Creative activities for kindergarteners

52 Fun & Creative Kindergarten Art Projects

Art is important for so many reasons. Teaching art to kids gives them the same tools of self-expression as the famous artists we all admire.

In addition to self-expression, lots of important skills are developed through art. Kindergarten art projects teach kids the following things:

creativity
critical thinking
problem-solving
how to follow steps in sequence
art concepts

Coming up with art projects for kindergarteners can be a challenge. Luckily, we've done some of the leg work for you. All you need to do is set the activities up and watch your students get creative.

Here are 52 kindergarten art projects students are sure to love.

1. Make a Paper Clip Painting

This art project combines math, art, and a scavenger hunt all in one. Kids dip paper clips into paint and stamp them onto paper to make creative art projects.

There's no need to confine their creativity to paper clips, though. Send them on a scavenger hunt around the classroom to see what other items they find to use.

Learn more: Mosswood Connections

2. Make a Fizzy Baking Soda Print

Making a fizzy baking soda print is an art project that combines art with science. What kindergartener wouldn't want to see what they could create by touching a fizzling, colored liquid to paper?

Learn more: Typically Simple

3. Making Snowmen with Air-Dry Clay

Making snowmen with air-dry clay is a great art project for winter-themed activities. It can also be done to bring a little winter into your classroom on a hot day.

The clay can be painted or colored with markers and decorated with craft accessories.

Learn more: The Montessori-Minded Mom

4. String Painting

This is a very creative idea for an art project for kindergarteners. Using watercolor paints, water, yarn, and a tissue box, kids can create professional-looking art.

These art pieces are perfect for turning into Mother's Day or Father's Day cards.

Learn more: One Little Project

5. Cotton-ball Cherry Blossom Painting

Painting cherry blossoms using cotton balls is an adorable idea. This art project incorporates the use of clothespins, which is great for fine motor development.

The end product is gorgeous.

Learn more: Projects with Kids

6. Coffee Filter Tulip Suncatcher

This is a fun art project that combines process art and product art to make a beautiful and creative art piece.

The end result is a beautiful tulip-shaped suncatcher.

Learn more: There's Just One Mommy

7. Thumbprint Bug Art

This is such a cute art project idea that is so simple to set up. Paper, markers, paints, and thumbs are all kindergarteners need for this one.

Making art using thumbprints is a great art project for Mother's Day or Father's Day.

Learn more: Toot's Mom is Tired

8. Fork Stamping Tulip Art

Have you ever noticed that forks are kind of shaped like tulips? This makes them perfect for springtime process art projects.

This activity is super fun and super easy to set up.

Learn more: Toddler at Play

9. Abstract Painted Hearts

This is such a fun and creative art project idea. This is a perfect art activity for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or Father's Day.

The canvas for this project is a wooden heart, so the end result is a keepsake that will last.

Learn more: Color Made Happy

10. Painting With Circles

This art project is really fun and easy. There's no need to limit making circles to only paper cups.

Kids can use bottle caps or any other circular item they can find.

Learn more: Mess for Less

11. Ice Cube Painting

Ice cube painting is a great kindergarten outdoor art project for the warm months. It can also be part of a winter-themed learning unit during the cold months.

Learn more: Green Kid Crafts

12. Splat Painting

Splat painting is a process art project in the truest sense of the meaning. Using paint, sponges, and a wooden spoon, kindergarteners can experience how beautiful making a "mess" can be.

Learn more: Taming Little Monsters

13. Pointillism with Q-tips

Making pointillism art using Q-tips is the perfect art project for kindergarteners. Using Q-tips to create art really helps develop a child's fine motor skills.

This art project is also great for learning about symmetry.

Learn more: Artful Parent

14. Painting with Nature

Painting using items from nature is one of the fun art projects for kindergarteners that can be done outdoors. Teachers can also set up a nature table inside the classroom and let students choose their own painting tool.

Learn more: Toddler at Play

15. Sidewalk Painting with Chalk Ice

Chalk ice is a fun sensory variation on the sidewalk chalk that kindergarteners know and love. Painting with the chalk ice is only half the fun of this art project.

Kids enjoy helping to make the chalk ice, too.

Learn more: The Best Ideas for Kids

16. Watercolor Painting on Paper Towels

Paper towels are usually used for wiping up spills made while kids are painting. They actually make great canvases, too, though!

This is an art project your kindergarten class will love.

Learn more: Gift of Curiosity

17. Blow Painting

Blow painting is a ton of fun for kindergarteners. It's also one of those kindergarten art projects teachers can set up in a matter of minutes.

Blow painting art projects can be process-based or you can assign your class to make animals, like scorpions, sea creatures, or birds.

Learn more: Artful Parent

18. Scribble Art

Kids have typically outgrown scribbling by the time they reach kindergarten. This art project is heavy on fine motor refinement and it lets kindergarteners relive their glory days of scribbling.

