27+ Watercolor Painting Ideas For Kids That Are Simple and Easy

These easy watercolor painting ideas for kids will spark your child’s imagination and creativity. We love using watercolor paints with kids and exploring all the cool techniques. Find your next kid painting project below!

Why Kids Love Watercolor Paint

---

• KID-FRIENDLY – As far as painting goes, watercolor paints are less messy and easier to clean up than their thicker counterparts.
• VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES – From wet-on-wet to adding salt, there are many different ways to use watercolor paints.
• DIFFERENT TYPES AVAILABLE – You can use the classic watercolor pans, but don’t be afraid to explore liquid watercolors, tubes and more.
• RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE – Kids can reuse the same watercolor palette for years to come, compared to more expensive acrylic paints or tempera paint.

Watercolor Paints We Love

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links when clicked, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read our full privacy policy.

• LIQUID WATERCOLORS – If you are looking for vibrant colors, liquid watercolor is the way to go. We also love this set.
• WATERCOLOR PAINT PALETTE – Some scholar paint palettes have changed over the years, but we think this Prang set lasts year over year. Or try the more professional version for older kids.
• PAPER – For most elementary projects, you can get away with using heavier drawing. However, if it is in the budget, then getting a scholarly watercolor paper can really make your projects stand out.

27+ Fun Watercolor Painting Ideas

These step-by-step tutorials linked below will help children explore different watercolor techniques. These are some of our proven painting art lessons.

1

Fun Kandinsky Concentric Circles Art Lesson For Kids

Oil pastel resist is one of our favorite watercolor techniques for kids. This abstract painting idea is perfect for a preschool or kindergarten art class.

Kandinsky Inspired Art Project

2

Black Glue Drawing With Watercolor Paint

The best part of this watercolor drawing idea is that it starts with a nature scavenger hunt. Kids can use real leaves to help design a composition. Combining black glue and paint creates a stunning final painting every time. This is also the perfect time to explore what happens when you put plastic wrap on top of wet paint.

Easy Watercolor Leaf Painting Lesson

3

Create Abstract Watercolor Paintings

Take a dot on a walk to create a line that can help create an abstract drawing. The best part of this easy art lesson is that there is no wrong way to do it. Use watercolor paints in the colors of your choice. Kids will love that they can just paint and not worry about what they are making!

Simple Watercolor Abstract Art Project

4

Make Raised Salt Paintings

This fun STEAM activity is great for kids of all ages. Children will love adding watercolor paints to fun designs and watching the magic happen!

How To Make Salt Paintings With Kids

5

Watercolor and Shaving Cream Fun

Get the coolest result by using liquid watercolor paints and shaving cream to create shaving cream art. These prints are cool on their own or as part of bigger collage projects.

Read More

6

Cute Model Magic Owl Sculpture

Create a cute owl sculpture with Model Magic and then use watercolor paint to add a fun and whimiscal design.

Easy Model Magic Owl Sculpture

7

Easy Snowflake Watercolor Resist

Using a combination of oil pastel, salt and watercolor will have the kids in awe. They will love the how the snowflake magically appears when they are painting.

Watercolor Snowflake Resist

8

Easy Glue Resist Art on Canvas (with Watercolor Paint)

Kids can even use glue to create a fun drawing. Make sure to let their glue drawing fully dry, before having fun with liquid watercolor paint.

Read More

9

Easy Rainbow Bird Painting For Kids

This bird painting idea is so much fun for kids. They will love using our guide to draw birds. For this kid art project, we chose to paint the background with watercolor paints and use markers in a fun way to achieve the funny rainbow birds.

Easy Bird Art For Kids

10

Colorful ABC Watercolor Painting

Be inspired by Jasper Johns to create a one-of-a-kind alphabet painting. This makes an awesome kindergarten art project idea.

Alphabet Kid Art Lesson

11

Easy Cat Drawing Inspired By Laurel Burch

Using watercolor paint in the background of art is a great way to cover a large space quickly. Beginners can continue to paint the patterned cat or use a drawing material of their choice.

