The value of a good art education in early elementary school, especially kindergarten, cannot be overstated. Art allows kids to learn about the world around them while exploring colors, textures, shapes, and more. Some art projects allow kids to work on their hand-eye coordination through cutting and tracing. Still others allow them to learn about primary colors and color mixing as they mix paints and explore the color wheel. We have something for every interest on our list, including 3D sculptures and projects that use unconventional materials like dried corn or small animal figurines. Some projects require a good apron and drop cloth, while others are relatively mess-free. Check out our favorite kindergarten art projects to try with your class today!
Meri Cherry
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. (Make this project COVID-safer by taking it outside and spacing kids out while they work.)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.)
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.
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!
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.
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!
Grab some black craft paper, a heart stencil, and some chalk pastels and get crafting!
Premeditated Leftovers
31. Craft 3D 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.
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.
33. 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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
44. 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
53. 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.
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.)
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.
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!
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.
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!)
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 With Jenny K.
64. Reinforce numbers with art
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.
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!
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.
Wow Art Project
67. Create Ukrainian Pysanky eggs
Hold a mini social studies lesson while creating some fun and arty eggs. Teach kids about this Ukrainian craft before getting started.
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.
69. Create a dazzling sunrise
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.
Art Teacher HQ
70. Make colorful Popsicles
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!
Try drawing cherry blossoms with your kindergarten class for a quick and easy spring project.
73. Crumple up some fun
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!
74. 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.
75. Amaze with a cool pencil sculpture
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!
76. 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
77. 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.
Keep the creativity going with these 25 Fun Kindergarten Writing & Storytelling Prompts!
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