Looking for art ideas for kids, whether for a rainy afternoon at home or a quiet activity after school? From finger painting to cosmic suncatchers, here are 8 Awesome Art Projects for Kids You’ll Want to Treasure — so stock up on those frames!
1. Finger Painting Fun – The Artful Parent
This one can get messy, so be prepared! This Finger Painting Fun idea from The Artful Parent uses sensory sand finger paint, which feels like regular finger paint but with a slightly grainy texture that kids love exploring. Use a painting tray to keep paint off the furniture, and let your child swirl, write and experiment with all the different colours.
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2. Art Projects for Kids – Tape & Sharpie
We love this Tape & Sharpie Skyline idea from Art Projects for Kids. Create straight lines for buildings using masking tape, then colour it in with sharpies for a bold, graphic effect.
This site has a regularly updated blog of art projects with ideas for children of all ages, so there’s always something new to try. You can browse by age group, artist, theme or type of media — paint, ceramics, craft and more.
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3. Blow Painting
Use a thicker paper for this one. Let your child dollop some paint onto the page, then give them a straw to blow the paint across the paper in different directions, creating fun branching patterns.
Supervise younger children closely to make sure the straw doesn’t touch the paint!
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4. Cosmic Suncatchers – Babble Dabble Do
Kids of all ages will love making these cosmic suncatchers from Babble Dabble Do, then hanging them in a window to catch the light. The best part is they’re quick and easy to put together with just watercolours, glue and plastic lids — perfect for busy parents.
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5. Decorated Pencils – Martha Stewart
Jazz up a pencil case with these fun decorated pencils from Martha Stewart. Not only do they look great, they’re satisfying to make, and your child can feel proud using them every day. All you need is some tape, a pencil and paints, with a simple step-by-step guide to follow.
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6. Puffy Sheep Mobile – Red Ted Art
Red Ted Art is a treasure trove of blogs and videos full of art ideas for children of all ages, covering all kinds of art and craft projects. This Puffy Sheep Mobile project shows how to create a fluffy little sheep using bubble wrap and paint. There are plenty of other great ideas on the site too.
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7. Toilet Tube Animals – Creative Me Inspired You
We love this recycling art project from Creative Me Inspired You: toilet tube animals. If your house is anything like ours, there are always plenty of empty tubes lying around waiting to be turned into something fun.
The Creative Me Inspired You site has several posts dedicated to kids’ crafts, each one talking you through what you need and how to do it, step by step.
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8. Happy Hooligans
Happy Hooligans shares 25 easy art and craft techniques for preschoolers and toddlers. These use things you likely already have at home, and are explained simply by a mum who runs a home daycare — with plenty of tips for keeping little ones engaged and creative.
You may also like Simple Art Projects for Toddlers & Preschoolers & 22 Easy Painting Ideas for Kids
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages are these art projects suitable for?
Most of these ideas work well for toddlers right through to older children, though a few — like blow painting and finger painting — need closer supervision with younger kids. Check each project’s linked instructions for age-specific tips.
Do I need any special materials?
No. Everything here uses everyday household items and basic art supplies — paint, paper, tape, straws, plastic lids and recycled materials like toilet roll tubes. Nothing requires a special shopping trip.
Which of these projects is the least messy?
Decorated pencils and the tape-and-sharpie skyline are the tidiest options here. Finger painting and blow painting are the messiest, so it’s worth covering the table or working outdoors if you can.
Can these be done as a group activity, like for a party or classroom?
Yes — most of these scale up nicely for a few children working together, particularly the toilet tube animals and decorated pencils, which don’t need much space per child.
Related Articles
If you enjoyed these ideas, you might also like 18 Easy Paper Crafts for Kids You’ll Want to Make Too, 50 Brilliant Ideas for Art & Crafts for Kids (That Are Worth The Mess), and 16 Super Easy Craft Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers — all packed with more simple, budget-friendly ideas for keeping little hands busy.
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Over to you! Let us know your favourite art projects for kids in the comments below.
