As the new school year unfolds, teachers are on the hunt for innovative and meaningful activities to welcome their students back to school. Grab my 50 Mandala designs. This freebie merges creativity, colour wheel emotions, personal expression, and cultural heritage, making it a versatile tool for any educational setting. 

Mandalas have no prescribed rules or boundaries. Kids can take a mandala design and let their imaginations run wild. The patterns can be filled with bright colours, sparkles, or whatever else kids come up with.

This article presents two tailored mandala activities, each designed to engage and inspire your students as they step into the academic year. 

• Activity A is your go-to back to school resource for the general classroom. It’s a delightful way to awaken those fine motor skills, and perfect for any subject looking to add a sprinkle of creativity and mindfulness into the mix. 
• Activity B is a back to school venture more fitted for the art classroom, to inspire and help students unleash their artistic potential. This activity opens students’ imagination and allows for a deeper exploration of personal expression through art. 

Understanding Mandalas

Mandalas, originating over 2,000 years ago, are intricate and symbolic designs encased in a circle, representing harmony and unity. Though they have their roots in Tibetan culture, mandalas have woven their way through various civilizations, including the Aztecs and Navajo people. Today, mandalas serve as a creative medium for individuals to express their inner self, emotions, and journey through a harmonious blend of shapes and colours.

A) Colour a mandala design

Selecting the Palette 

Back to school is an exciting time filled with anticipation and new beginnings. Encourage your students to kickstart their mandala journey by selecting colours that resonate with their emotions and personality. Utilising my FREE emotion colour wheel, students can pinpoint the hues that best reflect their current state or aspirations.

Crafting and Colouring 

Provide students with an array of mandala designs. Print my 50 mandala designs freebie, allowing them to pick the one that speaks to them the most. After selecting their mandala, students will bring it to life with the colours they’ve chosen, each shade representing an aspect of their identity or emotions. This colouring session is not only therapeutic, but also a way for students to visually communicate their feelings and thoughts.

Exhibition and Discussion

Once the colouring is complete, arrange a gallery-style exhibition where each student’s mandala is displayed. This visual symphony of students’ inner worlds sets the stage for discussion, admiration, and reflection. Ask students to write a brief description about the meaning of their chosen colours.

B) Paint your own mandala design

Drawing and Painting

Students draw inspiration from the black and white mandala templates. Do NOT let them copy. You could print them four to a page, but require that students draw their own design and paint them on A3 watercolour paper. If a student really cannot draw their own design, let them trace a very basic design. Then ask them to add some repetitive shapes and lines of their own. 

Reflection and Articulation

The journey doesn’t end with the creation of the mandala. I ask students to write a brief artist statement, delving into the symbolism of their chosen colours and designs. This exercise not only fosters introspection but also enhances their ability to articulate their thoughts and emotions, providing you, the teacher, with insights into your students’ inner worlds. 

Final Display

The culmination of this project is a stunning back-to-school bulletin board adorned with the students’ completed mandalas. This display acts not just as a decorative element but as a testament to the diversity, creativity, and individuality of each student. It’s a colourful, meaningful, and personal way to kick off the new academic year, setting a tone of openness, creativity, and respect in your classroom.

Unfolding Creativity: A New Chapter Begins

Engaging students with personalized mandala art projects is more than just back-to-school activities. They’re a journey into the heart of creativity and self-expression. As they navigate the new academic year, your students will have already made a mark. Fostering a sense of belonging and understanding.

So, as you step into the new school year, consider introducing the vibrant world of mandalas to your students, and watch as they unfold layers of their personality, one colour at a time!