​For years now, I’ve been working on this list of favorite art activities for kids. Every time we try a new art activity, or even revisit an old favorite, it gets measured against the list in my head.

To get included on my list of favorite and best art activities, it needs to fit the following criteria:

• The process is fun and open-ended
• It’s easy to do
• It’s the kind of activity that kids want to do over and over again
• Plus, the end result looks pretty great, too

Who wouldn’t want to do those activities?! So, today, I’m going to share my top 10 list with you.

10 Tried-and-True Favorite Art Activities for Kids

#1. Raised salt painting 

This is an all-time favorite kids art activity that is loved by all ages from toddlers on up. Plus it uses materials you already have! Glue, salt, and either liquid watercolor paint or food coloring.

#2. Oil pastel painting

Combine the vibrant colors and smooth application of oil pastels with baby oil for a painting effect.

#3. Nature suncatchers 

Make beautiful flower or leaf suncatchers to hang in the window! This spring or summer craft uses a paper plate as the frame for a nature suncatcher that anyone can make.

#4. Watercolor resist 

Try melting crayons art on canvas panels then add watercolors for a vibrant watercolor resist artwork. This art project is equally great for kids and adults.

Note :: Here are 6 more great watercolor resist techniques to try.

#5. The back-and-forth drawing game 

A drawing game for kids or kids and adults that allows each person to build off of the previous persons drawings. Low key yet interactive, this back-and-forth drawing game is a fun way to connect through creativity. It also makes a good waiting game at restaurants and doctor’s offices.

#6. Shaving cream marbling 

The best, easiest, and cheapest DIY marbled paper is done with shaving cream marbling. This is one of our all-time favorite art activities.

#7. Salt puffy paint 

How to make and use DIY salt puffy paint with kids. This is a tried-and-true favorite process art material and technique for children of all ages.

#8. Playdough modeling and play 

More than 15 creative playdough ideas for kids, including making fantastical creatures, using poke-ins, trying playdough mats, forming letters, and pretend play.

#9. Marble painting 

Marble painting for kids is an easy and fun action art activity that results in a wonderfully abstract work of art. You can also do this with balls, water balloons, and more!

#10. Spin painting

Spin painting is a favorite kids art activity that can be done with a salad spinner or with a kids spin art machine. A comparison of the two methods plus ideas for what to do with all the spin art.

How about you? What’s on your list of top 10 all-time favorite art activities for kids?

By the way, if there are some art activities on the list above that you haven’t tried yet, I promise you they are good ones that are worth exploring with your kiddos. And if there’s something on that list that you have done, perhaps it’s time to revisit it?

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