Painting That Are Easy for Kids to Draw

If you want to try painting for kids, I have just the projects for you. Try these acrylic paint crafts with your little ones – so much fun!

Skills Required: None. All of these ideas are perfect for beginners, as well as children of any age. I believe adults will have just as good of a time making these as the kids will.

One of my earliest memories of doing crafts of any kind is taking painting classes in second grade. I also remember exactly what I wanted to paint that year – my first muse was named Claire, and she was my Cabbage Patch Kid.

I remember her little pink jumper, blonde braids, blue eyes, and tiny pig nose. And how I tried to paint them so diligently and accurately. I think the nose was a little too big, the head misshapen, and the braids definitely too thin.

But that's not the point, right?

Painting for kids isn't about being the next Van Gogh. At least from my perspective. What I was painting didn't matter, because I was learning to express my creativity and add my own interpretation of the world to paper with paint and a brush.

Painting is a fun art activity for kids that promotes not only creativity, but fine motor skills. And it's never too early to start.

Painting Ideas for Kids

If you're ready to dig into some painting ideas for kids, I've got a ton for you. And you're going to love them. Before we get started though, I want to go through some frequently asked questions about painting for kids.

To get to the projects, simply scroll down to the list. Otherwise, here are the top questions answered!

What kind of paint do you use for kids?

You can use a variety of paints with children's crafts. Here are the most common paints that I recommend to you:

• Acrylic Paints – you'll find inexpensive sets in the kids' section of the craft store.
• Craft Paints – these are typically sold as individual bottles in the paint section of the craft store. My favorite brand is Apple Barrel.
• Tempera Paints – this paint is thinner and more liquid than acrylic. It's harder to control when you want a really sharp looking project, but it's inexpensive (and typically washable!).
• Watercolor Paints – made from a pigment and a binder, and the thinnest of any of the paints. For kids you'll buy these in a tray, and they're very budget friendly.

You can also make homemade paints, which are featured in some of these projects (for example, puffy paint!).

For any paint type you select, make sure the label says "Conforms to ASTM D-4236." Conforms to ASTM D-4236means that the label will indicate if there are any hazardous substances within the paint. It's typically required of art supplies.

You're going to be looking for paints that don't list hazardous substances as ingredients – waterbased, non-toxic paints. That way if the paint gets on the skin or (oopsie) in the mouth, you don't have to worry.

What does painting do for a child?

I believe this quote says it best!

Painting is a way for children to do many important things: convey ideas, express emotion, use their senses, explore color, explore process and outcomes, and create aesthetically pleasing works and experiences.

–Penn State Extension

What kind of paint is best for beginners?

I recommend starting with acrylic paint. Specifically, look for craft paint at Michaels (or your local favorite craft chain), in the painting section of the store with all the individual bottles.

Use Apple Barrel or something similar. Apple Barrel is a non-toxic craft/acrylic paint that is perfectly pigmented and just the right price. It's really easy to use and the color palettes are great.

How do I teach my child to paint?

I would say there is more a parent needs to do to prepare a child for painting than the kid! Get mentally prepared for a bit of a mess and cover your workspace (and your child) accordingly.

More than teaching them to paint, let your child be creative. Walk them through a lot of the projects below – there are several techniques and lots of different tools that kids will enjoy. Don't try to control the process; let your littles have a good time and go in whatever direction the project takes them.

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Ready to jump into painting with kids? Check out the great list of projects below!

DIY Spin Art Machine

Photo Credit: diycandy.com

Make your own spin painter by using a household item as a spin painter! This DIY spin art machine is so fun for kids to do – it's a budget friendly painting technique and easy to set up.

Button Birdhouses

This easy birdhouse craft is such a great craft for kids. They will keep your children occupied this summer – and the colorful buttons are so fun!

Sweet Strawberry Rocks

Photo Credit: sustainmycrafthabit.com

These is such a perfect idea for tiny little stones, and so easy to make. What other fruits can you make out of painted rocks?

Scrape Painting

Photo Credit: www.artycraftykids.com

Scrape painting is a super simple art process for color mixing! Using red, yellow, and blue paint, kids can create bold and colorful works of art with simple tools.

Wood Chip Necklace

Photo Credit: www.skiptomylou.org

Grab some wood circles in various sizes, paint them on both sides, and turn them into unique necklaces! This is a great project that can also be turned into keychains, charms, and more.

Glue & Fabric Batik

Photo Credit: www.artbarblog.com

Children will love painting on fabric, and washable glue makes a perfect resist for this project! Kids will love making their own unique designs.

Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Photo Credit: Steve Carrell

This three-ingredient sidewalk chalk paint is a blast for kids! Learn how to make it – you probably have everything on hand. This sidewalk paint is such a fun summer activity!

