16+ Inspiring 3rd Grade Art Projects Kids Love

Third-grade art class can be so much fun! The students are still super creative, but are able to handle more complex projects. These 16+ 3rd-grade art projects are some of my favorite ideas to keep kids engaged and excited to create.

collage of 3rd grade art projects for kids.

Whether you are looking for longer art projects or one-day lessons, this list of art lessons for 3rd graders has you covered. By third grade, kids become more confident and independent thinkers, making the results always so cool to see.

Art is for everyone.
Keith Haring

MORE IDEAS -Before you check out these art ideas, you may also want to check out our list of some of our favorite Kindergarten art projects, 1st grade art projects, and 2nd grade art lesson ideas.

16+ 3rd Grade Art Lessons

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Fun Process Shaving Cream Art For Kids

This is a great beginning of the year art idea if you want to get them hooked right away. Use one of their prints for the cover of a sketchbook that they can use during the whole 3rd-grade year.

Cool Shaving Cream Art Tutorial

collage of black and white op art being drawn with ruler and marker.

Simple Op Art Drawing Project

3rd graders love discussing the Op Art movement and creating different optical art drawings. Third-grade artists can use our easy guide to create different black and white art. The best part is that this art lesson only uses drawing materials!

Easy Op Art Lesson For Kids

zoomed in abstract chalk drawing on black paper.

Abstract Chalk Drawing For Kids

By the time kids are in 3rd grade, they can easily draw an image with glue. Let it dry and then experiment with chalk pastels. You can make this project more advanced by introducing highlights and shadows.

Creative Abstract Chalk Pastel Drawing

hand sculpting simple person sculpture from aluminum foil.

Giacometti Inspired People Sculptures

Use our easy sculpture tutorial to learn how to create people using tin foil. While this project can work with younger artists, 3rd graders definitely add more details and dynamic poses.

Tin Foil Sculptures For Kids

painting with white figure with color lines and background.

Keith Haring For Kids

As with Op Art, 3rd graders love looking at Keith Haring's figures and artwork. I love reading this book to seeing them smile, laugh and discuss art before starting our own famous artist-inspired project.

Keith Haring For Kids

colorful abstract portrait art project on tin foil.

Super Unique Picasso Inspired Abstract Portraits

I love how colored Sharpies glisten on aluminum foil. Grade 3 students will love creating silly portraits that shine!

Picasso Portraits For Kids

collage of in-progress abstract portrait drawing steps.

How To Draw Like Picasso

Before you can complete the project above, third graders need to feel confident in the portraits they are creating. Practice drawing cubist-style portraits for a quick and easy art lesson.

4 Easy Step-by-Step Picasso Portrait Drawing Ideas

colored pencil and black marker heart drawing on white paper.

Easy Heart Zentangle Doodle

This is a great February art project for 3rd grade that isn't really too Valentine's Day themed. And because this art lesson only uses drawing materials, it is a great one to save for that sub folder!

Heart Doodle Lesson

4 different birch tree landscape painting on shiplap.

Birch Tree Winter Wonderland Paintings

While this painting may seem too difficult for the average 3rd grader, it is not. I have broken down the steps and each child can create a landscape they are proud of. This is a great lesson for teaching foreground, middle ground and background.

neon oil pastels on landscape art project for kids.

Glow-The-Dark Landscapes

There is nothing cooler than creating art under blacklights. These folk art inspired landscapes are an awesome 3rd-grade art lesson. Trust me, buy the black lights and neon oil pastels.

Creative 3rd Grade Landscape Art Lesson

colorful leaf art with real leaves next to it.

The Coolest Fall Printmaking Idea

Did you know you can get stunning results by using markers and leaves? Tie in color theory to avoid 3rd grade artists getting a brown mess in this fun Fall or Spring art lesson.

How To Print Leaves With Markers

Easy Fall Pumpkin Drawing

Okay, so I love the whole glue on black paper with chalk art process. I love it because the glue provides Elementary students with an outline that helps them when working with the pastels. Create a Fall scene today.

Pumpkin Chalk Art

wolf animal habitat diorama in a shoe box with fake trees and wolf figurine.

Tips For Making Animal Habitats

3rd-grade students can connect their art skills with other subjects to make a creative animal habitat. Use our tips to help create a unique shoebox project.

How To Make A Shoebox Animal Habitat

child's hand working on an air dry clay slab tile.

Easy Clay Tiles

Make relief clay tiles in one class. Young artists will love the freedom to create a design of their choice on clay!

Easy Relief Tile Art Lesson For Kids

hand holding food sculpture art project for kids donut on plate.

Thiebaud Inspired Food Sculptures For Kids

Skip the clay and use Model Magic for this fun 3rd grade art project idea. You will be surprised (and hungry) once you see what the kiddos can create.

Food Sculpture Art Lesson

colorful clay magnets on a silver fridge.

Cute Clay Magnets

This 3rd-grade art project is great because everyone can design and create their own small polymer clay art. Add a magnet and parents will love displaying these at home. If you plan on working with a lot of polymer clay, we recommend buying a cheap toaster oven that is only for artmaking.