Is your child an aspiring artist? Are they fascinated by colors, paints, sketches? Why not encourage them to learn and develop their skills. Art activities for preschoolers are not just fun but also aid in the development of gross and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordinationiXA cognitive skill of performing movements with hands while being guided by the eyes, and creative abilities. So, if your child is ready to unleash their inner artist then keep reading for some fun art activities for toddlers and preschoolers.
20 Art Activities For Toddlers And Preschoolers
Here are some easy art and crafting activities for preschoolers and toddlers to lighten up their day and allow them to enhance their creative skills-
1. Trace and paint the ABCs picture
Kindergarten is all about learning the ABCs of the alphabet, so this is a perfect kindergarten art project for children to apply themselves. First, fold the paper into squares and add a different color or pattern to each. Then paint alphabet letters overtop.
2. Create a tree-inspired 3-D sculpture
Head outside to the school playground where your kids can forageiXSearch for something widelyfor the sticks and twigs they want to use in this kindergarten project. Then, back inside, they stick the twigs into the sculpting clay and decorate them with beads.
3. Paper bags jellyfish
Put those scissor skills to good use with these wiggly paper bag jellyfish! All you need is brown paper lunch bags, googly eyes, and watercolor paint. For extra fun, use some decorative scissors for this kindergarten art project.
4. Make a leaf person
Head outdoors on a nature exploration and grab some leaves, twigs, pinecones, and flowers of your liking. Then paste them together to create a whole leaf family. This is fun in fall but works in spring and summer too.
5. Bubble wrap magic
Glue umbrellas to construction paper, then use bubble wrap to “paint” the raindrops! Bubble wrap is a perennial favorite for little fingers, but they will have to hold off on popping until you finish this art project.
6. Jigsaw puzzle
You’ll need cardboard, scissors, and a sharpie for this activity. Pick any random image and ask the kids to cut it out as pieces of a puzzle. This will be a fun activity for the kids to learn how everything is interconnected.
7. Yarn painting
Yarn painting is gaining popularity everywhere, and it’s simple to create an art piece without making a mess. This easy project creates cool abstract art that’s fun and satisfying to assemble.
8. Seed craft
For this activity, you need to distribute a handful of seeds to the toddlers, glue, and a sheet of paper. Ask the toddlers to use the seeds to stick on the paper in the shape of a flower, along with the stem, leaves, and ground.
9. Toothbrush Art
You’ll need toothbrushes, scissors, paper, and paint for this activity. Cut out shapes, spray the paint onto the paper, and remove it. Voila!
10. Sand art
For this activity, you’ll need paper, liquid glue, and sand. Have your child draw lines and shapes with the glue and then dust sand on them. Getting your hands dirty has never been so much fun!
11. Foil moon painting
For this activity, you’ll need foil, paint, and paper. Crumpled foil dipped in the paint can be used to create a cool, textured moon print. Then, add different layers of paint to finish it off.
12. Pipe cleaners into stick play toys
Gather some pipe cleaners lying around along with some Styrofoam packing material, and set kids free to create wild and crazy sculptures. Of course, they can add beads and any other materials too.
13. Build a glass-free mosaiciXA surface decoration made using small pieces of colored material to form a pattern or image
For this activity, give the toddlers cut vegetables and stick them on paper. Ask them to observe the color combinations that work the best while gently introducing them to primary colors.
14. Van Gogh’s sunflowers
Van Gogh is another inspiring artist for aspiring artists. Show them his famous sunflowers for inspiration and let them create their masterpieces. All you’ll need is tissue paper, paper, colors, and glue for this activity.
15. Broccoli art
For this activity, you need paint, broccoli, and a sheet of paper. Ask the toddlers to dip the broccoli into paint and print it onto the paper to get a painting of blossom trees.
16. Flowerpot painting
This is a fun outdoor painting activity. All you need are paints and some drying-up time to give the required effect. Ask the toddlers to paint one pot each with their choice of paint and make the springtime garden even more colorful and beautiful.
17. Paper Mache
You’ll need paper, a bucket, and some water for this activity. Instruct the children to tear up some pages from old books or magazines and leave them in the water. Let it stay overnight, add Fevicol to the damp mixture, and ask the students to make sculptures from them.
Davina, in her blog Tea For Monkeys, shares the process of making a paper mache jellyfish that she made along with her two boys, George and Arthur. She even shares pictures of the process. She says, “First get your balloons ready. I blew up our balloons and then attached them to the bowl to help secure them as they were being paper mached. Then tear up or cut up a whole bunch of old newspaper or magazines. To make the paper mache, I used about a 1:1 ratio of water and flour… I had the boys paper mache the balloons about 2/3 of the way down… Ask them where they want them attached. If your kids are older, I am sure they can handle the stapler on their own. However, I used the stapler here and the boys helped me staple (i).”
You can also get along with your children and enjoy the art activities.
18. Paper Egg Painting
Instruct the children to make an easter egg with paper mesh. For this, you will need a lot of tissue paper, paint, and glue. Ask the children to glue the paper in the shape of an egg and then paint it. This helps increase the cognitive skillsiXThe primary abilities needed for thinking, reading, learning, remembering, and paying attention of the child.
19. 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. Then, students use straws to blow the paint around the paper.
20. Salt dough art
Salt dough is an easy and non-toxic moldable material with which children can have unlimited fun. Make salt dough by mixing four cups flour, one cup table salt, and one and a half cups water. Let the children roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to make shapes and ornaments of their choice. If there’s a provision for baking, then bake these ornaments. These will stay longer if sprayed evenly with one or two layers of Mod Podge or a sealer. Alternatively, children can flaunt their creativity by giving shape to the dough. You can also add a few drops of food coloring to the dough.
Art activities for toddlers can enhance their creativity and imaginations. Free drawing and painting activities can be appropriate for toddlers. You may give them chalk, pencils, and crayons for coloring since they may not be able to handle liquid paints safely. Toddlers who identify colors can easily learn painting. You may also teach some basic clay art to younger children. Also, let your toddler draw and paint based on their interests and imaginations. It can be wonderful to see your little one’s creations.
Key Pointers
- Introduce rainbow colors to children by allowing them to roll and shape colorful play-doh.
- Help them discover the beauty of a rainbow through colored sand craft.
- Let them have some fun by dipping ice cream sticks in rainbow colors or painting with a colored sponge.
- Colorful ice, rainbow wall hangings, and many more fun activities as you scroll down.
Let your kids explore their creative side with these 12 awesome watercolor art activities! Perfect for kids of all ages, these activities are sure to be a hit!