Glowing Moon Shirt

Photo Credit: Leslie Manlapig

Make a glow in the dark t-shirt with an image of the moon using this easy tutorial – all you need is some glowing fabric paint.

Painted Rock Photo Holder

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

This painted rock photo holder is perfect as a homemade gift, and also makes a great summer camp craft! This creative idea uses stones of various sizes and can be adapted for just about any age.

Flower Print + Scrape Painting

Photo Credit: www.playfullearning.net

Using flowers as brushes is a fun way to start painting for kids! After you paint with the florals, you try a scraping technique that adds a colorful touch to this interesting project.

Shaving Cream Painting

Photo Credit: thesimpleparent.com

Turn shaving cream into a paint medium with the addition of food coloring. I love this Earth Day project that uses paper plates as a canvas.

Colorful Paper Plate Flowers

Photo Credit: Leslie Manlapig

Leslie uses four paper plates to make each flower along with some beautifully vibrant watercolors! Kids are going to enjoy the effects they can get with layering the floral pieces.

Painting with Circles

Photo Credit: www.messforless.net

For this fun art activity, you'll use disposable cups to create bold paintings. This would be a great art project to do with a shape study.

Rainbow Flower Pots

Photo Credit: Jacy Pulford

Use a variety of colors to make painted flower pots with rainbow ombre awesomeness! Both children and adults alike will love this easy craft. So fun!

Q-Tip Watercolor Painting

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

Here's a classic process art project for kids – painting with Q-tips (cotton swabs) and watercolor paint. This art activity is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and on up!

Handprint Rainbows

Photo Credit: kidscraftroom.com

This rainbow painting for kids will allow your littles to get really "hands-on"! Children will love exploring color mixing and blending as they create their art.

Balloon Dart Painting

Photo Credit: Agnes Hsu

Dart balloon painting is a fun way to get creative outdoors! Kids will love seeing the paint splatter which results in bright and colorful abstract paintings.

Jellyfish Salt Painting

Photo Credit: www.iheartartsncrafts.com

Have you ever tried salt painting for kids? You use real salt along with glue and watercolors to make vibrant, textured images.

Spray Bottle Galaxy

Photo Credit: mamaoflittles.com

This simple space painting project is perfect for any age child, even one who is hesitant about their artistic ability or creativity. You really can't mess it up!

Rainbow Squeegee Art

Photo Credit: Agnes Hsu

This fun process art for helps kids experiment with vibrant rainbow colors using a squeegee painting method. Make unique art on a variety of surfaces.

Van Gogh Fork Scrape Painting

Photo Credit: thepinterestedparent.com

Even kids can paint the starry night! It's easy to imitate one of the masters using bright colors and a fork. It's fun to see how children interpret this classic painting.

Poinsettia Canvas

This easy canvas painting for Christmas will be a cute addition to your holiday decor! Families can make this poinsettia canvas together.

Rock Doll Faces

Photo Credit: Agnes Hsu

These sweet dolls are easy to make with just a few simple items and make adorable handmade gifts from the kids. They're also fun for pretend play with lots of options to create unique characters.

Smushed Paint Art

Photo Credit: ohjoy.blogs.com

What if there were a technique were you could smush paint to create art - but not get messy? Guess what, I've found it! Smush painting uses a simple kitchen supply for a unique effect.

Cherry Blossoms with Cotton Balls

Photo Credit: www.projectswithkids.com

Nothing says spring like seeing blooming cherry blossom trees in gorgeous shades of pink! This cherry blossom painting is a wonderful spring art project for kids. You use cotton balls to paint.

Colorful Squirt Gun Painting

Photo Credit: www.firefliesandmudpies.com

Get your littles painting AND get them outside at the same time! Squirt gun painting for kids is about as fun as it gets. Try a wide variety of colors with this painting technique!

Mix 'N' Match Snakes

Photo Credit: kidscraftroom.com

This silly snake project gives kids a chance to paint patterns. Children can enjoy mixing and matching the brightly coloured segments to make a unique snake every time they play.

Painting Swirly Flowers

Photo Credit: www.makeandtakes.com

Painting swirly flowers is as simple as can be, but with frame-worthy results. You and your children will have fun combining colors and creating your own uniquely beautiful, bold flowers.

Craft Foam Rocket Ship

Photo Credit: persialou.com

Can you believe this rocket started as a styrofoam egg? Grab your paints and make a few with various color combinations. Not only are these fun, but they're fun to play with!

Kids Canvas Art DIY

Photo Credit: allcraftythings.com

This instant canvas paint art is perfect for children of all ages - because once the tape is down, it doesn't matter where the paint goes. The tape acts as a resist!

Paint on Foil

Photo Credit: www.kitchentableclassroom.com

Foil painting just requires an easy little switch. Foil instead of paper means a new painting surface; a slippery, reflective surface that's extra fun to paint on.

