Looking for fun art camp ideas for kids? This DIY Art Summer Camp combines famous artists, hands-on art projects, process art activities, creative games, and simple supplies into an easy-to-follow 5-day plan.
Whether you’re planning a summer camp at home, a homeschool art unit, an art club, a library program, or classroom enrichment, this flexible camp makes it easy to introduce kids to art while encouraging creativity, exploration, and self-expression.
Complete the entire 5-day experience or simply choose your favorite artists and projects.
Want the complete camp plan?
This DIY Art Summer Camp includes 5 themed camp days inspired by famous artists, process art activities, creative challenges, sketchbook prompts, and more.
Why Try an Art Summer Camp?
Art camp is more than just painting and crafts. It gives kids an opportunity to explore new ideas, experiment with materials, and learn about artists from around the world.
Kids participating in art camp can:
- Learn about famous artists and art movements.
- Experiment with painting, collage, drawing, printmaking, and mixed media.
- Develop fine motor skills through cutting, painting, and creating.
- Practice problem-solving and creative thinking.
- Build confidence through artistic self-expression.
- Explore color, line, shape, texture, and pattern.
- Create a collection of artwork to display and celebrate.
The goal isn’t perfect art. The goal is exploration, creativity, experimentation, and fun.
| Day | Theme | Artists |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Pop Art Party | Warhol + Lichtenstein |
| Day 2 | Abstract Magic | Kandinsky + Mondrian |
| Day 3 | Action Art | Pollock + Haring |
| Day 4 | Nature Art | Van Gogh + Hokusai |
| Day 5 | Creative Worlds | Kusama + Murakami + Klee + Escher |
How To Set Up An Art Camp At Home
A successful art camp doesn’t need to be complicated.
Create A Creative Space
Choose a table, countertop, outdoor area, or dedicated art space where kids can spread out and create. Cover surfaces if needed and create a special place to display artwork throughout the week.
Gather Supplies Ahead Of Time
Keep supplies accessible. Store materials in trays, baskets, or containers so children can easily access what they need. Having supplies visible encourages independent creativity and makes transitions between activities easier.
Most activities use common art materials such as:
- Paper and cardstock
- Markers and crayons
- Paint and paintbrushes
- Scissors and glue
- Recycled materials
- Nature items for texture and collage
👉 Learn how to set up an Art Cart here
👉 Learn how to make homemade paints for kids here
Create An Art Gallery
One of the most exciting parts of art camp is celebrating finished artwork. Dedicate a bulletin board, hallway wall, clothesline display, or tabletop gallery where kids can showcase their creations throughout the week.
💡 Pick up secondhand wooden frames and spray them gold!
Our 5-Day DIY Summer Art Camp Schedule
This year’s art camp is organized into five themed days inspired by famous artists and art movements. Each day includes hands-on projects, process art, creative challenges, and opportunities to explore different artistic styles.
Day 1: Pop Art Party
Featured Artists: Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein
Create bold, colorful artwork inspired by everyday objects while experimenting with bright colors, graphic designs, comic-book styles, and pop art techniques.
Try These Pop Art Projects:
Day 2: Shapes, Music & Abstract Magic
Featured Artists: Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian
Explore shapes, lines, color, and movement through abstract art, collaborative projects, and music-inspired artwork.
Try These Abstract Art Projects:
- Kandinsky Circles
- Mondrian Art
- Music Painting
- Shape Collage Art
Day 3: Splatter, Drip & Action Art
Featured Artists: Jackson Pollock and Keith Haring
Move, create, and experiment with energetic process art including action painting, movement-based artwork, and large-scale creative projects.
Try These Action Art Projects:
Day 4: Nature Art Studio
Featured Artists: Vincent van Gogh and Hokusai
Discover color, texture, and movement in nature while creating landscapes, texture art, and nature-inspired masterpieces.
Try These Nature Art Projects:
Day 5: Happy Art & Creative Worlds
Featured Artists: Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Paul Klee, and M.C. Escher
Celebrate creativity through colorful patterns, playful modern art, imaginative worlds, and unique artistic designs.
Try These Creative Art Projects:
- Kusama Dot Art
- Murakami Flowers
- Paul Klee Castle Art
- Escher Eye Art
Bonus Art Camp Day: Color, Design & Imagination
* Includes a Bonus 6th Camp Day featuring Sonia Delaunay, Laurel Burch, Mary Blair, and Marta MinujÃn.
Featured Artists: Sonia Delaunay, Laurel Burch, Mary Blair, and Marta MinujÃn
Finish camp with a celebration of color, pattern, design, and imagination. Inspired by four creative women artists, kids will explore bold colors, playful designs, whimsical illustrations, and larger-than-life art ideas while creating artwork that is uniquely their own.
