Video

Recreate a theme park ride: Some theme park fans just can’t live without their favorite attractions. That is evident by the slew of online videos posted in recent weeks showing how everyday folks have re-created their favorite rides since stay-at-home orders forced the closure of all major U.S. theme parks.

GoPro #HomePro Challenge: To celebrate our homebound selves, GoPro has launched the #HomePro Challenge. No GoPro? No problem. This contest is open to footage from any camera, including your phone. Every day, from March 23 through April 30, they will pick 5 of their favorite content submissions and award the creator their choice of a HERO8 Black or MAX camera + 5 years of GoPro PLUS.

Online group drawing games

Drawful 2: Play this Pictionary meets Apples to Apples group game of "terrible drawings and hilariously wrong answers" online with friends. It's free to keep on Steam through Friday, April 10, so snag it soon and have it forever.

Skribbl.io: Play this Pictionary meets Hangman group game online with friends: always free, browser-based.

For the stick figure artists

K-State Athletics “Willie by Numbers”: Free printable coloring page

Try a coloring app: Color digitally using one of the many free coloring apps available for your phone, like Colorfy Coloring Art Games or Happy Color Paint by Number.

The Little World of Liz Climo: Free printable coloring book by cartoonist Liz Climo

Color Our Collections coloring pages: Over 100 libraries and museums from around the world compiled free adult coloring books as well as free downloadable coloring pages based on the materials in their collections. Ranging from rare books to scientific diagrams to ornate Art Nouveau, there is truly something for everyone—and hours upon hours of relaxing entertainment.

Strange Planet by Nathan Pyle: If you can write the word "glitter," you can draw a dog. If you can write the word "awesome" you can draw a cat.

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems: Children's author and illustrator Mo Willems (Elephant & Piggie, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus) invites you into his studio to draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing.

Other assorted coloring pages: This website offers a large array of different categories of downloadable coloring pages, including mandala/art therapy, nature, travel, art, history/stories and special events/holidays.

Graphic design

Lettering/Graphic design tutorials: Browse the freebies section for unique tutorials, including How to Make a Sticker Out of Anything, Create a Bullet Journal Weekly Planner Design in Illustrator, 10 Hand Lettering Enhancements Anyone Can Do and more.

Graphic design and photo editing tutorials: Browse a range of unique tutorials to take your graphic design skills to the next level. Don't have the programs referenced? Access to the Adobe Creative Cloud is free for current and active K-State faculty, staff, and students until July 6, 2020. Please note that you are personally responsible for charges if you continue usage after that.

Other project ideas

Creativebug: Your go-to resource for high-quality, on-trend arts and crafts instructional videos. Access 1,000+ art and craft classes for artists and makers of all levels. Create a free account with your Manhattan Public Library card. Don't have one? Apply online to have a card issued remotely. 

JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores YouTube: This channel is launching new craft-at-home videos every weekday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., with kid/family-friendly ideas in the morning and crafts for grown-ups in the evening. They also have a playlist of videos about making non-surgical protective face masks, including one with tips for how to make fabric ties or cut down wide elastic if you can't find narrow elastic.

Make a custom photo book: Make a keepsake of your college memories with a custom photo book. While it's hard to find a truly free printing option, online services and apps frequently offer discounts or "free with shipping" offers. Shutterfly in particular frequently offers free with shipping deals on a range of customizable products, including the ability to get a free 6×6 softcover photo book every month on the Shutterfly app with $7.99 shipping.

100 paper plate crafts for kids: For little Wildcats (or if you want a fun hat for your next Zoom meeting), find a simple paper plate craft that matches the supplies you have at home.

Learn how to make origami: Start folding decorations, boxes, animals, toys, vehicles and more! Cut any piece of paper down to a square if you don't have origami paper at home.

Free book folding patterns: Book folding is a simple, relaxing, low-cost, mess free activity that requires only a few materials to get amazing results for your own bookish home decor. Rather than using a cherished personal copy, hardback books from library sales, garage sales, thrift stores or the bargain section of an online bookstore are great for this type of project. If you plan to order a bargain book for a specific pattern, check how many pages are required - books the length of Harry Potter or Twilight are often what you'll need.

Pet portraits: Inspired by this fundraiser, ask friends and family to post a picture of their pets and then share your artistic rendition of them! Remember, a purposefully poorly drawn pet portrait can be just as enjoyable as a high quality one, so draw them in any style you want!

"Draw this in your style" challenge: Popular on Instagram, DTIYS challenges involve uploading a piece of your own artwork and inviting others to recreate it using their personal artistic style. Friends can tag you in their creations, use a specific hashtag, or post it as part of a Twitter or Facebook thread.

Bob Ross paintings: The official Bob Ross YouTube channel has more than 150 full episodes of soothing painting projects. Get your friends to follow the same episode and then share photos of the results, or video conference as you paint.

Towel animals: Bring that cruise ship vibe to your bathroom with step-by-step towel folding guides to a variety of animals and objects

Humorous recreations: Recreate an art piece using only objects found around your house, then share a photo of the result! Many art museums have pictures of their collection online; here are a few to get you started: Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, Wichita Art Museum, Getty Museum, National Gallery of Art.