Art activities for kindergartners help kids learn about the world around them! Exploring colors, textures, shapes, and contrasts opens their eyes to details big and small. Kindergarten art projects allow kids to work on their hand-eye coordination through cutting and tracing, or teach about primary colors and color mixing. Our big list of kindergarten art ideas includes projects in every medium, using all kinds of art supplies (even non-traditional ones!). There’s something here for every child and classroom.
When people think of kindergarten art projects, they tend to think of finger painting. But there are so many more creative ways for kids to express themselves with paint. Try a few of these with your students.
A Dab of Glue Will Do
1. 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.
Grab some muffin tins at the thrift store, then turn them into unconventional painting tools. The process makes a bit of a mess, so be sure to use washable paints.
Paint pouring so much fun, and the results are seriously impressive. Once you try this with rocks, you’ll find yourself looking for more fun things to cover in mesmerizing marbleized patterns!
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.
These castles use a fun technique where students draw designs and shapes with crayons and then paint over it with watercolors. Students will definitely be amazed to see the way the crayons resist the paint.
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 over the top. You can try a variation where you arrange an abstract alphabet by having the letters overlap, etc.
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.
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 on the paper.
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. You can do a jellyfish salt painting, a scenic salt painting, or just something abstract.
Combine story time 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 out the story on construction paper, leaving a trail of prints across the page.
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!
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.
Buggy and Buddy
15. Twist and paint paper plates
Process art puts more emphasis on the process of creating rather than the results themselves. This active art activity requires only paint and paper plates and reveals all sorts of interesting results.
These round little piggies give kindergartners the perfect chance to practice drawing circles. All you need is watercolor paper, a black marker, and watercolor paints. Oink oink!
We love a good printmaking project, and this one uses items you probably already have lying around at home. Follow the directions in the video to create the balloon and marble stamps, then let your students choose a paint color. Next, let them dip the balloon into the paint and create flower prints. Finally, have them add stems with green paint.
18. Use forks to paint flowers
These fork-print tulips are so easy and are a great introduction to printmaking. Let kids individualize their paintings by deciding on colors and how many tulips to include.
Learn With Play at Home
19. Freeze some paint
While we bet you didn’t have frozen paint on your bingo card, we think you’ll love this fun kindergarten art activity. Put some paint in an ice cube tray, stick some Popsicle sticks in it, and let it sit. Then let your little artists get to work!
This kindergarten art project is simple, but the end result is explosive! Be sure to save up those toilet paper rolls in the weeks leading up to the craft.
Buggy and Buddy
21. 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.
This is the perfect kindergarten art project for Earth Day, but it could be done anytime. It doesn’t require a lot of preparation since all you will need is blue and green paint, some balloons, and paper.
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. It’s similar to drip painting, where paint is splattered around the canvas.
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!
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.
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!
Help young learners make an emotional connection to art with this kindergarten project. Kids can tap into what they’re feeling and then decide how they want to express it on paper.
If you’re looking for inexpensive art activities for kindergartners, papercraft can be the way to go. These projects also give kids fine motor skills practice as they cut, tear, and paste.
Deep Space Sparkle
28. 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.
30. 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!
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.
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.
Not only is this bunny adorable, it’s also a valuable learning opportunity for kindergartners. They can work on their hand-eye coordination since they’ll have to both trace and cut to make their new bunny buddy.
Art Is Basic
34. 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!
Before diving into this adorable project, read the book Mouse Paint to your students. Then get them to create their six little mice that will come together to form a perfect color wheel!
This collage project is perfect for studying color and texture. Before doing this project with your students, hot-glue three Popsicle sticks to a piece of white card stock. Next, have them choose their base color for each Popsicle. Finally, have them glue on scraps of paper to create their collages.
Save up all those Amazon boxes before getting started on this project. Kids will love piecing together their faces from cardboard scraps. We love that it teaches about recycling!
This is another fun tissue-paper craft. Simply have kids glue crumpled-up pieces of red tissue paper to an apple outline and then add an adorable face.
40. Create a paper roll koala
We highly recommend cutting out the various pieces for the paper roll koalas ahead of time so your students can concentrate on piecing them together. They can cut paper rolls to the desired height of their new desk buddy.
Arty Crafty Kids
41. Cut out newspaper cats
Work on scissors skills by cutting basic shapes out of newspapers and magazines. Then have kids assemble them however they like to create cute kitty cats!
This project can be done on short notice since all you will need are markers, duct tape, paper rolls, and paper. Add to the fun by unrolling a huge sheet of white paper on the floor and then letting kids go wild with their scribble art!
Don’t limit young learners to play dough—let them try sculpting with air-dry and fired clay too! Plus, there are plenty of 3D sculpture art activities for kindergartners that use other simple materials.