Try These Featured Projects:
- Sonia Delaunay Inspired Geometric Art
- Laurel Burch Cat Art
- Mary Blair Inspired Landscape Art
- Marta MinujÃn Installation Art Challenge
What To Expect Each Day
Every camp day includes:
✓ Featured artist introduction
✓ Main art project
✓ Process art invitation
✓ Creative game or challenge
✓ Optional themed snack
✓ Sketchbook prompt
The schedule is flexible. Complete one activity or enjoy the entire camp day experience.
Free Art Camp Planner
Want help organizing your camp week?
Grab the FREE Art Camp Planner that includes:
- 5-Day Camp Overview
- Supply Checklist
- Art Camp Planning Sheet
- Easy Camp Setup Guide
Use it to gather supplies, organize your schedule, and prepare for a creative week of art.
Art Camp Tips For Success
- Encourage Exploration: Every child connects with art differently. Allow kids to spend extra time with artists and projects that interest them most.
- Keep A Sketchbook: A simple sketchbook gives children a place to record ideas, practice techniques, and explore their creativity throughout the week.
- Display Artwork: Create an art gallery wall, bulletin board, or hallway display to celebrate finished projects and encourage artistic confidence.
- Remember, there Is No Perfect Art!
Art camp should be fun. Encourage experimentation, celebrate mistakes, and focus on the creative process rather than perfection.
Popular Art Camp Theme Ideas
Looking for even more art camp themes? Once kids discover how much fun it is to create, it’s easy to build additional camp weeks around a favorite artist, art style, or technique.
Famous Artists Camp
Explore artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Kahlo, Pollock, Warhol, Kusama, and Kandinsky while creating projects inspired by their work.
Process Art Camp
Focus on creativity and experimentation through splatter painting, printmaking, texture exploration, open-ended art invitations, and collaborative artwork.
Painting Camp
Try watercolor, acrylic, resist, salt, bubble, and mixed-media painting projects.
Mixed Media Camp
Combine paper, paint, recycled materials, collage elements, and found objects to create unique works of art.
Nature Art Camp
Use leaves, flowers, sticks, and natural textures to create artwork inspired by the outdoors.
STEAM Art Camp
Combine art with science, engineering, and creative problem-solving through hands-on STEAM projects.
If you’re planning multiple weeks of art activities, our Printable Art Bundle makes it easy to mix and match projects. The bundle includes famous artist studies, art techniques, process art activities, the 7 Elements of Art, watercolor projects, collage activities, printmaking ideas, and more—perfect for creating themed art camps year-round.
Why We Built This Art Camp Around Famous Artists
Instead of focusing on random projects, this camp introduces kids to a variety of artists, techniques, and creative approaches. Throughout the week, kids explore Pop Art, Abstract Art, Action Painting, Nature Art, and Modern Art while creating projects inspired by some of the world’s most recognizable artists.
By the end of camp, kids won’t just have a stack of art projects—they’ll have a deeper understanding of how artists use color, shape, line, texture, movement, and imagination to create their work.
Art Camp FAQ
What age is this art camp for? This art camp works best for ages 5–12. Many activities can be simplified for younger children or expanded for older students.
Can I use this art camp in a classroom? Yes. The activities work well for classrooms, homeschool groups, summer programs, libraries, camps, and art clubs.
Do I need special art supplies? No. Most projects use common materials such as paper, paint, markers, glue, scissors, recycled materials, and simple craft supplies.
What supplies do I need for art camp? Most art camps can be completed with paper, cardstock, markers, crayons, paint, paintbrushes, scissors, glue, and a few inexpensive extras such as stickers, tissue paper, recycled materials, and natural items collected outdoors.
How long does each art camp day take? A full camp day can take 1–3 hours, but you can also choose individual activities for shorter sessions.
Can I spread the camp over several weeks? Absolutely. The camp is designed to be flexible and can be completed over a few days, several weeks, or throughout the summer.
Which artists are included in the camp? The camp features Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, Jackson Pollock, Keith Haring, Vincent van Gogh, Hokusai, Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Paul Klee, and M.C. Escher.
What is process art? Process art focuses on creativity, exploration, and experimentation rather than creating a specific finished product. The emphasis is on the experience of making art.
Printable DIY Summer Art Camp
Ready for a complete done-for-you art camp experience?
This printable 5-Day Summer Art Camp includes:
- Artist information pages
- Step-by-step projects
- Process art invitations
- Creative games and challenges
- Sketchbook prompts
- Art-themed snack ideas
- Gallery celebration activities
- Printable planning resources
- Homemade Paint Recipes (simple supplies)
Perfect for summer learning, homeschool programs, classrooms, camps, libraries, and creative family fun.
👉 5 DAY ART CAMP PLAN
