54 Fantastic 3rd Grade Art Projects That Teach and Inspire

Impressive projects for creative kids.

Examples of the best third grade art projects including folding and curving colorful lines and two kids wearing aprons pretending to eat paper mache ice cream cones.
We Are Teachers; amazingartadventures.blogspot.com; plbrown.blogspot.com

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Every artist was first an amateur.” That’s why it’s so important to expose kids to plenty of artistic styles and concepts early in life. The more they experience now, the more inspired they’ll be as they grow. We have compiled some of the best 3rd grade art projects that utilize a variety of media, from paint and pastels to clay and collage. Some of the projects are based on famous artists or art movements and therefore provide an opportunity for an art history lesson as well! There’s so much here to inspire young artists.

1. Grow a garden of Georgia O’Keeffe flowers

Large red, blue, yellow, and purple flowers in the style of Georgia O'Keefe (Third Grade Art)
paintbrushrocket.blogspot.com

O’Keeffe’s big brilliant blooms are very accessible for kids. Paint enormous flowers in a variety of colors and mount them on contrasting backgrounds for a gorgeous display.

Learn more: Georgia O’Keeffe Flowers at Paintbrush Rocket

2. Paint watercolor winter landscapes

Collection of colorful winter landscapes painted on cardboard rounds
cassiestephens.blogspot.com

Capture the gorgeous colors of a winter sunset with this 3rd grade art project. Painting on cardboard pizza rounds makes it extra fun!

Learn more: Watercolor Winter Landscapes at Cassie Stephens

3. Create African masks

An African mask is constructed from paper, beads, and other mixed media.
ecokidsart.com

Teach children about the history of African masks and their uses in ceremonies, then let them create their own masks that are meaningful to them. Provide many different types of materials so kids can really personalize their masks.

Learn more: African Masks at ecokidsart.com

4. Make mixed-media jellyfish

Third grade art projects include this collage of watercolor resist paintings with pastel chalk jellyfish
deepspacesparkle.com

First, kids create a gradient background and add paint-spatter bubbles. Then, they use chalk and oil pastels for the jellyfish and seaweed. Things really are better under the sea!

Learn more: Jelly Fish Art Project at Deep Space Sparkle

5. Draw Popsicles with chalk

multiple drawings of popsicles are shown on black backgrounds.
artteacherinla.com

Teach your students about value, then have them create these Popsicles using Crayola chalk on black card stock. Let your students pick light and dark shades of a color to use on their Popsicles.

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Learn more: 3rd Grade Popsicles with Values at Art Teacher in LA

6. Use dots to paint aboriginal-style animals

Animals painted in solid colors, surrounded by multi-colored dots (Third Grade Art Projects)
theartsyfartsyartroom.blogspot.com

Explore the history of Australian aboriginal art, then create some of your own. The results of this 3rd grade art project are truly impressive.

Learn more: Australian Aboriginal Dot Art at The Artsy Fartsy Art Room

7. Paint with salt

Brightly colored puffy paint is swirled across a paper.
artfulparent.com

First, have students create a design on paper using Elmer’s Glue. Then, have them pour salt over the paper and clean the excess salt off. Finally, have them dip a paintbrush into watercolor paint and watch as their designs come to life!

Learn more: How To Make Raised Salt Paintings at The Artful Parent

8. Add cotton steam to 3D mugs

Construction paper coffee mug with cotton batting used to create steam
artwithmrsfilmore.com

Cotton batting adds such a cool detail to these colorful mugs. Use oil pastels and the watercolor resist method to create the background and mug pattern.

Learn more: 3D Winter Mugs at Art With Mrs. Filmore

9. Learn to add dimension with watercolor donuts

Watercolor painted donuts in a variety of colors
criscoart.blogspot.com

Use jar lids in two different sizes to draw donut shapes. Then, fill them in with watercolors, using different shades to add depth.

Learn more: 3rd Grade Donuts at Color It Like You Mean It!

10. Teach perspective with 3D letters

Steps to draw 3-D letters that spell John are shown.
drawinghowtodraw.com

Kids love drawing bubble letters so why not use it as an opportunity to teach one-point perspective?