Cassie Stephens
43. Model textured clay turtles
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.
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.
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.)
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.
There are few things that kindergartners love more than robots. This is a great project for using those last bits of buttons, paper scraps, old toys, and stickers. You can make this project as complicated or as simple as you want.
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-skills practice!)
This is a really ambitious project for kindergarten so we definitely recommend setting aside a few classes to create these as well as having an extra set of adult hands on deck. The end result will be well worth it though!
NurtureStore
52. 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.
Once your students know how to coil clay, make these cute little snails. Raid your bead stash for the accents, and each little snail will have its own personality.
Adding texture to clay makes simple creations much more interesting. Students will love personalizing their own initials with this easy kindergarten clay project.
These cute puppy magnets are simple to form and get a little extra pizazz due to their textured ears. Parents can use these to hang the rest of their child’s kindergarten art projects on the fridge!
The cool thing about this art activity for kindergartners is that there are no rules. Kids can simply play with form, shapes, and color until they create something they like. (If you don’t want to deal with small pieces of wire, try using pipe cleaners instead.)
The trick to creating these recycled cardboard sculptures is to cut slits in the bottoms, so it’s easy for kids to fit them together into towers and more.
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.
Simple sewing projects like this are terrific for motor skills practice. But they also encourage creativity as kids choose colors and designs, making each of these hearts as unique as their own!
Turn fabric scraps into a masterpiece! This easy project lets kids play with texture, pattern, and color as they overlap and layer various fabrics. Hold it all in place with some Mod Podge.
Alphabet practice meets art! Cut letters from cardboard, then let kindergartners choose yarn colors and wrap in any pattern they like. This is especially fun if you have kids spell out their names.
First, kids draw people on paper. Then, they cut out fabric scraps to create dresses, pants, shirts, hats, or any clothing they like. Perfect for aspiring fashion designers!
This yarn art activity for kindergartners is a fun way to use up all those short bits of leftover yarn. Kids can create rainbows that follow the natural color pattern, or let their imaginations soar free.
These sweet little birdies are a perfect spring art activity for kindergartners. Make things easier by cutting the cardboard bird shapes in advance, then let kids choose their own yarn colors and patterns.
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.
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.
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.
These little chicks are just so adorable and easy to create. Have students trace a small circular item with black marker, then have them personalize their chicks.
This art project also reinforces number recognition. Have kids make these adorable “I am [blank] years old” art pieces by having them create bubble numbers, shading in just their age.
Kids love a good scratch art pad so why not teach them to make their own? All you need is paper, a paper clip, and some crayons.
74. Try a cherry blossom art project
Try drawing cherry blossoms with your kindergarten class for a quick and easy spring project.
Teach Kids Art
75. Sketch stars
Teaching kids the simple trick of drawing a five-pointed star seems kind of like magic. Once they know how, they can use them in all sorts of art activities for kindergartners.
Divide a piece of paper in four, and start each season’s drawing with a simple circle to kick-start the creative process. It’s fun to see what kids think of when they consider the various times of year.
The concept is simple, but the results can be really fun. Just draw a series of different types of lines, then color the spaces between.
80. Trace warm and cool hands
Tracing hands is a classic kindergarten art activity. This project helps young learners explore the differences between warm and cool colors.
Mixed-Media Art Activities for Kindergartners
Combine traditional art materials like pastels and crayons with more unique choices like shaving cream, paper plates, and more to create these mixed-media projects.
Meri Cherry
81. 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.
Purchase some craft foam, then get to work cutting various shapes from it. Your students will enjoy building their own unique dinosaurs from those shapes. And kids will be reviewing various shapes in the process.
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.
Vincent 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!
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!
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, pine cones, and flowers for accents, if you like. Then paste them together to create a whole leaf family.
These sweet little thumbprint bugs are just so adorable! Read a book like The Big Book of Bugs before having your little artists get to work on their thumbprint creatures.
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.)
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.
Mondrian is another artist whose work is very appealing to young kids. Create Mondrian-inspired squares by decorating and assembling individual wooden craft sticks.
This flower-inspired project touches on impressionism in a way that 5-year-old kids can grasp. All you need is black paper, chalk for the stems, and paint for the flowers.
For a true collaborative art project, ask your students’ families to round up spare buttons and send them in. Then, students can arrange them into a colorful rainbow display.
First, grab some twigs from outside and glue them in place to form the bare branches of a winter tree. Then, use a cotton swab to dot in a swirl of snowflakes.
This is a relatively easy art project that can be done in a few simple steps. Begin by having kids use Sharpies to create the outline of the sunrise. Then, have them use watercolors to paint in the lines. Finally, have them use crayons to create some shading and color variation.
Pre-K Pages
98. 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.
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.