Learn more: Fireflies and Mud Pies

19. Make Coffee Filter Butterflies

This art project is great for spring-themed, summer-themed, and life-cycle learning units. The steps are fun for kindergarteners to follow and the process of coloring the butterfly wings allows for a lot of creativity.

Learn more: Organized Island

20. Jellyfish Salt Painting

Making a jellyfish salt painting is both an art project and a science project. It's a lot of fun and kids get to be really creative when it comes time to paint it.

Learn more: I Heart Arts n Crafts

21. Rain Cloud Gravity Painting

Rain cloud gravity painting is an art project and a science project rolled together. It requires only simple materials and pairs well with books such as Thunder Cake and Down Comes the Rain.

Learn more: A Little Pinch of Perfect

22. Yarn Painting

Painting with yarn is a fun change of pace from the paint-based art projects that dominate art project lists. The link below shows you how to set the project up using self-adhesive paper, however, your students can also use glue if that is what you have available.

Learn more: Picklebums

23. Crumpled Paper Art

This crumpled paper art project is inspired by the book, Ish, by Peter H. Reynolds. Not only is this a really fun kindergarten art project that yields a beautiful product - it's a great sensory-feedback activity that can help calm an unruly classroom.

Learn more: Bug and Buddy

24. Paint with Puffy Paint

This is one of several kindergarten art projects on our list that involves a science lesson. Make some puffy paint with your class, then let them at some canvases to see what they create.

Learn more: Happy Hooligans

25. Toilet Paper Roll Stamp Flowers

This is a really cool kindergarten art project that is inexpensive (uses empty toilet paper rolls) and easy to set up. The end product is a beautiful flower painting.

This art project is great for spring-themed learning units or flower life-cycle units.

Learn more: Taming Little Monsters

26.

Marbling with Oil and Food Coloring

This is decidedly the kindergarten art project on this list with the biggest mess potential. The final product is so worth it, though.

This is an easy way to marble paper and the students will be so proud of the artwork they get to bring home to their families.

Learn more: Artful Parent

27. Cardboard Rainbow Collage

Making a cardboard rainbow art collage a great art project that has endless opportunities for creativity. Kindergarteners can incorporate construction paper, tissue paper, crafting supplies - anything they can think of - into their collage.

It's a great loose parts play activity.

Learn more: Art Bar

28. Block Painting

Block painting is a simple art project that's easy for kids and allows for a lot of creativity. Kids just have to dip their blocks into paint and stamp them onto craft paper.

Learn more: Taming Little Monsters

29. Flower Painting

The great thing about art projects for kindergarteners is that just about anything can be used in place of a paintbrush.

Grab some inexpensive flowers, some tempera paint, and some sturdy construction paper, and see what your kindergarteners create.

Learn more: Play to Learn Preschool

30. Bubble Wrap Roller Printing

Bubble wrap roller printing is a simple and satisfying kindergarten art project that involves a great amount of fine and gross motor activity.

Another wonderful thing about this project is that it encourages teamwork between classmates.

Learn more: Art Bar

31. A Surprise Rainbow

There are 2 different ways this activity can be done, which are explained in the link below.

This is a really cool activity because a lot of kindergarteners still believe in magic and this project lets them make some magic of their own.

Learn more: The Best Ideas for Kids

32. Painted Plate Flowers

Making painted paper plate flowers is a very involved, but very fun, kindergarten art project. The work they put into this beautiful project is sure to make them feel very proud.

Learn more: Pink Stripey Socks

33. Straw Blown Peacock Painting

Blow painting allows for a lot of open-ended creativity. It's also fun to challenge kindergarteners to create a specific product using this art technique.

Since peacock feathers are a work of art in and of themselves, what a great end product to work toward.

Learn more: The Pinterested Parent

34. Northern Lights Chalk Art

Making an art project that is Northern Lights-themed is a fun and creative activity that pairs well with a book about the phenomenon or a Northern Lights-themed science unit.

Learn more: One Little Project

35. Foil Art Prints

This is a really neat art project idea that uses card stock and colored aluminum foil. After the print is made using a laminator, students can paint them or use crayons to fill in the spaces.

Learn more: Color Made Happy

36. Salt Painting a Pineapple

Salt painting is always a big hit with kindergarteners. Salt painting a pineapple is an art project that also incorporates science and can introduce the concept of symmetry.

Learn more: Skip to My Lou

37. Painting with Rubber Bands

Painting with rubber bands uses a similar concept as splat painting, just on a smaller scale. It's messy, it's fun, and it allows kids to get really creative.

Learn more: Craftulate

38. Bell Pepper Shamrock Stamping

Have you ever looked at a cross-section of a bell pepper and thought to yourself, "That looks a lot like a 4-leaf clover".

It does - which makes it the perfect tool for stamping shamrocks!

Learn more: Crafty Morning

39. Painting Fireworks

Painting fireworks is a fun art project that is a wonderful addition to holiday-themed learning units.

