Easy Painting Activities for Kids!

These painting activities for kids will mean you never run out of fun and easy ways for your kids to make art!

With 18 process art ideas, there is a children’s painting idea to suit all ages, from toddlers to teens! From simple, low mess painting ideas, to interesting experiments with paint, there is a painting idea on this list for everyone!

easy painting ideas for kids - collage of images

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What do kids learn from painting?

If you are wondering if it is really worth the hassle and mess of getting out the paints, here are a few things that kids learn from painting.

  • Painting helps develop eye-hand co-ordination.
  • Painting is a great way to develop fine motor skills and practice pre-writing skills.
  • Painting uses both the left and right sides of the brain. Being able to use and integrate both sides of the brain is important for complex thinking and problem solving skills.
  • Painting lets kids practice creative thinking, decision making and problem solving in a non-threatening environment.
  • Painting provides lots of opportunities to learn about colours, shapes.
  • Painting allows kids to express their ideas and creativity.
  • Painting can be calming, and a way to work through stressful situations.
  • Painting can be a social activity or done on your own, depending on your mood and needs.

The Best Painting Supplies for Kids.

To get started with painting with kids you really only need paint and paper, but here a few of our favourite painting supplies for kids.

Of course many of the best ideas for painting are when you use unusual painting supplies! There are so many fun painting activities that don’t use paint brushes, or paper! You might want to collect some household items like newspaper, q-tips, and bubble wrap. You can even turn old markers into liquid watercolor paints!

Painting Activities for Kids.

This collection of painting ideas for kids includes lots of easy ways to use paint with your kids at home, or in the classroom. There are lots of different painting techniques to try, some interesting ways to use paint, and many process art ideas that kids of all ages will love!

Click on the link below each image for full instructions for each painting activity.

child with aluminium foil painting

Foil Painting

Try painting on foil for a shiny, shimmery alternative to painting in paper!

Squish Painting! An easy art activity that never gets old!

Squish Painting

Drop paint on one side, then fold the paper in half to make a squish painting!

child's hand painting with cotton bud

Q-Tip Painting

Use q-tips for a fun, low-mess alternative to paint brushes!

crayon resist are - a magical and easy art activity

Crayon Resist Painting

This simple painting activity is super cool, and almost magical!

brightly colored paint on the paper - text -= blow painting, easy art for kids

Blow Painting

Grab some straws and try this fun painting activity!

bubble painting

Bubble Painting

Use a straw to blow paint bubbles and make fun bubbly prints onto paper!

balloon painting

Balloon Painting

Use a bouncing balloon instead of a brush for this hands on painting activity!

Shaker Painting - an easy, low mess, art activity

Shaker Painting

This is a great toddler painting activity that bigger kids will love too.

mesh dabber painting - a simple art activity.

Mesh Dabber Painting

This is a great painting activity for little hands to try.

Absorption painting - a super easy process art activity for kids

Absorption Painting

This process art painting activity combines art and science.

Fun accessories to add to finger painting - plus three easy finger paint recipes.

Finger Painting

Kids of all ages will love this sensory painting activity.

roll on paints

Roll-on Painting

Recycle old roll-on deodorant bottles to use with paint!

Water Colours on Wet Paper - this is true process art for kids, it is all about exploring and experimenting!

Wet on Wet Painting

Kids will love the mesmerising affect of this process art watercolour painting!

Painting on Ice - a fun way to stay cool!

Painting on Ice

Painting on paper is boring, try painting on ice for a fun sensory art activity.

BIG Bubble Wrap Painting - go big for this awesome art activity

Bubble Wrap Painting

Paint on bubble wrap then print it onto to paper to make cool paintings.

crystallised painting on black paper

Crystal Painting

Combine art and science in this super cool STEAM painting activity.

Stencil Spray Art! We collected a bunch of crazy items to make art!

Stencil Spray Painting

This painting activity is a bit messy but oh so much fun!

water colours and cling wrap

Plastic Wrap Painting

This simple watercolour painting technique has really cool results!

Tried all these painting ideas? Or perhaps todays is not the day to get out the paints?
Find even more art activities for kids here!

Get play & learning ideas,
plus lots of free printables!

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