These abstract art activities for kids are each so different and fun! There are acrylic lessons, chalk pastel video art lessons and even a craft to go with a favorite book.
Kids and Abstract Art
It can sometimes be confusing to find abstract art activities. What do you even start with? How do you explain it? But abstract art can easily be accessible because it is so imprecise. No lesson has to follow certain lines or rules. Artists can find freedom in abstract art!
Nana also says that a toddler makes the best abstract paintings, ha! I can image why!
Did you know that Sir Winston Churchill, the great British Prime Minister, started his artist career with a blue dot of paint on a canvas and was afraid to add more? He eventually overcame his fear and created over 550 paintings. My kids love that story and have told everyone in the family! So, overcome your own fear and make a messy abstract!
Abstract Art Activities For Kids
Here are some really fun abstract art options for you to enjoy!
Freedom Acrylic Art Lesson
Erin shares: This Freedom Abstract lesson is perfect for helping timid artists not be afraid to get paint all over their canvas. Nana always says that the only paint you should regret is the paint still on your palette!
But remember, to be a true abstract you’ve gotta throw a bit of black in there! Find even more acrylic art lessons in Easy Acrylic Painting for Kids: Everything You Need to Get Started.
Learn to Paint Like Picasso with Modern Art
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”Pablo Picasso
Nana brings Picasso’s art right into your home with her Famous Artists online art course! With a simple set of chalk pastels and a sheet of construction paper, Nana will show you and your children step-by-step how to create your own Picasso Bouquet of Peace AND Modern Art piece. These art projects are so easy and simply beautiful when done. Find out more about Nana’s Famous Artist Pablo Picasso Study!
Statue of Liberty Abstract Art Lesson
Nana showed us step-by-step how to create our own Steve Penley version of Lady Liberty. She was so colorful and vibrant! With her Famous Artist online art course, Nana brought the Statue of Liberty and Steve Penley right into our home.
Fish Eyes Banner: Abstract Craft Activity
Maureen shares, we were learning about fish and I remembered I had a book that I knew my three-year-old would love — Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert. I was right — it is currently his favorite book! The pictures in the book are so simple yet colorful. I thought it would be fun to create our own fish!
The beauty of the book, Fish Eyes, is that it introduces several concepts without children even knowing it! First of all it is a numbers and counting book geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. This book counts up to 10 where children can count the eyes on the fish which are hole-punched or they can count the fish. Older children will probably notice a small little black fish. This fish helps students count on– or add. Then the illustrations contain many shapes and vibrant colors which can lead to wonderful discussions too.
Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert – Craft Activity
Supplies:
- Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert
- colored paper
- scissors
- wiggly eyes (we used the colored eyes)
- glue
- circle punch
- twine
- chipboard or heavy cardstock
My four children, ages ranging from three to nine enjoyed this craft! I traced fish shapes onto various colors of cardstock. The children cut out the fish shape and then started cutting various shapes to glue on to their fish. (You might find that younger students will need you to cut the fish body out but they will be able to cut out various lines and shapes to add on to the fish.)
One thing I taught them was that it was ok for pieces to hang over the edge of the fish. After they were done, we would clip off any pieces. That allowed them to feel free to cover the fish with shapes from edge to edge.
While they worked, we looked at the pictures and talked about how certain color combinations seemed to pop off the page. We also saw how just using simple shapes can create interesting details on our fish.
Once all our fish creations were made, we glued them onto chipboard (heavy cardstock) and made a Fish Eyes banner so that we could display our fishy friends! We just put them in random order, but you could follow the pattern in the book and use it as a counting banner.
More Art Lessons For Learning And Fun
Besides these fun abstract art activities for kids, here are some more art lessons for the family to keep the joy and learning going!
A Mega List of Fun Family Activities: Art Lessons to Celebrate Each Season – At You ARE an ARTiST, we have designed our art lessons to be fun to use family style for all ages! These fun family activities have options for celebrating throughout the year.
The Best Art Lessons for Homeschool Families – Homeschool families come in all shapes, sizes and learning styles! These art lessons for homeschool families are a brilliant way to creatively bring learning to life, build memories together and have FUN learning. Let art add a layer of learning that brings joy to all ages.
The Ultimate Guide to Fun Art Projects for Your Homeschool – There are so many ways to integrate art into your homeschool! Use this guide to fun art projects to add a beautiful layer of learning and joy to your homeschool.
We are dedicated to providing parents with the support they need to make homeschooling a joyous adventure, where children can explore their imaginations, develop essential skills, and create lasting memories.
Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared the fun of her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Your Best Homeschool and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of sister sites Homeschool Nature Study and The Curriculum Choice.