Using empty toilet paper rolls, paper plates, and paint, kindergarteners can create a beautiful painting of fireworks.

Learn more: Learning 4 Kids

40.

Bleeding Tissue Paper Art

This is a really fun art project for kindergarteners. The creative possibilities are endless when kids get to use spray bottles and tissue paper in their art.

Bleeding tissue paper art is great for seasonal art projects - for any season!

Learn more: The Best Ideas for Kids

41. Shaving Cream Painting

Painting with shaving cream is one of the kindergarten art projects that let kids get truly involved in their art via multiple senses. The activity can be set up in a deep tray or in a sensory bin.

Learn more: Fun With Mama

42. Make a Dinosaur Stomp Painting

This is a great art project that lets kids create something beautiful and play with dinosaurs at the same time. There's no need to focus on perfection, just let the dinosaurs stomp around!

Learn more: Paper and Glue

43. Making a Self-Portrait

A self-portrait is a challenging concept for kindergarten-age children. This art project should be kept simple, fun, and without the expectation of a picture-perfect finished product.

Learn more: The Kitchen Table Classroom

44. Make a Paper Line Sculpture

Making paper line sculptures is an art project that introduces children to the concept of being able to create 3-D art.

Kindergarteners aren't limited to making their lines of paper resemble a specific object or structure. They are free to use their imaginations on this one.

Learn more: Art is Basic

45. Make a Body Flip Book

This is a fun art project every kindergartener will love. Making their own body flipbook, kids can imagine themselves in different fun clothing combinations.

How cool is that?

Learn more: My First Pallete

46. Making Stained Glass Crayons

This art project for kindergarteners also involves a science element - melting crayons. The activity is fun for kids and the end result is beautiful stained glass art.

Learn more: Education.com

47. Painting with Bubbles

Who knew you could paint with bubbles?

This art project gets kindergarteners involved in making the bubbles, then creating the art. The results are very cool.

Learn more: Early Learning Ideas

48. Body Tracing and Painting

Body and tracing and painting is one of the few art projects for kindergarteners that incorporates a gross motor aspect. Kids get to paint a whole-body self-portrait and have a great time in the process.

Learn more: The Artful Parent

49. Create Spin Art with a Salad Spinner

This is such a neat art project that makes use of that salad spinner you probably haven't used in a while. Bring it to school, lay down some newspaper, and watch your class create some neat-looking art projects.

Learn more: The Artful Parent

50. Make a Painted Paper Duckling

This art project has multiple steps, each one being a lot of fun. Students get to use fun brush strokes to paint paper and then use that paper to make a paper duckling.

This is a great art project for springtime.

Learn more: Deep Space Sparkle

51. Create an Apple Starry Night Print

You are likely familiar with Vincent Van Gogh's famous painting, Starry Night. Following this art activity, your child will be, too.

This activity pairs well with the book, Touch the Art: Make Van Gogh's Bed and it can be done with items you have around your house, including an apple core.

Learn more: The Educators' Spin on It

52. Make a Robot Puppet

Making a robot puppet is an adorable art project that any kindergartener is sure to enjoy. It gives kids the chance to show off their creative chops and, bonus points - they have a puppet to play with after the art activity is finished!

Learn more: Merri Cherry

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you introduce art to kindergarteners?

Kindergarteners can be introduced to art in easy, low-pressure ways, such as simply supplying them with art materials and letting them create what they like.

What art should kindergarteners learn?

Kindergarteners should be introduced to art that involves a variety of canvas types, mediums, tools, and colors.

What colors attract children's attention?

Bright, vibrant colors generally attract children's attention more so than pastels. When setting up art projects, it's a good idea to set out some brightly colored art materials.

55 Kindergarten Art Projects To Spark Early Creativity

There’s no better time to experiment with art than kindergarten! Kids this age are buzzing with creativity and always willing to try something new. These kindergarten art projects use every kind of media, so kids learn to paint, sculpt, draw, weave, and more. Plus, they’ll discover some famous artists along the way. Take a look, and you’ll realize kinders can do so much more than finger paint!

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1.

Weave a wall hanging

Give little fingers some fine motor practice as you teach them the basics of weaving. Add beads to embellish their creations!

Learn more: Meri Cherry/Kindergarten Weaving

2. Craft some circle-print art

Circles are one of the first shapes kids learn to identify, but they also play an important role in many types of art. Show kids some of the more famous circle art pieces, then create your own using empty toilet paper rolls and tempera paints.

Learn more: Pocket of Preschool

3. Pile up paper tubes

Don’t throw away those tubes after you print with them! Instead, pile them up to make unique sculptures.

Learn more: Art Bar

4. Roll up paper snails

These sweet little snails are easy to make, especially when you use the free printable templates available at the link.

Learn more: Kindergarten Nation

5. Grow a fingerprint tree

OK, technically, this one is finger painting, but it’s a little more sophisticated. Mix it up with fall colors to make this an autumn craft instead of spring.

