Mixed Media Canvases with Kids

As you might know, I am a lover of all things mixed media!  I also enjoy occasionally teaching an after school art workshop for my students (I’d love to do more, but since my daughter goes to daycare it’s a bit tricky.)  I thought painted canvases would be a great gift for kids to give someone in their family, so I decided to do an after school art class which I taught today.  The kids in this class were in grades K-5, so I had quite a range of skill levels.  23 kids signed up!

I bought a bunch of canvases, scrapbook papers and paints on Black Friday (yep, I braved the craziest shopping day to pick up some cheap art supplies.)

Each kid chose a 12×12″ or 9″x12″ canvas and a selection of scrapbook papers.

Mixed media collage featuring the word "HOPE," colorful hearts, a butterfly, and various patterned shapes on a white background.

The kids cut out shapes and imagery from the patterned scrapbook paper.  These were decoupaged on to the canvas using Mod-Podge puzzle saver glue (the kind that you can paint on to a finished puzzle to save it.)  Paint underneath and on top of each shape.  Smooth any wrinkles out with your fingers.  When you are finished mod-podging, use a hair dryer to dry the glue.

The kids used acrylic craft paints to add paint and designs to their canvas.  Colored sharpie markers were also used for fine details.  It is very important to make sure the paint is dry (with a hair dryer) if you are going to use markers anywhere near the paint.  It will ruin the markers if the paint is wet.  Some students chose to write words on their picture.

A colorful, childlike drawing features a flower with patterned petals, a blue background with circles, and an orange border decorated with hearts and handwritten words like “LOVE MOM”—perfect inspiration for kids art or mixed media canvases.
Childlike painting of a smiling figure with a pink, square face and green body on a textured blue background—perfect inspiration for Kids Art or mixed media canvases.

A colorful mixed media artwork featuring a large clover, various doodles, and the words "Live, Love, Laugh!" at the bottom.

A white canvas features colorful cut-out shapes, including a heart, triangles, and abstract pieces—perfect for kids art—with the word "MEW" and various starburst designs scattered around.
Collage art with leaves, a bird, music notes, and the text "CHRISTMAS CHEER" in bold letters; a small deer stands at the bottom. Perfect for Kids Art or introducing Mixed Media Canvases to spark creativity.
A colorful mixed media canvas artwork with text reading "Girls are Awesome" and "Girls Equal Extreme," featuring hearts, patterns, and abstract shapes—perfect inspiration for kids art.
Abstract painting with irregular shapes in green, blue, purple, pink, and brown layered on a white background with textured patterns—perfect inspiration for kids art or creative mixed media canvases.

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