Painting with some paint brushes, a canvas, or a piece of paper is a good way to spark some creativity among kids, but it might get boring in the long run. Fortunately, there are lots of preschool winter crafts and easy painting ideas that kids can do without using traditional painting tools. In fact, here are 61 of these for you!
Stamps, Stencils, and Patterns
1. Bundled Q-Tips
Bundling together Q-tips can lead to so much fun if you use them for painting. The Pinterested Parent teaches kids how to make their very own autumn tree using a bunch of Q-tips and some acrylic paint. The best part is even younger children will find this easy and enjoyable!
2. Handprints
Finger painting is one of the easiest art projects that kids can do. Kids Craft Room takes this to the next level with its rainbow handprints for kids!
3. Cotton Balls
Like Q-tips, cotton balls are an amazing art medium that you can find anywhere in the house. With some cotton balls and your own paint, kids can make this orange cotton ball tree painting from Projects with Kids.
4. Cork Stamps
If you have some wine corks lying around, don’t throw them out! Instead, you and your kids can make this beautiful flower using painted cork stamps — another great idea from Projects with Kids.
5. Cookie Cutter Stamping
Cookie cutters aren’t just for baking — they’re also an amazing art medium! With some colorful washable paint, DIY Unlimited Fun provides one of the easiest painting projects for kids using these baking tools.
6. Soda Bottle Stamps
This art activity from Happiness is Homemade recycles empty soda bottles to make colorful flower stamps that will keep kids preoccupied for the rest of the afternoon.
7. Sponge
There are so many creative ideas you can make with just a household sponge! PickleBums has an easy tutorial for sponge stamping that kids of all ages can do. Aside from just using primary colors, kids can even use white paint to give their art piece a bit of gradient. If you’re feeling a little more creative, you can cut the sponge into different shapes for a variety of patterns.
8. Fork Stamping
Similar to finger paints, fork stamping is one of the easiest art activities for kids. By using a fork and some bright yellow paint, kids can make this fluffy Easter chick from Mas and Pas! You can even add googly eyes and some orange felt paper for its beak.
9. Bubble Wrap Prints
Doing a lot of online shopping will probably get you tons of leftover bubble wrap. Instead of tossing them out, bring out some tempera paint, so your kids can use your bubble wrap to make rainbow painting art prints, like this one from First Palette.
10. Toy Trucks
If your kids are bored playing with their toy trucks, a nice twist would be to use their wheels as a way to paint! Here’s how to do it from Learn Play Imagine. You can even make the trucks do a race while painting!
11. Toy Animal Prints
An alternative to using toy trucks for painting is using animal prints! While teaching your kids about different animals, you can ask them to dip their animal toys in paint to make tons of fun footprints. Rainy Day Mum suggests using white paint on black paper for something more unconventional.
12. Autumn Leaf Prints
Using autumn leaves to make prints is a fun way to teach your kids how to mix up colors while using natural stencils. Arty Crafty Kids adds in some other learning activities that you can combine with making autumn leaf prints.
13. Canvas Masking Tape
Masking tape on canvas can lead to some interesting painting patterns. The Joy of Sharing has a quick tutorial for doing abstract art with canvas and masking tape, but you can always let your kids create other patterns like houses or flowers.
14. Toilet Roll Fireworks
This painting technique from Learning 4 Kids is an explosion of fun that promotes fine motor skills while recycling household items such as a toilet roll.
Sprays, Splatters, and Abstract Painting
15. Squirt Gun
Among the fun ideas you and your kids can try is painting with a squirt gun or a water pistol. Here’s one from Messy Little Monster!
16. Balloon Darts
If your kid is having a birthday party, what better way to make use of balloons than to make art? Hello Wonderful has a DIY tutorial that can double as a party game.
17. Spray Bottle Galaxy
Galaxy painting can be tons of fun when using spray bottles! The Soccer Mom Blog adds a handprint to this safe and easy painting activity.
18. Toothbrush Splatter
If you want a more manual touch to spray painting, letting your kids use a toothbrush can do just the trick. Here’s one with an adorable bunny stencil from Read and Create.
19. Straw Blow Painting
Cheap, quick, and fun, straw blow painting is a great way to spend a creative afternoon with your kids. The Artful Parent has a how-to video for this activity. Aside from using different colors, your kids can also use straws of all sizes for more varied patterns.
20. Paint Pouring
Sloppy but tons of fun, this paint pouring activity from HGTV is a fun, easy peasy way of introducing young kids to different colors and abstract patterns!
21. Paper Marbling
Kids of all ages will definitely enjoy this paper marbling technique from Hello Wonderful. The best thing about it is that they can use as many oil-based paints as they want!
22. Pulled String Art
Who knew a piece of string and some paint can lead to so many unique patterns? Tinkerlab can show you how to make beautiful pulled string art with just a few loops and squiggles!
23. Eye Dropper Painting
Get even your toddlers to learn about color mixing with this eye dropper painting activity from Laughing Kids Learn. Just be sure to have enough paper towels, so they don’t run out of a canvas!
24. Spin Art with a Plate
If you have some paper plates lying around after a party, then it’s time to do some spin art! Even preschoolers will love spinning paper plates around and watching the paint scatter into colorful splatters. Check out this easy tutorial from Happy Hooligans!
25. Pom Pom Painting
What happens if you combine tiny pom poms with some paint and clothespins? A fun art project, of course! This one from Glued to My Crafts uses a hot air balloon template that your kids can paint using their homemade pom pom brushes.
26. Nature Painting
Going nature painting is one of the fun ways you can get young children to explore and try out nature’s paintbrushes. Glitter on a Dime has some fun painting ideas while using acorns, figs, leaves, and a whole lot more.
Objects Kids Can Paint
27. Flower Pots
Want to spruce up your garden? DIY Candy shows just how you and your kids can liven up plain, old dollar-store flower pots with rainbow painting!
28. Stained Glass Windows
When your kids are stuck at home, it’s the perfect time to let them try out stained glass painting. Not only does it let them add some pizzazz to their room, but it also keeps them busy indoors! Crafty Morning has a nifty design your kids can follow.
29. Painted Eggs
Painting Easter eggs is a fun activity that you and your kids can do anytime of the year. Art for Kids Hub makes this more enjoyable by using melted crayons instead of the usual acrylic paint.
30. Sidewalk Painting
If you live in a neighborhood with some free sidewalk space, you and your kids can turn that into your canvas with this DIY sidewalk chalk paint from Living Well Mom.
31. Seashells
Missing the beach? Grab those seashells you have from your last visit, so you and the kiddos can turn them into painted tropical fish, like this one from Crafts by Amanda.
32. Shirts
Are your kids tired of having plain shirts? The Artful Parent has a few ideas on how to make fabric painting fun for your little ones!
33. Coasters
Make mealtimes more appetizing by letting your kids paint your coasters! Cut Out and Keep shows you how you can make wooden watermelon coasters, but you can also use cork coasters if you don’t have wood slices.
34. Mason Jars
Mason jars can work as classy but creative organizers for your belongings. This mason jar rainbow fruit art from Color Made Happy is something that your kids can do if they want a cute container for their art supplies.
35. Mugs
Mugs usually have printed-on designs, but there’s a way to paint them at home. Mom Advice lists down what you need and how you could do this in your own living room.
36. Pumpkins
Pumpkin carving can be pretty tough, but there’s another way you and your kids can decorate these round, orange gourds: by painting them! Art Bar teaches some prep tips you can do before you let your kids loose with the paint.
Garden Rock Paintings
37. Watermelon
Going on a nature trail with the kiddos? These cute watermelon garden rocks from Little Bins for Little Hands are just the thing you need!
38. Ladybug
These ladybug rocks from Easy Peasy and Fun are super cute and super easy to do!
39. Cactus
Cacti are low-maintenance plants, but if you’re wary about your kids getting pricked, letting them paint these adorable cactus rocks from Balcony Decoration can be a creative alternative instead.
40. Penguins
Penguins come in all shapes and sizes — and so do your garden rocks! Get creative with your kids by painting these penguin rocks from Mom Foodie.
41. Owls
Speaking of birds, these owl rocks from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls can help your kids enjoy learning about these cute, nocturnal creatures.
42. Flowers
Painted flower rocks lets your kids experiment with bright colors and a variety of designs! Here’s a good tutorial from The Decorated Cookie.
43. Emojis
Emojis aren’t just cute icons — they can be useful in teaching your kids about different expressions. Childhood 101 combines this with rock painting!
44. Fish
If you’re thinking of getting your kid a pet fish in the future, you can start them out with these painted fish rocks from Hello Wonderful.
45. Ice Cream
Kids craving for some ice cream? These painted ice cream rocks from Projects with Kids can keep them preoccupied while you scoop up the sweet treat.
46. Tic Tac Toe Tiles
Introduce your kids to some no-screen playtime with these Tic Tac Toe painted rocks from Where the Smiles Have Been. You can even place these rocks in a pouch, which they can carry anywhere.
47. Bees
These bright and beautiful painted bee rocks from Living Life as Moms can keep your kids’ afternoon buzzing with enjoyment!
48. Easter Chicks
Kids don’t have to wait for Easter just so they can paint these pastel-colored chicks from Rock Painting Guide.
49. Dominos
Quick and simple, these painted rock dominos from Fun Family Crafts won’t just spark creativity — you can let your kids play dominos right after!
50. Strawberries
Strawberries might not be in season all year round, but your kids can have these juicy, sweet fruits as decor anytime when they make these painted strawberry rocks from Crafts by Amanda.
51. Turtle Shell
Turtle shells have such unique and interesting patterns, so your kids will definitely enjoy making these painted rock turtles from Easy Peasy and Fun!
More Painting Techniques
52. Salt Painting
Preparing for the holidays? Let your kids get crafty with these salt painted snowflakes from The Best Ideas for Kids.
53. Ice Paint
When you’re fresh out of paintbrushes, ice painting has got you covered! Powerful Mothering teaches you how to do it with toddlers and preschoolers.
54. Scratch Painting
Scratch art pads are a dime a dozen on online art shops, but you and your kids can actually make your own. Here’s a great DIY version from Craft Project Ideas.
55. Abstract Watercolor
No watercolors? No problem. Here’s a painting technique from The Kitchen Table Classroom that’s got you covered.
56. Bath Paints
Make even your kids’ bath time a venue for creativity with these homemade bath paints from Messy Little Monster.
57. Cling Film
For no-mess sensory play, this cling film squish art from My Kid Craft won’t take the fun out of mixing paint!
58. Tin Foil
If you’re looking for an alternative to a typical canvas, here’s some shining, shimmering, splendid tin foil art from Paging Fun Mums.
59. Glue Resist
Glue isn’t just for sticking things together — it’s also an exciting tool to use when making art! This glue-resist batik from Capturing Parenthood can let your kids experiment with all kinds of shapes, patterns, and colors.
60. Shaving Foam Painting
Messy but tons of fun, this shaving foam painting activity from Learning and Exploring Through Play is a great way to introduce sensory play while encouraging your kids’ creative side.
61. Magnet Painting
Mix up art and science with this wonderful magnet painting art activity from Left Brain Craft Brain.
Get Creative Today!
Try out any or all of these painting ideas for some colorful, creative fun with your little ones!