Drip Painting Rainbow

Photo Credit: theeducatorsspinonit.com

Your child will have so much fun with this drip painting rainbow name activity. The vibrant rainbow colors are super cool, and any age can participate.

Make Art with Straws

Photo Credit: www.simpleeverydaymom.com

Have you ever heard of blow painting? I'll give you a hint - you're going to use a straw. The effects are cool, and your children will be amazed by the technique.

Big Art Feet Painting

Photo Credit: funathomewithkids.com

Be honest - you've always wanted to dance around in paint. I'll tell you right now that it's always been a dream of mine! I guess it's never too late, right?

Painted Walking Sticks

Photo Credit: happyhooligans.ca

Painted walking sticks are a great art activity that doesn't cost a thing! Your kids will be so proud to carry their custom-painted sticks when hiking around the neighborhood or out in nature.

Giant Coffee Filters

Photo Credit: www.artbarblog.com

This is fun painting idea for kids to make as a group! See how Barbara pulled together a bunch of littles, watercolors, and coffee filters to make some pretty and bright art.

Potato Stamps

Photo Credit: thepinterestedparent.com

Making paint stamps out of vegetables? It's not only possible - this tutorial shows you how to do it! Your children will love stamping various creatures and shapes out of their tubers.

Homemade Puffy Paint

Photo Credit: happyhooligans.ca

This homemade puffy paint recipe is easy to make with just three ingredients: self-rising flour, salt and water. Paint your picture, put it in the microwave, and it puffs right up! Your kids will love it!

Easy Pour Painting

Photo Credit: Courtney Sanchez

Acrylic paint pouring is all the rage, and kids can try it too. Make these extremely colorful, marbleized pieces of art in a few simple step. I really dig the results!

Acrylics with Kids

Photo Credit: www.artbarblog.com

Let kids get really creative with bright acrylic paints on an old sheet, then frame in embroidery hoops. Can't you envision a whole wall covered in these colorful round paintings?

Pendulum Painting

Photo Credit: Agnes Hsu

This unique pendulum painting teaches children that everyday objects can create amazing art. Experiment with various paint colors and substrates.

Recycled Paint Scrapers

Photo Credit: www.kitchentableclassroom.com

Do you have a used gift card or an old credit card? If so, you have exactly what you need to make this DIY paint scraper for kids. These are so easy and such a fun, satisfying process for children of any age!

Star Garland

Photo Credit: picklebums.com

Stars are so versatile! Paint newspaper with watercolor and then cut out star shapes to make a garland. These are great for parties, birthday, graduation, and more.

Paint with Bubbles

Photo Credit: alittlepinchofperfect.com

Save your old soap dispensers to use as unique bubble painters! The bubble paint looks puffy when wet and shiny when it's dry and feels smooth to touch. Kids will love it!

BIG Bubble Wrap Painting

Photo Credit: picklebums.com

Speaking of bubbles, here's another painting technique that kids will love! Use bubble wrap as a fun stamp along with paint on paper.

Inspired by Matisse

Photo Credit: Agnes Hsu

Creating big art is a fun way for kids to express themselves freely and is easy to set up! Using a big canvas and bold acrylic paint colors, children can have a Matisse of their own.

Yarn Resist Birch Trees

Photo Credit: thepinterestedparent.com

Create your own birch tree forest art using canvas, yarn, and craft paint. It's fun to paint a set of four to represent all of the seasons.

Claude Monet Water Lilies

Photo Credit: www.artycraftykids.com

Using a piece of card and spoon for color mixing, children can recreate their own impressionist water lily painting. Kids can experiment with their hands, brushes, a sponge, or anything else that adds texture.

Pointillism Art with Q-Tips

Photo Credit: artfulparent.com

Pointillism art with Q-tips is a perfect standby, super-easy-yet-interesting painting activity that you'll turn to again and again when littles are bored. Great activity for hand eye coordination.

Rolling Pin Prints

Photo Credit: www.funlittles.com

Grab some rolling pins from the thrift store, wrap them in yarn, and turn them into paint printing machines! Use bright colors for maximum results.

Yarn Art Paintings

Photo Credit: artfulparent.com

Think you can't paint with yarn? Think again! The result of this type of painting for kids is a unique project that has a bit of a Picasso feel.

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Did you love these easy painting ideas? Want some additional creative ideas for kids? Try the following posts:

• These Boredom Busters for Kids Are So Much Fun!
• Toilet Paper Roll Crafts: 50+ Great Ideas!
• Summer Crafts for Kids: 50 Quick & Easy Ideas!
• Popsicle Stick Crafts: Fun Ideas for Kids of All Ages!
• Easy Crafts for Kids: 50 Unique Ideas!

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