Can we do art with toddlers? What is an appropriate art activity for toddlers? In the post we're sharing some of our favorite easy to set up toddler art activities that kids love!
Why are art activities good for toddlers?
Art activities are so important for toddlers!
Here are five reasons why I think art is good for toddlers:
- Art is FUN and helps kids develop their creative skills!
- Art helps toddlers build their fine motor skills.
- Art is a great way for toddlers to connect and build positive relationships with friends, caregivers, and teachers.
- Art allows kids to explore new sensory experiences and materials.
- Art helps kids experiment and problem solve!
My formula for an awesome toddler art activity
- Inexpensive materials
- Easy to set up
- Fun to repeat
What type of art activities are fun for toddlers?
- Painting
- 3-D Art and sculpture
- Printmaking
- Tape resist art
- Crayon resist art
- Collage art
- Fizzy Art
- And so much more!
Art Tips to remember with toddlers:
- Toddlers have short attention spans. Expect it for toddler art activities. Keep them simple. Leave art out so that they can come back to it if they want to try it again.
- Toddlers love repetition and it's good for their brains. They learn new things each time. It's ok to repeat the art activities they love over and over again.
- Let the mess stay within your comfort zone. Your toddler wants to connect with YOU and that doesn't require doing art projects you don't feel comfortable with!
- Focus on the process... not the end art product. As toddlers are creating, they are learning so much and exploring the process and materials.
Show me all the easy art projects for toddlers!
Activities that allow kids to create and explore different art forms are so fun! We love to study different artists and give kids access to a variety of different art materials. At the toddler stage, process art, allows kids to focus on enjoying how they create and worry less about the end product. As we give kids open-ended art ideas and allow them to lead, it is pretty amazing what they come up with!
RELATED: Need more easy toddler ideas?
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Cardboard Art Activities
Cardboard is a great tool to help make so many easy art projects for toddlers! It's inexpensive (you probably already have a bunch) and can be used in so many ways!
Here are several toddler art activities using cardboard!
Paint a Cardboard Birthday Cake by Meri Cherry
Painting in a Box by Toddler Approved
Painting with Balls in a Box by Kids Activities Blog
Make a Stuffed Animal House by Toddler Approved
Extreme Box Decorating by Busy Toddler
Printmaking with Cardboard Rolls by Friends Art Lab
Scrape Painting by Toddler Approved
Dot Scrape Art by Toddler Approved
Cardboard Rainbow Collage by Art Bar
Art Ideas with Q-tips
Q-tips are a fun and unique painting tool! The best art activities for toddlers are simple. You can just pair Q-tips with paint and another tool to make for a fun art process. Check out the easy art ideas below using Q-tips.
Here are several toddler art activities using Q-tips:
Q-Tip Painting by Toddler Approved
Painting on Foil with Q-Tips by Messy Little Monster
Watercolor Garland with Q-Tips by Art Bar
Contact Paper Q-Tip Art by Mess for Less
Q-Tip Texture Art by Craft Kids At Home
Q-Tip Painting on an Easel by Toddler Approved
Arts Ideas with Cotton Balls
Cotton balls are typically a bathroom staple, but did you know that you can use them for art too? These are a favorite art tool because we always have them at our house! Check out these creative toddler art activities to try with cotton balls. You can also use pom poms for these art ideas too if you prefer those over cotton balls!
Here are some easy art projects for toddlers using cotton balls:
Cotton Ball Splat Painting by Toddler Approved
Painting with Water and Cotton Balls by Happy Toddler Playtime
Painting with Pom Poms by Toddler Approved
Cotton Ball Throw Painting by The Chaos and the Clutter
Cotton Ball Flower Painting by Happy Toddler Playtime
Rainbow Art with Cotton Balls by Simple Fun for Kids
Salad spinner Art Ideas
Do you have a salad spinner? Ours has never actually been used with salad, but we do love to do art activities with our salad spinner! If you haven't tried it yet, DO IT! It's always a fan favorite with my toddlers and preschoolers (and big kids!).
