17 Easy Painting Ideas For Kids

Whether your little Picasso is a budding artist or loves to dabble in colors, providing them with easy painting ideas for kids can get their creative juices flowing and spark their curiosity. These projects are simple enough for kids of all ages to do, and they’re a great way to get creative with your children.

Painting is a fun and inexpensive way to spend time with your kids and a great way to teach them about color and composition. Here at 24 Hour Family, we have many different painting ideas and free templates available.

East painting ideas for toddlers, young kids, and kids of all ages

For kids, painting isn’t just about creating art; it’s about exploring the endless possibilities of imagination and, most importantly, having fun! Easy Painting ideas are the perfect fun activity for budding little artists.

48-Color Watercolor Paint Set With Brush, Refillable Water Brush Pen, Palette, and Water-Washable Paints for Kids, Adults and Artists Kids Paint Set – 12 Colors Kids Paint 2 oz Each – Washable Paint for Kids, Non Toxic Washable Tempera Paint, Paint Set for Kids Art, Craft, School and Home Finger Painting Projects 6 Pack Paint Tray Palettes, Plastic Paint Pallet for Kids Art Painting Palette for Painting or DIY Craft Class, White Watercolor Paint Sets for Kids – Bulk Pack of 12, 8 Washable Water Color Paints in Palette Tray and Painting Brush for Coloring, Art, Party Favors, Classrooms and Paint Party Supplies

What are the Basic Paints for Kids?

Choosing safe, non-toxic, and easy-to-use paint is essential for kids. Here are the basic types of paints suitable for kids:

Tempera Paint

Finger Paint

Watercolor Paint

Poster Paint

Acrylic Paint

Washable Paint

A sturdy art table will provide a designated space for creativity to flourish. Paint brushes of various sizes will allow for exploring different techniques and styles. A box of watercolors is a great option for little ones as they are easy to work with and clean up. Basic Art Supplies can include an art table, paint brushes, watercolor paints, regular paints, card stock papers, different types of thicker papers, paper towels, and old t-shirts.

So, roll out the paper, set up the easel, and let the magic of painting unfold as we embark on a colorful journey filled with laughter, learning, and boundless imagination.

Fun Painting Projects for Kids:

Finger Painting Fun: Let your child’s fingers become the brushes as they explore the tactile joys of making homemade bath paint. With vibrant colors at their disposal, please encourage them to create bold patterns, playful shapes, and imaginative scenes. The squishy sensation of paint between their fingers adds an extra layer of sensory delight to this classic art activity.

Bubble Wrap Painting: Who knew bubble wrap could double as a sensory painting tool? Unleash your child’s creativity by making a seahorse using bubble wrap. Dip the bubble wrap into the paint and press it onto the paper to create a mesmerizing array of bubbly patterns. It’s a simple yet fascinating technique that promises endless hours of artistic exploration.

Salad Spinner Art: This spin art craft for kids is a fun activity that encourages creativity through experimentation with color and texture while developing fine motor skills. The artist uses a salad spinner to create a fun and colorful piece.

Apple Painting: Painting and stamping using apples is a fun art activity that will get kids excited about art and enjoying a fun, creative activity. Cut fruits like apples or potatoes into different shapes, and dip them in paint. This project is easy to do and requires only a few materials that are probably already in your home, such as tempera paint, apples, and a paper plate.

Resist Process Art Technique: This Watercolor handmade card idea is perfect for your kids to make for any special occasion such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or a birthday card for a special friend or relative. Making watercolor-resist painting is unique and your kids will love getting to use that white crayon. This fun art project uses only basic supplies such as white paper, a white crayon, and washable watercolor paints.

Fall Tree Black Line Painting: This fun painting technique is the perfect fall painting craft for toddlers or preschoolers – a fall Tree Painting Scene using black paint. This fall tree painting is perfect for young kids learning to paint with watercolors. It even comes with seven free tree printable templates to print and use.

Homemade Paint Recipe: Here is a recipe for How to Make Paint that uses only four ingredients. This easy paint uses food coloring and is a simple cleanup project for moms. You can use this washable paint for finger painting and many art activities.

Add the right amount of food coloring to choose bold or bright colors. This homemade non-toxic paint would be perfect for sensory play. For toddlers, it is an excellent alternative to different types of paint that older children can use, such as tempera paints. It is also perfect because all of the ingredients in this recipe are edible and safe for toddlers to use.