Learn more: 3D Letters in One-Point Perspective at How To Draw Step by Step Drawing Tutorials

11. Paint trees from a new vantage point

Trees are painted from the perspective of someone laying on the ground looking up. Leaves are created using a dotting technique.
beverlygurganus.com

This is another lesson in one-point perspective. Have your students use a Q-tip to create dots for leaves. Be sure to have them make the dots smaller as they get closer to the top since those leaves are farther away.

Learn more: One-Point Perspective Trees at Beverly Gurganus Fine Art and Home

12. Weave two paintings together

Two paintings of leaves are cut into strips and woven together.
kitchentableclassroom.com

“You want me to cut up my paintings?” Students may be surprised at the instructions, but once they weave the two together, they’ll be wowed by the results.

Learn more: Weaving Paper at The Kitchen Table Classroom

13. Handwrite and create cursive bugs

Third Grade Art Projects include this one. The name Michelle written in cursive with a reflected version below, colored to look like a bug
tinyartroom.wordpress.com

Third graders are often working to perfect their cursive writing, so that makes this project a great fit. Have kids write their name and mirror it below. Then, add colors and details to turn it into a cute name bug.

Learn more: Cursive Name Bugs at tinyartroom.wordpress.com

14. Use mixed media to create owls or other animals

An owl is created from triangluar shaped papers that have paint splattered on them. Two large owl eyes are drawn on and a beak.
www.mamalife.love

Although this project will take a week to complete, the end result will be worth it! First, teach about artist Jackson Pollock and create splatter paintings. Then rip them into triangular shapes that will be glued to a piece of card stock to form the owl’s head. Once these steps are finished, have your students paint the eyes and beaks. Finally, put everything together.

Learn more: Animal Collage Art Lesson at mamalife.love

15. Sculpt fantastic clay birds

Drawing of a colorful bird, next to the same bird sculpted in clay with feathers added
artroomblog.blogspot.com

Start by having your 3rd grade art students dream up the bird they’d like to sculpt. Then pull out the clay and get to work!

Learn more: 3rd Grade Clay Birds at Art Room Blog

16. Copy Kandinsky’s squares and circles

Third grade art projects include this page divided into squares with a tree outline, with colorful circles painted in the squares
artycraftykids.com

Show your 3rd graders Kandinsky’s famous circles in squares, then have them create their own. Grab this spooky tree template at the link below.

Learn more: Spooky Tree Kandinsky Inspired Art at Arty Crafty Kids

17. Draw a portrait of Maya Angelou

A simple drawing of Maya Angelou from the shoulders up is shown. It says "Maya" across the top.
artprojectsforkids.org

Maya Angelou once said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Pair an ELA lesson with this art lesson and read some of Angelou’s poetry while your students color their portraits.

Learn more: How To Draw Maya Angelou at Art Projects for Kids

18. Trace and color your hand

Third grade art projects include this pencil tracing of hand, with marker lines across it using arcs to create a 3D illusion
candiceashmentart.blogspot.com

You’ll only need simple supplies for this 3rd grade art project. Kids trace their hands, then use markers to make lines, adding small arcs to create the illusion of 3D. It seems simple, but students will really have to concentrate as they work.

Learn more: Illusional-Delusional Hand Art at Candice Ashment Art

19. Color hands with warm and cool colors

Third grade art projects include these drawings of hands with circles behind them in different colors.
artwithmrshurley.blogspot.com

Here’s another take on a hand-tracing project. In this one, students learn about warm and cool colors and use those contrasts to make striking pieces that feature their own hands.

Learn more: Warm and Cool Hands at Art With Mrs. Hurley

20. Explore identity with these self-portraits

A hand-drawn little girl is shown from the waist up. items are drawn around her that include an ice cream and a recycling symbol.
artwithmrsfilmore.com

Teach your students about Frida Kahlo and her self-portraits, and then have them create their own! Have them include at least six personal symbols.

