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!
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.
Get tutorial: Kindergarten Weaving Project
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.
Get tutorial: 2D Shape Activities for Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten
3. Pile up paper tubes
Don’t throw away those tubes after you print with them! Instead, pile them up to make unique sculptures.
Get tutorial: Cardboard Tube Sculptures
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.
Get tutorial: Snail Craft and Writing Prompt
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.
Get tutorial: 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!
Get tutorial: Handprint Drawing
7. Trace and paint the alphabet
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.
Get tutorial: Kindergarten Alphabet Paintings
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.
Get tutorial: Self-Portrait Shadow Boxes
9. Get stately with watercolor castles
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.
Get tutorial: Watercolor Castle
10. 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.
Get tutorial: Color Wheel Flowers
11. Explore block painting
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.
Get tutorial: How To Paint With Blocks and Learn About Paul Klee
12. 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.
Get tutorial: I’m Not Just a Scribble – Scribble Art
13. 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.
Get tutorial: Clay Turtles
14. 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.
Get tutorial: Yarn Art
15. Use straw painting 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 on the paper. (Make this project COVID-safer by taking it outside and spacing kids out while they work.)
Get tutorial: Straw-Blown Peacock Painting
16. 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.
Get tutorial: Cardboard Sculptures
17. Craft a gumball machine
This gumball machine is so cute! We especially love how simple and affordable it is to re-create.
Get tutorial: Gumball Machine Craft
18. Make junk robots
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.
Get tutorial: Junk Robots
19. Mold Chihuly-inspired bowls
Show your students pictures of Dale Chihuly’s breathtaking glass art. Then grab coffee filters and markers to make your own colorful creations.
Get tutorial: Chihuly paper bowls kindergarten art lesson
20. 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.
Get tutorial: Claude Monet Water Lilies Art
21. Build a Dino
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.
Get tutorial: Build a Dinosaur
22. 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!
Get tutorial: Van Gogh Sunflower Art Project
23. 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. You can do a jellyfish salt painting, a scenic salt painting, or just something abstract.
Get tutorial: Raised Salt Paintings
24. Practice painting on foil
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.
Get tutorial: Foil-Printed Moon Craft
25. 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.)
Get tutorial: Pipe Cleaner Sculptures
26. 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.
Get tutorial: Colored Corn Mosaic Art
27. 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!
Get tutorial: Cool Cat Newspaper Art Project for Kids
28. 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.
Get tutorial: Textured Trees
29. Create a scribbler
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!
Get tutorial: Paper Roll Scribblers
30. Make some glowing hearts
Grab some black craft paper, a heart stencil, and some chalk pastels and get crafting!
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.
Get tutorial: String Letters
32. 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.
Get tutorial: Mini Art Books
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.
Get tutorial: Crumpled Paper Art
34. 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.
Get tutorial: Rainbow in a Bag
35. 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!
Get tutorial: Paint-Less Watercolor Process Art for Kids
36. Use balloons as stamps
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.
Get tutorial: Balloon Stamping Earth Day Craft
37. 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. It’s similar to drip painting, where paint is splattered around the canvas.
Get tutorial: Yarn Painting
38. 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!
Get tutorial: Field of Tulips Q-tip Painting
39. 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.
Get tutorial: Shape Garlands
40. 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 wooden craft sticks.
Get tutorial: 10 Awesome Piet Mondrian Projects for Kids
41. 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.
Get tutorial: Crayon Craft
42. 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!
Get tutorial: Paint With Bubble Wrap
43. 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, pine cones, and flowers for accents, if you like. Then paste them together to create a whole leaf family.
Get tutorial: Fun and Easy Leaf People Craft
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!
Get tutorial: Easy Crepe Paper Canvas Art With Kids
45. Print paw-some footprint art
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.
Get tutorial: Process-Based Pet Art Activities
46. 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.
Get tutorial: Paper Bag Jellyfish Craft
47. 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.
Get tutorial: Pinch Pot Animals
48. Give a thumb’s up to these cute bugs
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.
Get tutorial: Thumbprint Bugs Craft
49. 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.
Get tutorial: We’ll Keep on Biggering and Biggering
50. 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!
Get tutorial: Edible Paint Recipe
51. Paint with bubbles
Kids are forever blowing bubbles, so add tempera paint and create beautiful art prints!
Get tutorial: How To Paint With Bubbles
52. Learn about symmetry with smush 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.
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.
Get tutorial: Painted Plates
54. 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.)
Get tutorial: Puffy Paint Ice Cream Cone Craft for Kids
55. 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.
Get tutorial: Half Self-Portraits Project by Hannah’s Art Club
56. Practice circles with paper piggies
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!
Get tutorial: This Little Piggy Went Wee, Wee, Wee
57. Design circle chicks
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.
Get tutorial: Super Easy Drawing Project
58. 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.
Get tutorial: Butterfly Art
59. 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!
Get tutorial: Line Windsocks for Kindergarten
60. 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!)
Get tutorial: Cut Up Art – a 3-step art technique for kids
61. Paint a field of wildflowers
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.
Get tutorial: Kindergarten Wildflowers
62. Create a tree-inspired 3D 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-skills practice!)
Get tutorial: Embellishing Nature
63. Use your hand to make an adorable bunny
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.
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.
Get tutorial: Kinder Freebie
65. Study the color wheel
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!
Get tutorial: Color Wheel
66. Make beautiful flower prints
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.
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.
Get tutorial: Kindergarten Ukrainian Pysanky Eggs
68. Do some homemade scratch art
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.
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.
Get tutorial: P Is for Popsicle Collage
71. Piece together a collage face
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!
Get tutorial: Collage Faces
72. Try a cherry blossom art project
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.
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!
Get tutorial: Paintsicles: Frozen Paint Cubes for Creative Fun
78. Explode some paper tube fireworks
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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