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Text "Art is Basic" in a purple watercolor style with paint splatters.

Art Projects for Kids + Tips for the Teacher!

  • Home
  • Free Art Sub Plans
  • Art Projects
    • Back to School
    • Great for Grades K-5
    • Kindergarten
    • First Grade
    • Second Grade
    • Third Grade
    • Fourth Grade
    • Fifth Grade
    • Clay
    • Collage
    • Drawing
    • Fibers
      • weaving
    • Painting
    • Printmaking
    • Sculpture
  • My Shop
  • About Art is Basic
  • Contact
Text "Art is Basic" in a purple watercolor style with paint splatters.

Art Projects for Kids + Tips for the Teacher!

Abstract painting with vibrant colors, bold black lines, and various shapes including circles, flowers, and organic forms.

Abstract Paintings Inspired by the Art of Shinique Smith

Have you heard of the artist Shinique Smith?  I just love her artwork!  It’s very gestural, colorful and it just…

  • September 12, 2015
  • 8 Comments
  • abstract, collaborative artwork, contemporary artists, fifth grade, fourth grade
Illustration of a tree figure and a green bear with a water gun, labeled "Hybrid Machine-Animal Drawings.

Hybrid Machine-Animal Drawings

After looking at the art of contemporary artist Nicolas Lampert, my students combined two or more different objects or creatures…

  • August 23, 2015
  • 2 Comments
  • abstract, collage, contemporary artists, drawing, fifth grade, sixth grade
Making talking sticks by painting and decorating branches.

Making Talking Sticks with Kids

Earlier this year, one of the second grade teachers approached me about an idea for an art/social studies collaboration.  She…

  • April 26, 2015
  • 5 Comments
  • abstract, sculpture, second grade
Learning about Louise Nevelson and making an assemblage with children

Making an Assemblage & Learning about Louise Nevelson

  I have seen variations of this project many times but have never tried it with my students.  I am…

  • April 17, 2015
  • 7 Comments
  • 1st grade, abstract, recycled art, sculpture
A whimsical landscape with swirling roads, trees, houses, a sun, and various colorful patterns.

Inspired by Artist Justin Vining: Abstract Whimsical Landscapes

This may have been my favorite unit we studied all year!  We looked at the whimsical landscapes of contemporary artist…

  • March 21, 2015
  • abstract, contemporary artists, drawing, fifth grade, fourth grade, mixed media, painting, watercolor
A vibrant watercolor painting with abstract shapes and colorful splashes in various hues like red, green, blue, and yellow, reminiscent of microscopic wonders.

Art Inspired by Microscopic Things (3rd grade)

My students are really interested in science and I always love when I can connect an art lesson to things…

  • March 8, 2015
  • 3 Comments
  • abstract, painting, science, third grade
Collage of four colorful abstract paper art pieces featuring various shapes, colors, and glued figures, evoking the playful patterns of Henri Matisse.

Learning about Patterns, Shapes and Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse is one of my favorite artists.  I love his bold colors and beautiful shapes.  While teaching about patterns,…

  • December 22, 2014
  • 3 Comments
  • 1st grade, abstract, art history, collage, kindergarten
A vibrant collage of five colorful mandalas with the text "Mandalas: 3rd and 4th Grade" in the center.

Mandalas | 3rd & 4th Grade

Materials you will need: Compass Pencil White paper Things to color with like markers, crayons, colored pencils Sharpies (optional) Crayola…

  • November 22, 2014
  • 13 Comments
  • abstract, drawing, fourth grade, third grade
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Display of end-of-year memory books and zine templates for students; features accordion books, illustrated art reflection pages titled "My School Year" and "My Year in Art," plus a beginner guide on how to make a zine.
Colorful paper 3D flower garden craft displayed upright, with assorted hand-crafted flowers and green stems, advertised as a fun, low-prep classroom project.
A promotional image for yearlong art choice boards, featuring sample boards for August, September, October, February, and December; includes text highlighting 12+ months of activities.

Free Sub Tub Guide

A colorful flyer titled "Ten Easy Art Activities for Subs" features images of art supplies, a worksheet about creating an “Art Sub Tub,” and highlights free art sub plans perfect for substitute teachers.

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Helpful Line Handout

A chart displays 14 types of lines, including straight, curvy, wavy, thick, thin, loopy, scalloped, dotted, dashed, bumpy, zig zag, castle, spiral, and scribbly.

Top Posts & Pages

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A checklist of art class supplies is displayed on a clipboard next to various colorful art materials like scissors, markers, and paper—perfect for any elementary art classroom.
Stack of children’s books focused on art projects, with text promoting over 150 book suggestions and a printable checklist, from the website www.artisbasic.com.
Art centers for early finishers display with colorful hexagonal pieces, origami books, and bricks in a basket.
A collection of colorful elementary art sub plans and project sheets arranged on a purple background with the text “Elementary Art Sub Plans—Easy & Mess-Free.”.
A collection of colorful elementary art sub plans and project sheets arranged on a purple background with the text “Elementary Art Sub Plans—Easy & Mess-Free.”.

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Collage of favorite art supplies featuring a watercolor set and markers, surrounded by colorful hearts and rainbows.
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