Learn more: Self-Portraits With Personal Symbols at Art With Mrs. Filmore

21. Sketch mesmerizing mandalas

Patterned mandala circles on a green background
artisbasic.com

Students use a compass to create concentric circles and patterns with radial symmetry. Then they choose markers or colored pencils to color them in.

Learn more: Mandalas at Art Is Basic

22. Paste together collage bugs

Winged bug made of magazine scraps with chalk legs on black paper
artprojectsforkids.org

Collages are always a hit with kids, so we love this version where kids use paper scraps to craft colorful insects. Combine it with a science lesson to expand the learning.

Learn more: Bug Collage Project at Art Projects for Kids

23. Practice lines with a fun hair-redo

Five artworks are shown. There are photos of kids with their hair cut off. In it's place, kids draw crazy hair on top of their photos using a variety of lines.
wahooartroom.blogspot.com

Before beginning this fun 3rd grade art project, you will need to take a digital photo of each of your students. Once the photos have been printed, have them cut their hair off of it. Finally, practice different types of lines as your students create crazy and fun hairstyles for themselves!

Learn more: Bad Hair Days at Wahoo for Art!

24. Finish the picture

Third grade art projects for kids include this photo of three people backed by a mountain, with the larger landscape drawn in colored pencil
artwithmrsfilmore.com

This is such a cool project! Provide kids with a selection of scenes cut from magazines. They choose one, then draw or paint the rest of the picture around it. They can keep it realistic or use their imagination to jazz things up.

Learn more: Finish the Picture at Art With Mrs. Filmore

25. Include goals in your art

white strips separate black shapes with bright paint splatterd on them. A hand is seen writing words on the white areas.
buggyandbuddy.com

Before painting, have your students lay painter’s tape across their canvas to create different shapes. Then, have them splatter paint across their page. Once dry, peel the tape off to reveal white areas in the artwork. Finally, have your students fill in the blank spaces with goals or positive attributes.

Learn more: Inspirational Splatter Paint Art Project for Kids at Buggy and Buddy

26. Add a cityscape to Starry Night skies

Third grade art projects include this starry night sky in pastels with black construction paper skyscrapers in front
elementsoftheartroom.blogspot.com

Van Gogh’s Starry Night series is one of his most famous. In this 3rd grade art mashup, kids paint a starry night background, then glue black construction paper skyscrapers over the top.

Learn more: 3rd Grade Starry Night Cityscapes at Elements of the Art Room

27. Draw something out of this world

A black background has a rocketship drawn in the corner and different colored planets
artisbasic.com

This project incorporates mixed media as well as several different processes. We love how much variety there will be in your students’ finished pieces since there are a lot of opportunities in this project for individuality.

Learn more: Outer Space Artwork for Kids at Art Is Basic

28. Build Ton Schulten–style cityscapes

Third grade art projects include these colorful skyscrapers against a sky painted in geometric blocks
paintbrushrocket.blogspot.com

Ton Schulten paints landscapes using bright blocks of color. This is an easy concept for kids to try, and the results are vivid and joyful.

Learn more: Ton Schulten Cityscapes at Paintbrush Rockets

29. Design a beaded snowflake

A snowflake is shown that has been created using pipe cleaners and different blue and clear beads.
firstpalette.com

This is the perfect art project to do during those long winter months. Supplies are minimal since all you will need are pipe cleaners, some string, and a large assortment of beads.

Learn more: Beaded Snowflake at firstpalette.com

30. Get inspired by nature

A simple marker drawing of a boy is in the center of the page and leaves and flower petals have been glued around him including to form his arms and hair.
petitandsmall.com

While this project would be harder to do during the winter, some store-bought flowers could help with that. If you’re doing this project in the spring or fall, bring your students for a nature walk to collect their own found media!

Learn more: Easy, Fun, DIY Activities You Can Do With Your Kids at Petit and Small

31. Chalk still-life compositions like Cézanne

Oil pastel still life pieces of apples and pears in the style of Cezanne
youngartlove.wordpress.com

Explore the style of Paul Cézanne, then have students try creating still lifes of their own. Use oil pastels to create the look of visible brushstrokes.

