There’s no better time to experiment with art than kindergarten! Kids this age are buzzing with creativity and always willing to try something new. These kindergarten art projects use every kind of media, so kids learn to paint, sculpt, draw, weave, and more. Plus, they’ll discover some famous artists along the way. Save all of your students’ work and put together an art show at the end of the year for parents and caregivers. Your little artists will be proud to show that they can do so much more than finger paint!
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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!
Learn more: Meri Cherry/Kindergarten Weaving
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.
Learn more: Pocket of Preschool
3. Pile up paper tubes
Don’t throw away those tubes after you print with them! Instead, pile them up to make unique sculptures.
Learn more: Art Bar
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.
Learn more: Kindergarten Nation
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.
Learn more: A Dab of Glue Will Do/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!
Learn more: Artistro
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.
Learn more: Cassie Stephens/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.
Learn more: Meri Cherry Art Studio/Self-Portrait Shadow Box
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.
Learn more: Deep Space Sparkle/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.
Learn more: Deep Space Sparkle/Color Wheel Flowers
11. 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
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.
Learn more: Capturing Parenthood
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.
Learn more: Cassie Stephens/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.
Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Yarn Sculptures
15. 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
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.
Learn more: Picklebums/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.
Learn more: Paper Plate Fun/Gumball Machine
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.
Learn more: Mini Mad Things/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!
Learn more: Mrs. Harris’ Art Room/Coffee Filter Art
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.
Learn more: Arty Crafty Kids
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. We especially love that they will be reviewing various shapes in the process!
Learn more: Little Family Fun/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!
Learn more: NurtureStore/Sunflowers
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.
Learn more: An Artful Parent
24. 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/Moon Prints
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.)
Learn more: Picklebums/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.
Learn more: Pre-K Pages
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!
Learn more: Arty Crafty 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.
Learn more: Mrs. Harris’ Art Room/Textured Trees
29. Create a scribbler
We love that this 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 like this one on the floor then letting the kids go wild with their “scribblers.”
Learn more: The Craft Train/Paper Roll Scribblers
30. 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/Chalk Hearts
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.
Learn more: Premeditated Leftovers
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.
Learn more: Meri Cherry Art Studio/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.
Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/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.
Learn more: Powerful Mothering
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!
Learn more: Team Cartwright
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.
Learn more: I Heart Arts N Crafts/Balloon Stamping Earth
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.
Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/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!
Learn more: Projects With Kids
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.
Learn more: NurtureStore/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 wood craft sticks.
Learn more: Preschool Powol Packets
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.
Learn more: Elements of the Art Room/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!
Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4 Me
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.
Learn more: My Mommy Style
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!
Learn more: Hello, Wonderful/Crepe Paper Art
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 the story out on construction paper, leaving a trail of prints across the page.
Learn more: Fun-a-Day
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.
Learn more: No Time for Flash Cards
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.
Learn more: Deep Space Sparkle/Pinch Pot Kitties
48. Give a thumb’s up to these cute bugs
These sweet little 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.
Learn more: Toot’s Mom Is Tired/Thumbprint Bugs
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.
Learn more: Shine Brite Zamorano
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!
Learn more: Kids Craft Room
51. Paint with bubbles
Kids are forever blowing bubbles, so add tempera paint and create beautiful art prints!
Learn more: Early Learning Ideas
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 needs only paint and paper plates and reveals all sorts of interesting results.
Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/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.)
Learn more: Crafty Morning
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.
Learn more: Art Is a Way
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!
Learn more: Apex Art
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!
Learn more: Art Projects for Kids/Super Easy Drawing
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.
Learn more: Hello, Wonderful/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!
Learn more: Art Is Basic
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!)
Learn more: Gift of Curiosity
61. 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
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-skill practice!)
Learn more: Mair Town Kindergarten