Read More

12

Easy Valentine’s Day Watercolor Painting Idea

Watercolor paints are a perfect way to make easy and homemade cards. This tutorial can help children create a simple heart patterned card to truly showcase their love.

Read More

13

Unique Klimt Tree Of Life Art Lesson

Did you know you can use shaving cream and liquid watercolor to get a fun patterned background? Printing shaving cream is one cool way to get a unique painting idea. If you don't have liquid watercolor paint, then you can also use acrylic paint.

Read More

14

Easy Watercolor Painting For Preschoolers

This watercolor activity is perfect for those 3 year-olds and up. Kids of all ages can create tape-resist art with a little adult assistance.

Easy Watercolor Activity How-To

15

Jackson Pollock Inspired Straw Painting For Kids

This classic process art activity is a must for kids of all ages. Kids will love this cool watercolor painting idea and will love using a straw to create their next abstract masterpiece.

Straw Painting For Kids

16

Easy Watercolor Winter Scene Landscape Painting Tutorial

We always love the results of this painting tutorial. By following the step-by-step instructions beginners can create a winter scene to be proud of.

Winter Watercolor Art Project

17

Easy Model Magic Food Sculpture Art Project

Watercolor paint doesn't only belong on paper. Kids can add character to their miniature food sculptures by using a small brush and their favorite colors.

Food Sculpture Art Lesson & Tutorial

18

Easy Flower Painting Idea For Kids

Georgia O'Keeffe is an inspiration for these large flower projects. Kids will love exploring colors in their zoomed-in compositions.

O’Keeffe Inspired Art Lesson For Kids

19

Paint Clay With Watercolor Paint

No time to glaze those ceramic pieces? No problem. Use watercolor paints and a clear coat as a fun non-glaze alternative.

Tips For Using Watercolor Paint On Clay

20

Easy Watercolor Tree Painting In Fall Colors For Beginners

Beginners can use this easy tutorial to mix warm-colored watercolor paints for a simple painting.

Read More

21

thediynuts.com

Easy Handmade Watercolor Christmas Card Ideas

Whether kids want to paint a simple word or a whole scene, painting on premade cards is a great way to spread holiday cheer.

Read More

22

Easy Glue Resist Watercolor Painting Idea For Kids

Like the canvas project listed above, children can draw a simple shape or design with glue. Once dry, they can have fun experimenting with different techniques like wet-on-wet.

Read More

23

Easy Floral Watercolor Painting Idea

Flowers are a great subject matter for beginners because there are many different ways to draw and paint them. Have fun experimenting with different techniques while creating a fun Spring or Summer painting.

Easy Flower Watercolor Painting Tutorial

24

Watercolor On Coffee Filters

Whether you make watercolor paints with washable markers or paint directly on the coffee filters, kids will love seeing the colors blend.

Read More

25

Easy Mandala Art For Kids and Beginners

Kids can create intricate mandala drawings to paint. Use either tempera cakes or watercolor paints. Our tutorial will help each child get a unique drawing to paint.

Read More

26

Easy Fall Landscape Painting For Kids

Use different materials to create a beautiful Fall watercolor painting. Kids can confidently complete this simple watercolor painting and learn about a few artists along the way.

Easy Fall Painting Idea For Kids

27

Fun Heart Paint With Watercolor Paint Background

This free K-2 art lesson will teach you exactly how to make these easy paintings using oil pastels and watercolor paint. Children love looking at Jim Dine's artwork as inspiration.

Heart Painting Project

Follow us on Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook & Flipboard for more free art and craft ideas!

Explore More Art Ideas For Kids

• 9+ Clay Pinch Pot Projects Perfect For Beginners
• 8+ Creative Bleeding Tissue Paper Art Ideas
• Tips For Using Paint Sticks With Kids (another super fun medium we love using)

Don’t overthink it the next time you need to find an easy watercolor painting project. Get out your favorite art supplies and get creative with your family or students.