Learn more: Cezanne Still-Lifes: 3rd Grade! at Young Art Love

32. Color birch trees and add cardinals

Birch tree branches surrounded by colorful marker lines, accented with a red cardinal
tabithaannthelostsock.blogspot.com

Get step-by-step instructions at the link to help your 3rd grade art students make this fun pop art birch tree scene. Cut out and add the red cardinals last.

Learn more: Birch Birds at The Lost Sock

33. Cut and curve colorful lines

Marker lines cut out into strips, then pasted into curves
amazingartadventures.blogspot.com

First color a series of thick and thin marker lines. Then cut them into strips and create colorful curves.

Learn more: Moving Lines at Amazing Art Adventures

34. Fill in hexagon honeycombs

Yellow and brown honeycomb made from interconnected hexagons, with paper bees on top
elementsoftheartroom.blogspot.com

Use a hexagon template to draw the honeycomb, then shade it in with oil pastels. Cut out and add some bees on top to finish it off.

Learn more: Beautiful 3rd Grade Bee Hives at Elements of the Art Room

35. Put together Matisse collages

Third grade art projects include this collage of colorful curved shapes
artwithmrsfilmore.com

First, color squares of paper with tempera paint. Then, cut out free-flowing organic shapes and paste them together into a collage, just like Henri Matisse did.

Learn more: Matisse-Inspired Collages at Art With Mrs. Filmore

36. Mold sweet ceramic flowers

Third grade art projects include simple ceramic flower bowls with bugs and butterflies
cassiestephens.blogspot.com

Kids love getting their hands on some clay. These pretty flowers are accented with frogs, butterflies, and bugs for a special touch.

Learn more: In the Art Room: Ceramic Flowers With Third Grade at Cassie Stephens

37. Draw symmetrical patterns

Symmetrical pattern colored in contrasting warm and cool colors
artmuse67.blogspot.com

Have students draw symmetrical patterns, then fill each half with contrasting cool and warm tones.

Learn more: Symmetrical Warm and Cool Compositions at Art Muse 67

38. Tuck textured tigers into a forest collage

Textured painted tiger among construction paper leaves and flowers
elementsoftheartroom.blogspot.com

Start by having students create textured prints in orange paint. Turn those into tigers, then surround them with paper leaves and flowers in a forest of the night, inspired by Henri Rousseau’s well-known Tiger in a Tropical Storm.

Learn more: 3rd Grade Painted Paper Tiger Collage at Elements of the Art Room

39. Discover tints and shades with ice cream

Third grade art projects include painted ice cream cones with each scoop a different shade of a single color
aschukei.blogspot.com

Artists create tints by mixing colors with white and shades by mixing colors with black. Try out some paint mixing with your 3rd grade art students by creating these yummy ice cream cones.

Learn more: 3rd Grade Tint/Shade Ice Cream Cones at aschukei.blogspot.com

40. Snack on papier-mâché ice cream cones

Three third grade art students pretending to eat paper mache ice cream cones
plbrown.blogspot.com

Speaking of ice cream, how adorable are these papier-mâché triple-scoop cones? Kids will really have a blast putting these together.

Learn more: Super-Delicious Paper-mache Ice Cream Cones at plbrown.blogspot.com

41. Fold pop-up Van Gogh chairs

Third grade art projects include this open card with pop up chair in the style of Van Gogh
mrsoconnellsartroom.blogspot.com

Take a look at Vincent van Gogh’s chair paintings, then challenge students to create pop-up chairs that reflect their own personalities.

Learn more: Van Gogh Chairs at Mrs. O’Connell’s Art Room

42. Pose paper chickens

Papier-mache chicken adorned with paper strips
greenbayartroom.blogspot.com

Add folded paper strips to a papier-mâché chicken, stand it tall on its skinny legs, and admire your creation!

Learn more: 3rd Grade Chicken Sculptures at greenbayartroom.blogspot.com

43. Transfer sugar skulls to foil

Third grade art projects include this colorful Mexican sugar skull imprinted on aluminum foil
artwithmrsfilmore.com

Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead with colorful sugar skulls. Re-create them with super-cool texture and shine with this fun aluminum foil project.