Learn more: A Dab of Glue Will Do/Fingerprint Tree

6. Trace your hand

Anyone can do a hand turkey. Visit the link to learn how to do hand cats, hand giraffes, hand dinos, and more!

Learn more: Artistro

7. Trace and paint the ABCs

Kindergarten is all about the ABCs, so this is a perfect kindergarten art project. Fold paper into squares and add a different color or pattern to each. Then paint alphabet letters overtop.

Learn more: Cassie Stephens/ABCs

8. Capture a self-portrait in a shadow box

Turn old cardboard boxes (cereal boxes are the perfect size) into shadow boxes with a photo of a student inside. Attach a transparency to the front and add fun details using Sharpies or chalk markers.

Learn more: Meri Cherry Art Studio/Self Portrait Shadow Box

9. Cut and paste color wheel flowers

This might look like just another cute kindergarten art project, but really, the goal is to teach the color wheel concept. Kids paste primary flower petals first, then fill in with secondary colors. They get good practice with scissor skills too.

Learn more: Deep Space Sparkle/Color Wheel Flowers

10. Put blocks to a new use

You might shudder at the idea of dipping your shape blocks in paint, but let’s face it: those sticky blocks were due for a good cleaning anyway. So go ahead and try this Paul Klee-inspired kindergarten art project, even if it is a wee bit messy.

Learn more: Learn, Play, Read

11. Find art in scribbles

Show kids that even their scribbles are full of personality and life! Let kids experiment with a variety of media (crayons, markers, pastels, etc.), then turn their scribbles into creatures in a few simple steps.

Learn more: Capturing Parenthood

12. Model textured clay turtles

Break out the clay! These little turtles are easy to assemble, but it’s the shells that are the really fun part. Have kids use the sole of their shoe (stomp!) to create textures and patterns. If you don’t have a kiln, use air dry clay, or even try this with Play-Doh.

Learn more: Cassie Stephens/Clay Turtles

13. Shape 3D yarn art

Harold and the Purple Crayon is a perennial children’s favorite, so this kindergarten art project is sure to be a big hit. Make sculptures by dipping yarn in glue and attaching a paper purple crayon to the end.

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Yarn Sculptures

14. Blow through straws to make dreamy peacocks

This beautiful kindergarten art project is easier than it looks! To make those rainbow feathers, just place a few drops of liquid watercolor onto watercolor paper or white construction paper. Students use straws to blow the paint around the paper. (Make this project COVID-safer by taking it outside and spacing kids out while they work.)

Learn more: The Pinterested Parent

15. Stack cardboard sculptures

Here’s another way to turn recycled cardboard into a kindergarten art project. Cut cardboard into shapes and stack them up. Then drizzle thin paint carefully over the top to create mesmerizing patterns.

Learn more: Picklebums/Cardboard Sculptures

16. Make a robot puppet

There are few things that kindergarteners love more than finger painting, but robots might just be one of those things. Combine them, and you’ve got a winner of an art activity! This is a great project for using those last bits of buttons, paper scraps, and stickers.

Learn more: Meri Cherry Art Studio/Robot Puppet

17. Mold Chihuly-inspired bowls

Show your students pictures of Dale Chihuly’s breath-taking glass art. Then grab coffee filters and markers to make your own colorful creations!

Learn more: Mrs. Harris’ Art Room/Coffee Filter Art

18. Float tissue paper water lilies

Monet’s water lily paintings are instantly recognizable and easy for kids to connect with. Re-create the feeling of these famous paintings with this project, finished off with tissue paper water lilies.

Learn more: Arty Crafty Kids

19. Channel Van Gogh with sunflowers

Van Gogh is another terrific inspiration for kindergarten art students. Bring in a bouquet of live sunflowers, show them his sunflower paintings for inspiration, and let them create!

Learn more: NurtureStore/Sunflowers

20. Replace glitter with salt paint

Some of you may be die-hard glitter fans, but for the rest of us, this kindergarten art project is a real sanity-saver. Students draw designs with glue, then dump coarse salt over the top. When it’s dry, they add watercolors for a pretty creation.

Learn more: An Artful Parent

21. Foil print a moon painting

Crumpled foil dipped in paint is the secret to creating this cool textured moon print. Add it to a star-painted background to finish it off.

Learn more: A Dab of Glue Will Do/Moon Prints

22. Bend pipe cleaners into masterpieces

Chances are good you’ve got a ton of random pipe cleaners lying around somewhere. Gather them up, along with some styrofoam packing material, and set kids loose to create wild and crazy sculptures. They can add beads and any other materials you have lying around, too. (Try these glittery pipe cleaners for extra pizzazz.)

Learn more: Picklebums/Pipe Cleaner Sculptures

23. Build a glass-free mosaic

Real glass mosaics are best reserved for high school students, but this version makes a great kindergarten art project! Visit the link below to learn how to dye corn kernels any color you can imagine.