Here are some easy art projects for toddlers using a salad spinner:
Rainbow Spin Art Painting by Toddler Approved
Spin Art Buffet Bar by Meri Cherry
Spin Art Butterflies by Toddler Approved
Spin Art Rocks by Meri Cherry
Spin Art Pinecones by Naturally Curious Children
Spin Art Heart Suncatcher by Toddler Approved
Cools Ways to Paint
There are so many cool ways to paint! You can pretty much paint with any material... even your body! Here are a few of our favorite ways to paint. I'll bet you can think of a dozen more. Make sure to tell us about your favorite way to paint in the comments.
Here are some easy toddler art activities using a paint:
Painting on ice by Toddler Approved
Sponge Painting by Days with Grey
Painting with Trucks by Toddler Approved
Finger Paint Color Mixing by Friends Art Lab
Under the Table Painting by Toddler Approved
Shower Curtain Painting by Happy Toddler Playtime
Muffin Tin Printing by Toddler Approved
Painting with Bubble Wrap by The Artful Parent
Splatter Painting by Toddler Approved
Blow Painting by Toddler Approved
Splat Painting by Toddler Approved
Painting with Dinosaurs by Toddler Approved
Salt Painting by Toddler Approved
Painting with Cookie Cutters by No Time for Flashcards
Paint with sticks by Toddler Approved
Paint with water by Toddler Approved
Paint with water balloons by Toddler Approved
Paper Plate Smush Painting by Toddler Approved
RELATED: Want even more easy painting ideas? Check out these 15 Creative Ways to Paint with Toddlers.
Spray Bottle Art Ideas
Not only are spray bottles fun to create with, they are great for helping toddlers build fine motor skills! Spray bottles are probably one of the most popular tools for art activities with my toddler classes. They're unpredictable and kids love seeing what happens when they squirt with them!
Here are some easy toddler art activities using spray bottles:
Fizzy Spray bottle art by Toddler Approved
Spray Art by Toddler Approved
Spray Bottle Fireworks by Barley and Birch
Handprint Spray Art by Buggy and Buddy
Crayon Resist with Spray Bottles by The Crafting Chicks
Stickers Art Activities
Stickers are one of our favorite tools to use again and again for art activities! There are so many different types of stickers to use. These simple sticker themed activities can be adapted for any holiday or theme.
Here are some simple toddler art projects using spray bottles:
Sticker Name Activity by Toddler Approved
Sticker Hearts Activity by Toddler Approved
Foam Sticker Roller Painting by No Time for Flashcards
Sticker Drawings by Childhood 101
Tape Art Ideas
Tape is one of my secret weapons as a parent. It can be used for SO MANY THINGS, including easy art activities!
Here are some simple toddler art projects using tape:
Giant Outdoor Tape Resist by Busy Toddler
Tape Resist Snowflake by Toddler Approved
Masking Tape Art Rug by The Artful Parent
Peel & Stick Tape Art by Hands-On As We Grow
Art Ideas with Chalk
Chalk is one of our favorite outdoor activity tools, especially during the summer... but did you know that you can use it all year long for art activities?!!
Here are some simple toddler art projects using chalk:
Floating Chalk Prints by Toddler Approved
Chalk Fireworks by Toddler Approved
Wet Sidewalk Chalk Activity by Happy Hooligans
Chalk Spray Paint by Imagination Tree
Other Cool Toddler Art Ideas
This list of toddler art activities doesn't even begin to cover and hundreds and hundreds of ways that you can create with kids. There are so many techniques and tools to try! This list will be updated as we find more art projects that kids will love that we think are "must try" activities for you!
Here are more cool toddler art projects:
Paper Towel Drip Art by Toddler Approved
Tissue Paper Printing by NurtureStore
Foamy Soap Painting by I Can Teach My Child
Painting with Crayons by Babble Dabble Do
Doily Painting by Tinkerlab
Nature Smash Painting by No Time for Flashcards
Shaving Cream Heart Art by Toddler Approved
I guarantee we missed one of your favorite toddler art activities! Let us know in the comments what other art activities we need to add to this list.
FAQ
Salad spinner art and painting in a box are two of our favorite art ideas for two year olds.
Here are our 10 must have art supplies, plus more favorites!
Having a plan and sticking within your comfort zone help make art with toddlers easier! Don't forget to read our 7 tips to enjoy being crafty with your toddler.
We love using a lazy susan and open bins to organize art materials. Don't forget to read our favorite tips for organizing arts and crafts materials.
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