Learn more: Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Drawings at Art With Mrs. Filmore

44. Paint some Jim Dine–inspired hearts

A black outline of a heart is in the center of the page and it is surrounded by and filled in with bright specks of paint.
woojr.com

Students often learn about Andy Warhol in school, but why not teach them about other pop artists like Jim Dine? Inspired by his painting The Confetti Heart, this project would make for a nice Valentine’s Day gift!

Learn more: Pop Art for Kids: Painted Heart Inspired by Jim Dine at Woo! Jr. Kids Activities

45. Paint folk art–inspired trees

Third grade art projects include this white piece of paper that has the outline of several different style trees in black. Paintings with trees colored using watercolor are shown in the background
deepspacesparkle.com

This project packs a big punch since it teaches about line, pattern, shape, and painting technique. And it can be completed in a single class!

Learn more: Winter Folk Art Trees at Deep Space Sparkle

46. Collage like Picasso

Third grade art projects include this one that is shown. The left image shows a face that has been assembled from different shapes and colored paper for features. The right side shows a child working on their collage
artfulparent.com

First, introduce your students to Pablo Picasso and some of his more famous works including the painting Weeping Woman. Then, encourage them to use different shapes and colors to create a self-portrait collage.

Learn more: How To Make Picasso Collages for Kids at The Artful Parent

47. Create a simple comic strip

Kids in 3rd grade love to read comics or graphic novels like Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Dog Man, so have them create their own. A simple version is shown in this video: Fold a paper into thirds and create a beginning, middle, and end.

48. Grow paper flowers

Six different paper flowers are shown in different shapes and colors.
firstpalette.com

There is something so whimsical and sweet about these eight-petal paper flowers. Have a variety of paper available in different colors and patterns so students can really get into personalizing them.

Learn more: Folding Paper Flowers at firstpalette.com

49. Fly away with these folk art birds

Third grade are projects include these brightly colored illustrations of birds. Nine different drawings are shown.
anniesartroom.weebly.com

Before doing this project, introduce your students to the “folk art” movement and provide them with examples in that style. Then let them get creative as they put their newfound knowledge to the test making their own folk art birds!

Learn more: 3rd Grade Folk Art Birds at Annie’s Art Room

50. Draw some wacky monsters

This is the perfect single-class art lesson for really any elementary school–age student, 3rd graders included. While students will follow some basic steps to create these cute and crazy monsters, there is still a lot of room for creativity and personalization.

51. Get inspired by Joan Miro

A page is filled in entirely in different shapes and colors and a stick figure girl is also included.
easyartprojectsforkids.org

Begin with a quick lesson on Spanish artist Joan Miro, who was especially well known for the childlike quality of her art. Then let your students create their own Miro-inspired masterpieces using watercolors, markers, and crayons.

Learn more: Easy Joan Miro Art Project at Art Projects for Kids

52. Look into this surrealist lesson

Before doing the visual art lesson, begin with an art history lesson on the Surrealist movement and, in particular, Belgian artist René Magritte. Be sure to introduce them to his painting False Mirror, which shows clouds inside an eye. Then, let your students create a scene of their choosing inside the drawing of an eye.

53. Make bead mosaics

an assortment of beads is shown and a rainbow on a piece of paper created from them.
prettylifegirls.com

Teach your students about the rich history of mosaic art, which dates back to ancient times. Then, supply your students with a variety of beads and let them create their very own mosaics.

Learn more: Kids Craft: How To Make a Bead Mosaic at The Pretty Life Girls

54. Sculpt like Giacometti

Introducing sculpture to your 3rd grade students is important, and learning about one of the 20th century’s most influential sculptors, Alberto Giacometti, is a great way to get started. Once they’ve learned a bit about his style, they can try re-creating their own Giacometti-inspired sculptures using tinfoil.

Inspire their imaginations further with these Creative 3rd Grade Writing Prompts.

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Teach your 3rd grade art students about famous artists and help them develop their creative skills with these clever projects.