Learn more: Pre-K Pages

24. Cut out newspaper cats

Work on scissors skills by cutting basic shapes out of newspapers and magazines. Then assemble them however you like to create cute kitty cats!

Learn more: Arty Crafty Kids

25. Tackle textures with trees

Introduce the idea of texture by studying tree bark with all its whorls and swirls. Next, have kids draw simple trees full of patterns in crayon and then have them fill in the background with watercolors.

Learn more: Mrs. Harris’ Art Room/Textured Trees

26. Bring chalk back with exploding hearts

Classrooms may not have much chalk lying around anymore, but chalk pastels are still great for art projects. Use them to create these surprisingly simple “exploding hearts.”

Learn more: Elements of the Art Room/Chalk Hearts

27. Craft 3-D yarn letters

Here’s another alphabet idea for your kindergarten art students. Grab some yarn (the multicolored skeins create the coolest look), glue, and wax paper. Dip the yarn into the glue and lay the glue-drenched pieces of yarn on wax paper to create letters, numbers, or any shape you like.

Learn more: Premeditated Leftovers

28. Slide pastel art into mini photo albums

Kids love to experiment with different art supplies. Let them create a variety of pastel pages, then slide them into mini photo albums to display and share.

Learn more: Meri Cherry Art Studio/Mini Art Books

29.

Embrace wrinkles with this crumpled-art project

Crumpling paper is a lot of fun, but kids will be surprised to see they can use that technique to make interesting art! All you need is white construction paper and watercolors to make this unique kindergarten art project.

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Crumpled Paper Art

30. Finger paint a mess-free (!) rainbow

Finger painting without the mess? Yes, please! This kindergarten art project keeps the paints confined to a plastic bag, so kids can create over and over again anywhere they like.

Learn more: Powerful Mothering

31. Try another low-mess take on watercolors

Here’s another idea for keeping the painting mess to a minimum. Draw on plastic bags with washable markers, then spray them with water and press a piece of paper over the top. Instant easy art!

Learn more: Team Cartwright

32. Pull yarn through paint

Yarn painting has become popular for all ages recently, and it’s easy to see why. This easy project creates cool abstract art that’s fun and satisfying to make.

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Yarn Painting

33. Point the way with cotton swabs

Not only is painting with cotton swabs (aka Q-Tips) lots of fun, it also introduces little ones to the concept of pointillism. Bonus: no paintbrushes to clean up at the end!

Learn more: Projects With Kids

34. Hang a shape garland

Fill your room with kid-made art! Paint and cut out colorful shapes, then string them on garlands to decorate your classroom.

Learn more: NurtureStore/Shape Garlands

35. Put together Mondrian squares

Mondrian is another artist whose work is very appealing to young kids. Create Mondrian-inspired squares by decorating and assembling individual wood craft sticks.

Learn more: Preschool Powol Packets

36. Color some big crayons

In addition to teaching color blending techniques, this kindergarten art project opens up discussions about the ways unique crayons work together to create a complete picture.

Learn more: Elements of the Art Room/Crayon Craft

37. Make bubble wrap magic

Bubble wrap is a perennial favorite for little fingers, but students will have to hold off on popping for at least a little while when you tackle this kindergarten art project. Glue umbrellas to construction paper, then use bubble wrap to “paint” the raindrops!

Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4 Me

38. Assemble a Leaf Person

Leaf people are the new stick people! Take a nature walk to gather leaves; this is fun in fall but works in spring and summer too. Grab twigs, pinecones, and flowers for accents, if you like. Then paste them together to create a whole leaf family.

Learn more: My Mommy Style

39. Try this trick to make crepe-paper art even easier

Crepe paper has been a star in kindergarten art projects for years, but it definitely results in sticky glue fingers. Try this: Use a mini paint tray and a mini roller to roll on the glue! Fingers stay clean and dry, plus you’ll avoid messy glue puddles. You’re welcome!

Learn more: Hello, Wonderful/Crepe Paper Art

40. Print PAW-some footprint art

Combine storytime with creativity in this kindergarten art project! As you read the story, have students grab an animal figurine, dip the paws in paint, and have their animal act the story out on construction paper, leaving a trail of prints across the page.

Learn more: Fun-A-Day

41. Turn paper bags into jellyfish

Put those scissor skills to good use with these wiggly paper bag jellyfish! All you need is brown paper lunch bags, googly eyes (the bigger, the better!), and watercolor paint. For extra fun, use some decorative scissors with this kindergarten art project.

Learn more: No Time for Flashcards

42. Sculpt the cutest pinch-pot kitties

This kindergarten art project will take some patience, trial-and-error, and grown-up assistance, but the results are pretty terrific. No kiln? Use oven-bake clay and tempera paint, then add a shiny finish with gloss glaze.

Learn more: Deep Space Sparkle/Pinch Pot Kitties

43. Construct a paper quilt

Quilting is an art form in itself. In this kindergarten art project, kids draw a patterned circle, then cut it into fours and paste it onto a square. Assemble all the squares for the final finished project.

