.*** Louis Comfort Tiffany is another great artist for kids to explore.  Most people associate the ...
Read More

Tissue Paper Collage

After I made the piñata for my son's birthday I had a lot of tissue paper left over.  It is all colorful ...
Read More

Watercolor Buildings Painting Tutorial

This painting might look daunting at first, but if you follow the step by step instructions it is truly easy to ...
Read More

Acrylic Sponge Painting For Kids

This sponge painting of a garden is very simple and easy to make, it is especially good for really young kids. I ...
Read More

Recycled T-shirt Bracelet Tutorial

Do you have a few minutes?  Recycle your old t-shirt into an awesome bracelet. All you need for this project ...
Read More

Recycled Art Portfolios

Right before Earth Day this year I wanted to do something with the Earth Day theme for an art lesson.  ...
Read More

Color Pencil Landscape Drawing

Color pencils have got to be one of my most favorite mediums. I love how much control you have with ...
Read More

Handmade Notebook Tutorial

Handmade Notebook Tutorial from cardstock, paper, and recycled cards. It is that time of the year again, time for the ...
Read More

Cherry Blossom Watercolor Painting

In this lesson I have two different ways to paint cherry blossoms with watercolor.  The first one is easier and ...
Read More

Essential Art Supplies To Have At Home

Art Supplies List Of 30 Must Have Items Recently I came across a question: "What art and craft supplies do ...
Read More

Places to Visit:

Cherry Blossoms in Branch Brook Park

Last year we went to see the cherry blossoms in Branch Brook Park in Newark. We were planning to go ...
Read More

Hiking Stairway To Heaven

I have read one of the articles describing the best places to hike in NJ, and Stairway To Heaven jumped ...
Read More

Our Visit To Van Vleck Gardens and Kip’s Castle

Our Visit To Van Vleck Gardens and Kip's Castle It was early morning on a Saturday that I yanked my ...
Read More

Our Visit to Lakota Wolf Preserve

We went for a second time! It was just as much fun as the first. We enjoyed the wolves, and ...
Read More

Our Visit To Leonard J Buck Garden

Nestled in the heart of New Jersey is a beautiful little place. Leonard J Buck Garden. It is a lovely ...
Read More

Our Visit To Montclair Art Museum

I have had the Montclair Art Museum on my list of places to visit for a long time. When we ...
Read More

Our Visit To Rutgers Gardens

This is yet another amazing place that we have visited for the first time a few years ago! There are ...
Read More

Our Visit To Willowwood Arboretum

Again, I wrote this a few years ago. Since then we have gone back on many occasions to Willowwood Arboretum ...
Read More

Our Visit To Bowman Hill Wildflower Preserve

Bucks County, PA May 2018 This has been a long time coming!! I'd drive by that place a few times a ...
Read More

Our Visit To Princeton University and Art Museum

Princeton, NJ Frequent Visitors One of my kids has an activity close to Princeton that lasts half  day.  It is ...
Read More

Our Visit To Howell Living History Farm

Lambertville, NJ June 2012 Howell Living History Farm is always a wonderful place to visit.  Located in Lambertville NJ, it ...
Read More

Our Visit To Duke Farms

Hillsborough Township, NJ Several times a year. We absolutely love Duke Farms, especially now, after the renovations, when you can ...
Read More

Our Visit To New Hope and Lambertville

New Hope, PA and Lambertville, NJ We go there so often, that I just couldn't put a date on it ...
Read More

New Jersey Botanical Garden

Ringwood, NJ We go there a few times a year! New Jersey Botanical Garden is located in Ringwood, NJ. It ...
Read More

Our Visit To Reeves-Reed Arboretum

Summit, NJ June 2017 A friend recommended this place quite a few years back.  She would take her family there ...
Read More

Our Visit To Grounds For Sculpture

Hamilton, NJ April 2017 Every year I would tell myself that this is the year I would make it to ...
Read More

Coloring Pages

Wait, don’t leave! There is more! 

NJ Travels

Here you will find all sorts of fun day trips all over New Jersey and surrounding states. You can read about our family’s experiences there and hopefully get out and have fun! Also, be sure to check out our very popular list of FREE OR INEXPENSIVE PLACES FOR FAMILY FUN IN AND AROUND NJ.

Art Lessons

Take a look at the many art lessons we have. So far there is acrylic, watercolor, how to draw, amazing coloring pages and more!

Art Stuff: