Painting with watercolors doesn’t need to be overly difficult or messy for kids! Find out how to set up children’s watercolor art projects with the best tips, a list of favorite watercolor supplies, and fun watercolor art ideas and techniques to try. Plus, easy watercolor painting ideas that kids will love!
Techniques for Simple Watercolor Ideas
These cool watercolor ideas are a fun and versatile activity for kids. Here are some fun and simple techniques to try:
💡Scroll down to see watercolor art projects and grab free templates!
Salt and Watercolor:
- Paint a section of paper with watercolors.
- While the paint is still wet, sprinkle salt over it.
- Watch as the salt absorbs the paint and creates unique, starry textures.
Plastic Wrap on Watercolor:
- Apply watercolor paint generously on paper.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap over the wet paint, pressing it down to create wrinkles.
- Let it dry completely, then remove the plastic wrap to reveal interesting patterns.
Crayon Resist:
- Draw a picture or design with white crayon or any wax crayon on watercolor paper.
- Paint over the entire paper with watercolors.
- The crayon will resist the paint, revealing the drawing underneath.
Wet-on-Wet:
- Wet the paper with a brush before applying watercolor paint.
- Add different colors and watch them blend and spread for a soft, dreamy effect.
Blowing Paint with a Straw:
- Put a few drops of liquid watercolor paint on the paper.
- Use a straw to blow the paint in different directions, creating fun, abstract designs.
Tape Resist:
- Place strips of painter’s tape in a pattern on watercolor paper.
- Paint over the entire paper with watercolors.
- Once the paint is dry, remove the tape to reveal clean, white lines.
Bubble Wrap Prints:
- Paint bubble wrap with watercolors.
- Press the painted side onto paper to create interesting dot patterns.
Sponge Painting:
- Dip a sponge into watercolor paint.
- Dab the sponge onto paper to create textured, impressionistic effects.
Leaf Prints:
- Paint the surface of a leaf with watercolors.
- Press the painted side onto paper to create beautiful, natural prints.
Blotting with Paper Towels:
- Paint a section of paper with watercolors.
- While the paint is still wet, press a crumpled paper towel onto the paper and lift it off to create a textured effect.
Get Your Free Printable Watercolor Projects Guide!
This free watercolor art guide contains clickable links to various projects and is a great reminder to try different techniques. Make sure to download it to a computer to access the links! For a complete pack of instructions and techniques, visit our shop [here].
How To Make Watercolor Paint
If you love making homemade paints, then you’ll want to try this easy DIY watercolor paint recipe!
💡 HINT: While you can start off with inexpensive watercolor paints for younger kids, if possible, try to purchase better quality, especially for elementary and middle school-age kids. Often a better watercolor set will yield better results and be more encouraging!
List Of Favorite Watercolor Supplies
Here’s a quick list of a few of my favorite watercolor supplies. For all my favorite art supplies, check out my DIY art cart! However, these items are on my cart right now!
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- Watercolor Paper (120lb + paperweight is the best)
- Watercolor paints (pan or liquid form)
- Watercolor Brushes
- Watercolor Pencils (these are so much fun!)
- Watercolor Markers
- Masking Tape
💡 Tip: Cut larger sheets into smaller pieces! Often, a large sheet of blank space can be daunting, whereas a 4″x5″ piece (or smaller) is inspiring!
Easy Watercolor Painting Ideas For Kids
Ready to try out a few watercolor art projects? Here are some fantastic ideas to get you started. Use them step by step or as a springboard for creativity. You can even add additional materials to create mixed media, such as:
- Rubber stamps
- Magazine/newsprint images
- Microliner pens for mark-making and outlining
- Bits of fabric, buttons, or beads for texture
💡 Simple Watercolor Art Idea: Practice freehand shapes like circles. Make circles of different sizes that overlap each other. Pick just a few colors to mix. The wet parts that overlap will mix. Play around with different amounts of water on the brush or the paper.
Watercolor Heart Art
Try a fun technique using plastic wrap to add texture to the painted surface. Try watercolor hearts or just a blank piece of paper. Experiment with materials other than plastic wrap, too!
Black Glue Apple Art
Paint apples with watercolors and highlight them with easy to make black glue for a fun way to jump into art this fall. You could also try this with pumpkins, the Earth and leaves. Free printable templates included.
Colorful Hilma Af Klint Collage
Try something a little different by creating abstract art inspired by famous artist, Hilma Af Klint. Grab the printable coloring page, and watercolors to create a painting with colorful abstract shapes.
Colorful Landscape
Create a fun and colorful landscape painting inspired by Australian artist, Bronwyn Bancroft. Paint the background of the printable landscape in watercolors, and then experiment with a layer of dot painting for a cool effect.
Galaxy Painting
This galaxy watercolor painting is a great way to explore mixed media art with kiddos of all ages. All you need is some watercolors, salt and a sheet of art paper to make the colors of the universe.
Jellyfish Art
A fun way to learn about jellyfish, and create a colorful watercolor painting in the process.
Kandinsky Halloween Art
Combine circular rings of watercolor and the form of a tree to create this fun and spooky Halloween art inspired by the famous artist, Wassily Kandinsky.
Leaf Painting
Grab a handful of leaves to create nature inspired art. Similar to leaf rubbing, make watercolor resist art for kids with crayons and watercolors.
Monet’s Bridge Painting
Explore impressionist art with a few simple supplies, with a Monet Bridge Over A Pond inspired art project for kids!
Ocean Painting
This fabulous ocean watercolor painting is easy to make with just a few simple materials. Use watercolors to create an ocean background, and add in one or more of our printable sea creatures.
Reverse Coloring
Experiment with watercolors with this fun and easy process art project! Paint any design you like using watercolor paints, and then add in the details with markers.
Silhouette Art
Paint a fun watercolor background and use the printable templates to create this silhouette art.
Sunflower Art
Get the free printable sunflowers template, and use watercolor paints to create your own masterpiece inspired by famous artist, Vincent Van Gogh.
Vase of Flowers Painting
This watercolor art project uses cupcake liners as flowers. Paint the background with watercolors of your choice and you have a fun boutique of flowers.
Water Drop Painting
Try this simple to set up water droplet painting activity for kids. Any theme, any season, all you need is a little imagination, water, and paint. Even if your kiddos aren’t the crafty type, every kid loves to paint with water drops.
Helpful Art Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources to help you introduce art more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
- Free Color Mixing Mini Pack
- Getting Started with Process Art
- Preschool Art Projects
- How To Set Up An Art Cart
- Easy Painting Ideas For Kids
- Fun Pop Art Ideas
- Free Art Challenges
- What Are The 7 Elements Of Art?
- What is STEAM?
- STEAM Activities (Science + Art)
Printable Art Techniques Projects Pack
This fantastic art projects pack includes a variety of art technique packs to cover different areas of the art experience! Perfect for ages 5-12, with various activities to suit all age levels. Easy to use in the home or classroom. Techniques include collage, mixed media, and watercolors!