Edible Paint Recipe: This creative painting recipe is simple and would be a fantastic way to teach kids their primary colors and provide them with hours of crafty fun. The needed art supplies can probably be found in your home already. You need only four things to make edible paint – clean paint brushes, sweetened condensed milk, gel food coloring, and simple foods to paint, such as fruits, marshmallows, cookies, or Rice Krispies treats.

Painting Egg Carton Flowers: Egg carton flower painting project for kids is a fun painting activity that would also make a great gift for a Mom, a special teacher, a friend, or a family member. You could use homemade paint to paint the egg carton or you could use a different kind of paint such as acrylic liquid paint, tempera paint, or even puffy paint when doing this craft project with older kids.

Hydrodip Painting using sand dollars is a simple and creative painting technique that uses a combination of nail polish and water.

Lego Q-Tip Painting is perfect for young learners, and this project includes a free printable template.

Sunflower Paint Stamping

Paper Painting Ideas

Bunny Black Line Painting: Black line art painting for kids using a bunny template can be a fun and educational sensory experience. By providing children with a template, they can practice their fine motor skills and creativity while also learning about shapes, colors, and patterns. Using black acrylic paint to make black lines, kids can fill in the spaces with different colors to create their unique artwork.

Watercolor and Salt Ocean Painting: Salt painting is a creative process using salt, glue, and watercolor craft paint to produce unique and textured paintings. To create a salt painting, children begin by applying a thin layer of glue to a design or pattern on a piece of paper.

Then, they sprinkle salt over the glue, allowing the excess salt to be shaken off. Once the salt is in place, kids can use watercolor paints to gently apply color to the salt, resulting in a beautiful and textured effect as the color spreads along the salt crystals.

Glow in the Dark: Making homemade paint that glows in the dark requires only simple supplies and would be a fun activity to do at glow-in-the-dark parties or Halloween parties.

Valentine’s popsicle stick craft: This simple yet charming Valentine’s painting activity allows children to express their creativity while making delightful Valentine’s Day crafts.

Snow White Footprint Art: Painting using fun techniques like this Disney art printable is perfect for capturing those adorable baby or toddler footprints while they are still young. Make sure to use a piece of cardstock when making this piece of art.

Creative Handprint Designs: This free printable handprint art is the perfect summer art activity to celebrate the 4th of July! You can use different colors of paint, such as red, white, and blue. Mother’s Day Handprint art would add a special touch to Mom’s memorable day. The finished product would make the perfect gift. Here is a list of the 24 best paints to use when making handprint and footprint crafts.

Fabric Paint Craft Ideas: This Sharpie Art Watercolor Mask is a fun idea to paint using Sharpie markers, and this mask uses colorful paints and tie-dye techniques.

Another easy painting idea for kids is to use household items like sponges, coffee filters, or cotton balls as brushes. Kids can dip these items in paint and create abstract paintings that will become a collectible artwork.

Consider starting with simple shapes and patterns when looking for easy painting ideas for kids. You can have your child practice painting circles, squares, or even zig-zags. This will help them develop fine motor skills and get comfortable holding a paintbrush.

More Fun Painting Ideas

These are just a few easy painting ideas to get you started. With some practice, your kids will create beautiful works of art in no time. Painting is a great way to spend time with your kids while teaching them about color and composition. These easy painting ideas are perfect for little artists of all ages.

Painting is a great way to spend time with your kids while teaching them fine motor skills, color, and composition. These easy painting ideas are perfect for little artists of all ages.

Developing fine motor skills is essential to being a child, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There are plenty of activities that you can do with your little one that will help build those crucial muscles needed later on in life. Have lots of fun with paint!

What can Kids Paint with Acrylic Paint?

Kids can paint a wide variety of subjects and surfaces using acrylic paint. Acrylic paint is versatile, durable, and easy to work with, making it an excellent choice for young artists. It works wonderfully on canvas, thick paper, unfinished wood surfaces, rocks, fabric, seashells, and recycled materials such as vintage albums.

What is easy to paint for beginners?

It’s often best for beginners to start with simple subjects and techniques to build confidence and develop foundational skills. Abstract painting allows beginners to explore color, shape, and texture without worrying about creating realistic representations.

Landscape elements like trees and mountains are also easy to paint. As you gain confidence, you can gradually add more details.