Easy painting ideas provide a fantastic way to stimulate creativity and promote fine motor skills for little hands. These crafts can be simple and so much fun while using materials that are easily found at home.
From finger painting to sponge stamping, painting is a fun way for kids to experiment with color, texture, and form. Check out some of the best ideas for painting with kids below.
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Fun Painting Crafts for kids
Check out a handful of fun painting ideas that encompass different materials and different ways to use paint! These craft ideas are great for young children and older ones too.
Finger Painting
Finger painting is a hands-on activity that allows children to use their fingers as brushes. It enhances sensory development and is an excellent way for kids to express themselves. Let’s be honest, kids of all ages love to get their hands dirty every now and then.
Kids can experiment by mixing colors directly on paper. Using non-toxic, washable paint is essential to ensure easy cleanup.
Set up a protective covering on the work area. Encourage children to explore shapes or create abstract designs. This activity not only boosts creativity but also builds confidence in expressing their artistic ideas.
Check out this cute idea for finger painting on tin foil! This is a great way to let your little one explore finger paints and still be able to clean up easily! You can also use different mediums other than paint like shaving cream or even mixing salt in with the paint product for “salt painting.”
Creating Stencil Art
Stencil art introduces younger children to the concept of shapes and outlines without having to freehand anything. Stencils can be made from various materials, including cardboard and plastic. Kids can use commercially available stencils or create their own.
By applying paint over the stencil using a sponge, brush, or even something like coffee filters, children can create clean and precise images. This craft helps them learn about layering colors and can be adapted for various themes, such as nature or animals.
Note; It is helpful to use painter’s tape or masking tape to hold stencils in place.
Stencil art projects are great for older kids who want to create something a little more “finished.” Check out this Pineapple stencil wall art tutorial! With just a piece of white paper, watercolor supplies and a stencil of your choice, your child can create a beautiful masterpiece!
Abstract Painting Techniques
Abstract painting encourages creativity without the need for a specific subject. Children can explore colors, shapes, and textures freely and there are no rules! They can use tools like balloons, string, or even their hands to experiment with various techniques.
One approach is to use a canvas or heavy paper as a base. Kids can start by applying a base color and layer additional colors for depth. They can even cut paper up and create shaped with the cut out paper! Check out this cute abstract art idea!
Seasonal Painting Projects
Seasonal painting projects allow little kids to celebrate different holidays of the year. Let me show you a few!
Holiday-Themed Crafts
Holiday-themed crafts are perfect for engaging children during festive times. Each holiday offers unique painting opportunities, such as creating Christmas tree ornaments using acrylic paints or designing colorful Easter eggs with watercolors or food coloring.
Make sure to keep Acrylic paint, tempera paint, and watercolor paints on hand for these projects. Really any kind of paint will do just make sure it’s washable and non toxic!
Check out this cute tutorial on painting wood slices in a Christmas theme. These are a fun activity that can be a great keepsake for years to come.
Speaking of painting wood, check out how we painted a handful of Popsicle sticks to make them look like a candy corn, a scarecrow, and a pumpkin too. This is another great craft for older children.
Also check out our pumpkin paper plate craft! All you need is a few paper plates, brushes and paint!
Nature-Inspired Artwork
Nature-inspired artwork allows kids to explore the outdoors as inspiration for their projects. Activities like leaf printing and rock painting can familiarize children with textures and colors found in nature.
This leaf printing project looks like so much fun. It uses paint, leaves and rocks to create a lovely fall craft. You can experiment with different colors to make it suitable for any season!
You can see where we recently painted a handful of rocks in the theme of a Nativity scene. Not only can kids create something from nature, but they can also arrange it and play with it once it’s complete!
We hope you’ve found a handful of fun ideas to engage your children with paint! In a world of tech, sometimes all our children need is a piece of paper and a little paint to let their creativity shine!