Learn more: Shine Bright Zamorano

44. Eat your art

Painting on white bread has been around for a while, but the soggy finished product isn’t really that appetizing. This project solves that problem by mixing powdered sugar with food coloring to create a thick paste. It’s fun to paint with, and the resulting bread art is a sweet treat!

Learn more: Kids Craft Room

45. Paint with bubbles

Kids are forever blowing bubbles, so add tempera paint and create beautiful art prints!

Learn more: Early Learning Ideas

46. Learn about symmetry with smoosh art

This is a tried-and-true kindergarten art project for a good reason: it’s fun and slightly magical. Your students will love to see how those tiny drops of paint are transformed into symmetrical art patterns.

Learn more: All Things Heart and Home

47. Twist and paint paper plates

Process art puts more emphasis on the process of creating rather than the results themselves. This active art activity needs only paint and paper plates and reveals all sorts of interesting results.

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Painted Plates

48. Scoop up ice cream cone art

Who doesn’t scream for ice cream? Mix shaving cream with glue and paint to create scoops of fun. Add mix-ins like cinnamon for scented creations, or stir in beads to represent chocolate chips. So many options! (Just make sure they’re not trying to eat this particular project.)

Learn more: Crafty Morning

49. Draw a half self-portrait

Some students shy away from drawing, as they fear they don’t have the skills. That’s what makes this mixed-media project so cool. Half the piece is constructed from a photo that the students then use to help draw the remaining half.

Learn more: Art Is A Way

50. Practice circles with paper piggies

These round little piggies give kindergarteners the perfect chance to practice drawing circles. All you need is watercolor paper, a black marker, and watercolor paints. Oink oink!

Learn more: Apex Art

51. Design butterfly wings

Look at photos of real butterflies, then create your own patterned wings. This is a good chance to talk about symmetry in art and nature.

Learn more: Hello, Wonderful/Butterfly Art

52. Fly colorful windsocks

Windsocks are a staple art project and full of versatility. Create the paper bases and decorate them however you like. The streamers can be made of ribbon, yarn, paper, or anything else you can dream up!

Learn more: Art Is Basic

53. Cut up your art

This kindergarten art project is fun as it encourages kids to look at their creations in a different way. (Plus, scissors skills!)

Learn more: Gift of Curiosity

54.

Paint a field of wildflowers

This flower-inspired project touches on Impressionism in a way that five-year-old kids can grasp. All you need is black paper, chalk for the stems, and paint for the flowers.

Learn more: Fine Lines

55. Create a tree-inspired 3-D sculpture

Head outside to the school playground where your students can forage for the sticks and twigs they want to use in this kindergarten project. Back inside the classroom, they stick the twigs into clay and decorate them with colorful beads. (Bonus: This is a great way to work in fine-motor skill practice!)

Learn more: Mair Town Kindergarten

Keep the creativity going with these 25 Fun Kindergarten Writing & Storytelling Prompts!

Plus, sign up for our newsletters to get all the latest teaching tips and ideas, straight to your inbox.

9 ideas for creative activities with children

Irina Balmanzhi

The 500 Creative Ideas Collection contains original games and workshops to inspire your child to draw, build, write poetry and stories, sing, dance and improvise anywhere, anytime. We publish some interesting exercises from the book.

Creativity with babies (2-3 years old)

The kid is interested in everything around. Unquenchable curiosity and a craving for experimentation fuel creativity like nothing else. nine0004

Between 2 and 3 years of age is an excellent time to explore creative activities such as music, dance, acting, building with blocks, word art, and writing.

Children at such a young age cannot sit still for more than a couple of minutes. But even these moments of passionate creative pursuits are extremely important.

Flyer Collage

Finally, there is a worthy use for all these flyers and brochures - we will make a bright and original picture out of them! nine0004

Resource

You will need:

Non-toxic markers or crayons
Cardboard sheet
Advertising thrown in your mailbox (flyers, brochures, envelopes)
Non-toxic white glue (PVA glue; use with parental supervision only)
Child safety scissors

Create with your child! Let everyone create their own collage from scraps and scraps of colorful flyers and complement it with drawings made with felt-tip pens, pencils or crayons. nine0004

Cardboard city

Baby, mom (or dad, sister, brother, grandma, grandpa, etc.) and a huge box - what an adventure!

Source

You will need:

4-6 medium to large cardboard boxes (available at the grocery store, just make sure the boxes are clean)
Colored paper and tape (to cover boxes)
Dolls, animal figurines, stuffed animals (“inhabitants” of the houses you will build)

Place the boxes in a large room or take them outside and show your child how to play: build a tower out of boxes, on each “floor” of which toys will “live” - let them sit in boxes. Or line up the boxes. Now let the kid play on his own. What house will he build? Who will he put there?

Basket of fairy tales

To compose an interesting story, all you need is a piece of paper with only one word written on it!

