Discover our personal favorite art activities for kids. We have art activities for elementary students as well as many that appeal to preschoolers and a few that older children can enjoy.
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Hands On Art Activities for Kids
What You'll Find on This Page
I love art, and so do my four kids! This first activity is from my friend Jean Van’t Hul’s book, The Artful Parent. She asked if I was interested in reviewing it. Of course, I said yes!
It just so happened that when we got the book (last year), my daughter Emma was running a preschool camp for a few of the kids she babysits. I knew my kids would enjoy the book, but I thought Emma might find some fun camp activities in there, too.
The book is full of all sorts of fun creative ideas for kids! If you are a parent looking to build an art-filled home, this book is a fantastic place to start! It covers recommended materials, strategies for setting up an art space in your home, and dozens of engaging activities designed to appeal to kids with a broad range of personalities.
Click to Read Also: 8 Ways to Teach Kids to Draw
Simon Says, Draw!
After flipping through the book for a few days, Emma settled on Simon Says, Draw! for her camp activity.
Each kid got a turn being Simon, telling everyone at the table what to draw. It was a HUGE hit! I loved how well this art activity works with a wide age range of kids and an equally large range of abilities. The kids really enjoyed getting everyone to draw their favorite designs, shapes, and objects. Here are a few examples of a castle, some with a treasure box added.
This activity is designed to take place around a huge sheet of paper like the way we do our free art for groups activity. We happen to have a glass top dining room table, so we combined that with dry erase pens. You could also do this with a large sheet of plexiglass, or a window.
The book has over 60 art activities for kids. “Paint a Cake” is next on our list of activities to try!
More Art Activities for Kids
Art is a fantastic way to build fine motor skills and develop self expression.
Our Favorite Art Activities for Kids
Art is a fantastic way to build fine motor skills and develop self expression. This list features our favorite art activities for kids.
Polymer Clay for Kids
Fun ways to use polymer clay with kids.
Line Art
One of our favorite quick and easy art activities - so relaxing!
Free Art for Groups
We used this open ended art activity at all of my kids' toddler birthday parties.
Window Art for Kids!
These are fun to make and display.
Easy Art for Kids: Sticker Mosaic Scenes
This is an art activity you can throw in your bag for waiting rooms and other emergencies.
Symmetry Art for Kids
Art + math is a wonderful combination.
Mess-free Art for Kids, Improved!
Because sometimes you just don't have time to clean up a mess!
Summer Art Activities for Children
Fingerprint Art Fun for Kids
Fingerprint art fascinates children.
Create a Travel Art Kit to Keep Kids Busy on the Road
Art is one of our favorite road trip activities.
No-mess Color Mixing Art
This is a no mess paint activity that even big kids enjoy.
Black Bean Mosaic Art for Kids
Mosaics build fine motor skills and planning skills.
Sensory Play Activity for Children: Sensory Wall Mosaic Art
Create a mosaic on your wall! This is another mess free art activity.
10 Days of Hands On Learning Series
Today’s post is Day 7 of the 10 day Hands On Learning series. Click on the image below to follow the entire series.
What are your favorite art activities for kids?
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MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Oh man, Simon Says Draw sounds like a super fun idea!
I think your family would LOVE it.
I love the Simon Says Draw idea- going to try that as a family game this week! Great for multi age groups!! Thanks!
Simon Says Draw sounds like a really fun activity – I love that is is good for multiple ages, too. Finding activities for an entire family to do together is always a plus.
Looks like a fun book. I just might have to take a look at it for myself!
So many fun ideas! I love that Emma runs a day camp for preschoolers! I bet the moms appreciate that, too!
Great ideas! It is a long hot summer and only just starting.
Amalia
xo
The book sounds like a great resource. I think Simon Says draw would be a fun activity for many different situations.
I agree! It’s definitely an activity we will be doing over and over.
I took this book from the library when it first came out – and I had so many great ideas!