Top 10 Tips for Teaching Kids Art

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Have you thought about teaching your kids art at home?

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For years I struggled with teaching kids art.

I struggled. I sweated. And I worried. Turns out, I was making a few simple mistakes in how I taught art to my kids. When I started applying these 10 tips, art actually began to happen.

The kids draw. They painted. And they created art!

1. Keep Supplies Available

You can’t make art without supplies! I know, this sounds obvious, but have you ever tried to color without crayons or colored pencils? It’s rather hard! What about painting without paint?

Kids need art supplies if they’re going to create art.

If you’re anything like me, you always forget to run out and grab the supplies you need for projects. And life is much easier when the kids have the art supplies they need available when they need them.

For starters keep crayons, colored pencils, regular pencils, watercolors, tempera paints, chalk pastels, oil pastels, and plenty of paper in the house. Keep your art supplies in a box near the kitchen so it’s available whenever the kids want to do art.

Teaching kids art is easier when you don’t have to hunt down art supplies every time they want to paint!

2. Encourage Mixed Media

Along with the art supplies, keep mixed media available for the kids to use.

Mixed media includes:

old papers
newspaper
buttons
yarn
string
And other odds and ends

You’ll need glue or Mod Podge as well. That’s what you’ll use to stick the mixed media together!

And you’ll be amazed and what types of fabulous artwork kids can create with mixed media!

They’ll glue buttons onto their pictures. Use string and yarn to add depth and texture to their work. And use a newspaper to add interest.

So keep a variety of media in your art box for the kids to use. Then encourage the kids to use mixed media in their art!

3. Teaching kids art by Improvising

My kids and I have loved running through various art classes this spring since we have a membership to the Masterpiece Society.

But we often don’t have the specific supplies needed for the project. And that’s okay. We improvised! For instance, during one art class, my daughter needed acrylic paints so I pulled out tempera paints instead.

To improvise, you simply grab the closest thing you can find to the needed supplies. And let the kids create art!

Often the kids have more fun improvising and using various materials than they do just following the directions.

Then they’ll turn around and ask to use different materials than recommended in the art class.

That’s okay. It’s called art!

And I never argue with the artist!

4. Copy masterpieces

Copying masterpieces is an awesome way for kids to improve their artwork.

Just pull out pictures of old masterpieces and have the kids try recreating the Mona Lisa or sculpt David.

Have the kids start with a sketch before they begin to paint and see how close they can replicate the original painting.

It’s also a great way to study the masters as well!

I recommend study one master a term and slowly work through the different pieces.

By the time you’ve finished the term, your children will truly know that master and his artwork!

5. Try Different art Styles

You can do the same thing for studying the different styles of art.

Choose one style, such as impressionism, to study for a term.

And then slowly work through a book or course on the style and practice the various techniques. Kids can create paintings, sketches, and cards for family and friends.

Don’t forget to copy the masterpieces of the style and let the kids try using the techniques in their own artwork.

You’ll find kids will know the style inside and out by the time the term is ended.

And you’ll be amazed at the artwork your children will have created!

6. Head outside

Take your kids outside to draw or paint sometimes. Set up easels and let your kids pretend to be famous painters.

It’s also an awesome way to add interest when you’re studying one style of art.

Remember to practice using the techniques of the style as you paint or draw outside. And the change of pace will inspire your kids.

You’ll get fresh air.

And the youngest kids can run around and play while your older children are finishing their artwork.

It’s also a great way to combine art and nature study.

7. enjoy Art During Read Alouds

I’ve found that having the kids do art while I’m reading aloud helps to keep the kids quiet and busy. They’re busy drawing, painting, and gluing. And they’re not chatting.

And you don’t have to sit at the table near the mess as you read.

You can sit on a chair a few feet away and still be heard.

So don’t be afraid to pull out the art supplies as you pull out your read aloud.

The kids will enjoy creating masterpieces as you read.

8. Use How to Draw Books

Use how to draw books to teach kids art. How to Draw books help to teach kids how to see the shapes inside different objects. This lets your children learn how to draw tigers, people, and planes.

How to draw books are also great books to keep around the house for a rainy day.

Just pull out the how-to-draw books, pencils, and paper and let the kids go.

They’ll be happily occupied for quite some time.

Young kids love to draw, and it’s even more fun when they know how to draw their favorite things.

9. Be Patient

Kids progress in spits and spurts. And sometimes they get stuck in one type of drawing for a long period of time.

And don’t worry if your 8 year doesn’t sit still for hours painting. Attention spans increase with age.

When my family does art, my 7 yo draws for about 10 minutes before running off to play. My 8 yo draws for about 20 minutes before she’s finished. However, my teenagers will work on a single piece of art for hours at a time.

Remember your children will eventually progress beyond battle scenes or flowers. And their attention spans will increase.

Give your children time to mature and grow.

10. Online Art Classes

Use Online art classes to teach your kids art!

I love, love, love classes such as The Masterpiece Society! You can introduce your kids to drawing techniques, watercolors, acrylics, and pastels using these classes.

Your K-2nd graders will love the How to Draw classes which teach how to draw their favorite objects. They’ll beg for more!

And your older kids won’t be able to get enough of the art techniques courses!

So check out The Masterpiece Society. It has classes your kids will love!

Just take a look! The Masterpiece Society Offers

Coloring pages for preschoolers
Drawing classes for K-2
Mixed media workshops
Art technique classes for older kids and parents

And don’t forget to sign up for this free art class on how to paint an impressionist bluebird!

Teaching kids art should be fun, not hard. So use these 10 tips to turn your art studies around.

And soon you’ll find your kids drawing, painting, and creating art in their free time!