Here are 10 of our favorite art activities for elementary classrooms. These ideas are easy and low mess, and perfect for bringing some fun and creativity to your class!
It can be difficult to incorporate art and creativity into a busy classroom schedule. There are so many expectations for teachers these days, and sometimes art takes a back seat.
But it doesn’t have to be that way!
Art and creativity help students develop essential skills such as problem-solving and self-expression, while also boosting their confidence and emotional well-being. Engaging in art activities enhances cognitive development and fine motor skills, contributing to a well-rounded learning experience.
So, how to fit it in?! The key is to make it easy to set up and easy to clean up, so you’re more likely to make the time for it. And we’ve got your back.
Here are 10 easy and low mess art activities perfect for a classroom environment.
10 Easy Art Activities for Elementary Classrooms
1. Sticker Art
The next time you spot stickers at the store, grab them! For this simple art activity, give your students a piece of paper and a variety of stickers and let them create. Some will create abstract designs, and others will create concrete images, but all will have a blast!
2. Tape Art
Similar to sticker art, tape art is easy and mess-free. Simply give your students a few rolls of tape (we like colored masking tape and washi tape for this) and a piece of paper and they will get right to work. And if you want to use up some items in your recycling bin, let students use tape to create 3D sculptures from recycled materials!
3. Drawing Prompts
We LOVE drawing prompts for the easiest creative activity for students. All you need to do is print out one of the prompts (and visit our printables shop for even more prompts!) and let your students be inspired. More structured than a blank piece of paper, but more open-ended than a coloring page, drawing prompts are our favorite go-to for kids.
4. Toothpick Sculptures
If you haven’t tried building with toothpicks with your students, you must give it a try! It’s a construction project that can be as simple as poking a bunch of toothpicks in playdough for young children or as challenging as building a geodesic dome or tower for older kids. And with all the different ways to build with toothpicks, from marshmallows to Model Magic, you’re sure to find one to suit your classroom.
5. Collage Art
Collage art activities are great for kids of all ages. They don’t require any fancy skills or materials, and even the littlest artists can create beautiful and unique artwork using collage techniques.
6. Tissue Paper Suncatchers
If your classroom windows need a little decorating, try tissue paper suncatchers! They are super easy to make, and don’t require any special materials. We also love them because no matter what you use to decorate them, they always come out lovely. If you don’t mind the mess, we love to add feathers, sequins and spangles, and even a little glitter along with tissue paper.
7. Observational Drawing
Observational drawing is an excellent way to help children learn to draw what they see. It can be a flower, a person, a still life, a landscape, or anything, really. It’s an easy and mess-free way to let kids be creative in your classroom, while teaching them the important skill of observation. It’s also a great brain break for kids.
8. Playdough
Playdough is a fantastic classroom tool because it encourages creativity, sensory exploration, and fine motor skill development in children. Plus, kids LOVE to play with it! Playing with playdough can also be calming and therapeutic, making it a valuable tool for classroom management and stress relief.
9. Simply Painting or Drawing
Classroom art doesn’t have to be fancy! Giving your students a chance to draw or paint freely will boost creativity and help develop fine motor skills. These activities also allow for self-expression and can be used to learn about different subjects in a fun way. Whatever your current theme or topic of learning is, drawing or painting can be used to explore and understand it better.
10. Watercolor Resist Activities
This is a lovely and easy art process that your students will enjoy coming back to again and again. Draw designs with crayons or oil pastels, paint over with watercolors, and see the crayon designs come through the paint!
We hope these art activities for elementary aged kids help you get a little more creative in your classroom!
Want even more support for your creative classroom? Check out our brand new product, The Artful School Year. Nine months of simple creativity, ready whenever you need it.
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