You will need:

Paper
Pencil
Basket

Think of ten words or topics that could be the plot of a fairy tale and write them on slips of paper. On each sheet, you can also draw something or stick a small photo or picture. Fold the leaves in half and throw them into the basket.

Ask your child to take a piece of paper from the basket. Make up a short children's story or story (2-3 minutes) using the word, picture, or story that comes up. The story can be funny and unpretentious, about events and actions that are understandable and familiar to kids from everyday life. nine0004

Accompany the story with facial expressions and gestures. Attract interest with your voice: make non-scary sounds, move to a whisper, speak in a high voice or bass.

Creativity with preschoolers (3-5 years old)

Three, four, five years old is a great age for a variety of creative activities. At this time, role-playing games and acting skills come to the fore. Children love trying new materials. They like to play with the constructor. They listen carefully and love to be told funny stories and read children's books. They are attracted to music and dance. nine0003 You can do a lot to develop your preschooler's fantasy. Spend more time with him, listen to music, tell stories, put on puppet shows, draw and construct. Over time, creativity will become something familiar, familiar, and after many years your efforts will pay off a hundredfold!

Stick puppets

Take a wooden stick, attach a picture of your favorite character to it, make a costume for him - the stick puppet is ready!

You will need:

Markers or wax crayons
Cardboard
PVA glue
Fabric scraps
Wool threads
Color paper
Glitter adhesive
Child safety scissors
Insulating tape
Wooden stick (e.g. for ice cream)

Sit next to each other and make your own doll. Draw some character on the cardboard. Decorate the drawing with pieces of fabric, woolen threads and colored paper. Use glitter glue to draw details and add sparkle! nine0004

When the design is ready, carefully cut it out along the outline. Attach a wooden stick to the back of the picture - you get a chrysalis on a stick. Then put on a puppet show on the kitchen table (for example, you can act out your favorite children's fairy tale).

My Family Poster

Kids love making large colorful posters with letters and pictures. And this one is also dedicated to the family.

Illustration from My Family Book

You will need:

Large size solid color cardboard sheet
Photos of family members (or child with other family members)
Glue or tape
Markers

Have the child choose their favorite photos of family and friends, lay them out on a large piece of cardboard and stick them on. You can come up with funny captions for pictures together. Help older children write names under the photo.

Six questions

A simple and fun game that adults can use. It will help you write incredible stories! nine0004

You will need:

Pencil and paper

Explain to your child that together you will make up a funny story about animals, people or imaginary creatures. Then ask him six questions (see below) and you'll have ideas on where to start. (If you are afraid to forget, write down the answers.)

Who will be the hero of our story? (Child answers: "Crocodile!")
What is his name? ("Lesha!")
Where does he live? ("In the house")
What color is the house? ("Pink")
What does the crocodile like to do in his spare time? ("Play football")
What is his favorite food? ("Ice cream!")

Collect all the answers and start composing! Introduce your hero and come up with a funny and ridiculous plot, weaving all the details into it. Do not drag out the story, because the attention of a 3-5-year-old child will not be enough for a long time (no longer than 3-6 minutes).

Creativity at school age (6–12 years old)

Ages 6 to 12 are ideal for creative activities. The motor skills of the child are already quite developed, and he is well controlled with any tools and materials. Drawing, music, construction, dancing, theater, storytelling - everything is subject to him!

The task of adults is to create conditions so that the child can try himself in all kinds of creativity that he likes. Remember: he must like what he does. Do not put pressure on him, and he will take on new projects with optimism and confidence. nine0004

Creative activities for young photographers

Children aged 6-12 love taking pictures! Collections of original shots can be saved, made into collages, and used for other creative projects.

Source

You will need:

Camera

Give your child a task: find and photograph objects of a certain color or places of interest. He can choose the theme for his pictures and make his own collection of photos. To get you started, here are six topics for photo finds. nine0004

1. Colors . The child chooses a color or color combination and takes pictures of interesting objects of the same color that come across to him.

2. Nature . Plants, animals, water, sand, clay, puddles - the list is endless. Let the child capture all the most beautiful things in nature.

3. Places . Just take a closer look at the most familiar things: buildings, sidewalks, hills, villages, schools, playgrounds, auto repair shops, supermarkets, banks... Is it possible to photograph all this in an original way? Maybe from close range or far away? nine0004

4. Friends . It can be people or four-legged friends. Invite your young photographer to take some pictures of your friends in unusual situations and try to capture their actions, movements, facial expressions.

5. Toddlers . Babies and baby animals are the perfect subject for photography: they sleep, play and move in a completely different way than adults! Encourage your child to take pictures of babies or baby animals in the yard, at the zoo, or in the countryside.

6. funny photo . Can your young photographer catch strangers (and acquaintances) or your pet in funny situations? Or take a picture of you laughing heartily? (Maybe your photographer would like to collect a whole collection of pictures of laughing and smiling people.)

