Create your own version of Paul Klee’s famous Cat and Bird painting with this colorful collage art activity! Kids use simple paper shapes to recreate one of Klee’s best-known artworks while exploring the element of shape, one of the 7 Elements of Art. This easy famous artist project is perfect for elementary art lessons, homeschool, or creative afternoons at home.
Free Download: Grab the printable Cat and Bird template below to get started.
👉 Before you begin, explore the 7 Elements of Art if you are not familiar with them!
Paul Klee for Kids
This Paul Klee art project introduces students to one of the world’s most imaginative artists while showing how simple shapes can be transformed into expressive works of art.
- Grades: K–2, 3–5
- Art Focus: Collage | Famous Artists | Shape | Mixed Media
What Kids Learn
- Learn about artist Paul Klee.
- Explore the element of shape.
- Identify geometric and organic shapes in artwork.
- Practice observation skills by studying a famous painting.
- Strengthen fine motor skills through cutting and gluing.
- Express creativity through color, pattern, and design.
Supplies
- Cat and Bird printable template
- Colored construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Black marker
- Background paper
How to Make a Paul Klee Cat and Bird
STEP 1: Print the Cat and Bird shapes template.
STEP 2: Cut each shape from different colors of construction paper.
STEP 3: Arrange the shapes like a puzzle to create the cat’s face. Place the small bird above the eyes just like Paul Klee’s original painting.
STEP 4: Glue the shapes onto your background paper.
STEP 5: Use a black marker to outline shapes or add your own creative details.
About Paul Klee
Paul Klee was a Swiss-German artist known for his colorful, imaginative paintings. Instead of creating realistic artwork, he used simple shapes, bold lines, and expressive colors to tell stories and share ideas.
One of his most famous paintings, Cat and Bird (1928), features a cat with a small bird resting on its forehead. The bird represents the cat’s thoughts, making this playful painting a wonderful example of imagination in art.
👉 Take a look at Paul Klee’s original Cat and Bird painting before you begin. What shapes, colors, and details do you notice?
Explore the Element of Shape
Shape is one of the 7 Elements of Art. Shapes are flat, two-dimensional areas that artists use to create pictures, patterns, and designs.
There are two main types of shapes:
- Geometric shapes have regular edges, such as circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles.
- Organic shapes have free-form outlines found in nature, such as leaves, animals, clouds, or people.
Paul Klee combined both types of shapes to create expressive artwork that feels playful and imaginative. In Cat and Bird, simple shapes work together to form a recognizable face while bright colors and bold outlines give the artwork personality.
As students complete their collage, encourage them to identify the different shapes they used and think about how those shapes combine to create the finished image.
👉 Want to learn about the other building blocks artists use? Visit our complete guide to the 7 Elements of Art.
Talk About the Artwork
Before students begin creating, spend a few minutes observing Paul Klee’s painting together.
Ask questions like:
- What shapes do you notice first?
- Which colors stand out the most?
- Why do you think the bird is sitting on the cat’s forehead?
- How does the cat’s expression make you feel?
- If you could change one part of the artwork, what would it be?
These simple discussion prompts encourage careful observation and help children think like artists.
Download Your Free Paul Klee Cat and Bird Template
Ready to create your own colorful collage?
Download the free printable template and recreate Paul Klee’s Cat and Bird while exploring shape, color, and creativity through hands-on art.
More Art Activities for Kids
Keep the creativity going with these popular resources:
- 7 Elements of Art
- Famous Artists for Kids
- Printable Art Projects
- Paul Klee Directed Drawing
- Kandinsky Circles
- Piet Mondrian Art
- Henri Matisse Cut-Outs
- Romero Britto Art
- Picasso Faces
Explore More Famous Artists
If your students enjoyed learning about Paul Klee, continue exploring famous artists through hands-on art projects.
Our Famous Artists Bundle includes artist biographies, observation prompts, discussion questions, vocabulary, printable activities, and creative projects featuring more than 25 artists. It’s an easy way to introduce art history while encouraging creativity and building confidence in young artists.
Looking for more ways to explore ART?
Explore our Art Project Bundle; it’s filled with hands-on art activities inspired by well-known artists. Plus, you’ll find extras for collage, mixed media, printmaking, watercolor, and the 7 Elements!
