50 Kindergarten Art Projects to Spark Their Creativity

Kindergarten art projects are always a blast. At this age, kids are eager to try out all sorts of new materials and techniques, and their creativity is just waiting to be tapped. We’ve rounded up a whole bunch of imaginative ideas, from painting and pastels to clay and yarn. It’s time to get a little messy—and make some amazing art!

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1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 Class

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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 

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. Paint with bubbles

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

Learn more: Early Learning Ideas

41. 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

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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

45. 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 paint. Oink oink!

Learn more: Apex Art

46. 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

47. 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

48. 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

49. 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

50. 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 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!

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