Strange Familiar Tales

This is a very fun and useful exercise for developing the imagination.

Source

You will need:

Paper and pencil (or computer and printer)

We choose one of the classic fairy tale plots and come up with a new denouement! We write it down or tell a new story aloud.

Classic fairy tales to remake:

Snow White
Wolf and Fox
Ugly duckling
Geese-swans
Cinderella
Puss in Boots
Beauty and the Beast
Little Red Riding Hood
The Princess and the Pea
Sleeping Beauty
Three Bears
Three Little Pigs
The Frog Princess

Cardboard Robot

Gather the supplies and let your child feel like an innovator robot builder! Robots can be painted in different colors, painted with unusual patterns, and even give them different facial expressions.

Source

You will need:

Various sizes of cardboard boxes (small, medium and large)
Various types of tape and electrical tape - plastic tape, packing tape, transparent tape
Scissors
Possible, but optional: toilet paper rolls, plastic bottles, plastic cups, bottle caps, egg cartons, markers, glue, fluffy wire

This is a co-creation project: make your own cardboard robot from the suggested materials. (Older children can work on their own.)

The project is challenging and trial and error, but it helps children learn how to find the best solutions and put parts together in the most efficient way. nine0004

Keep a positive attitude, remember that the main thing in any business is the pleasure of the process itself, and be ready to help correct small design flaws.

Based on the book "500 ideas for creative development"
Post cover from here

Creative games and activities | A SEA of creative ideas for children

Category Creative games and activities

How to draw soap bubbles

Julia (moreidey. ru) 2019-01-17

01/17/2019
comments 26

How to draw beautiful colored soap bubbles very simply and quickly. Master class with step by step photos for children of preschool and primary school age. (...) ...

Dinosaur pattern with appliqué elements

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2017-11-28

11/28/2017
comments 34

Drawing of a dinosaur with colored pencils with appliqué elements for children. (...) ... nine0004

Learn more »

Unconventional drawing - stroke shadows

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2017-07-15

07/15/2017
comments 50

Children's creativity on a walk and at home: non-traditional drawing - draw by tracing shadows. (...) ...

Dried leaf crafts

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2016-09-06 nine0004

09/06/2016
comments 46

Crafts and developing creative tasks from dried leaves (herbarium) for children with their own hands. (...) ...

Learn more »

Stone drawings

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2016-08-17

08/17/2016
comments 12

Do-it-yourself drawings (mosaic) from stones (pebbles) for children. Photo. (...) ...

Bunnies - handicrafts

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2016-07-31

07/31/2016
comments 10

How to make crafts with bunnies from paper palms for the holidays (Easter, New Year) or just like that. Step-by-step master class with a photo. (...) ...

Learn more »

Drawings on stones

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2016-05-25 nine0004

05/25/2016
comments 47

Drawings on stones for beginners (for children and adults) with their own hands. (...) ...

Learn more »

Winter fun with the kids: snow play

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2016-01-28

01/28/2016
comments 8

Creative snow games for children on a walk in winter: unusual footprints, drawings, etc. (...) ...

Paper mosaic with unusual texture

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2015-12-05

12/05/2015
comments 16

How to make an application - a paper mosaic with an unusual texture with your own hands. Master Class. (...) ...

Learn more »

Butterfly - thematic activity and application

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2015-05-12 nine0004

05/12/2015
comments 2

Thematic lesson and application for kids about butterflies. (...) ...

Nightingale - crafts and thematic activity

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2015-05-11

05/11/2015
comments 4

Crafts and a thematic lesson for kids about nightingales. (...) ...

Unusual ways of drawing: salt painting - butterfly

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2015-05-01

05/01/2015
comments 10

Non-traditional drawing techniques and methods for children: how to draw with salt, master class. (...) ...

Learn more »

Non-traditional painting: painting with soap bubbles

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2015-03-23

03/23/2015
comments 32

Non-traditional drawing techniques and methods for children: how to draw with soap bubbles, master class. (...) ...

Learn more »

Winter fun with children: snow figures

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2015-02-10

02/10/2015
comments 8

Winter fun and outdoor games with children: how to make very simple and more complex figures (crafts) from snow. Photo. (...) ...

Learn more »

Winter fun with children: snow lantern

Julia (moreidey. ru) 2015-02-09

02/09/2015
comments 12

Winter fun with children: a flashlight of desires made of snow (pyramid of snowballs). (...) ...

Learn more »

Do-it-yourself crafts (applications) from cereals

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2015-01-23 nine0004

01/23/2015
comments 11

How to make children's crafts from cereals and seeds using the applique technique. Photo. (...) ...

Learn more »

Sheep and lambs from the palms

Julia (moreidey.ru) 2014-12-02

02.12.2014
comments 13

Children's drawings, applications and crafts with sheep and lambs from paper palms and handprints. (...) ...

Learn more »

Sea animals - crafts and hand drawings - 2

Julia (moreidey.