10 ART ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS: SIMPLE STEPS, BIG FUN
Did you know that art is actually a form of sensory play? It’s true! The use of tactile materials, colors, and textures is perfect for stimulating sensory processing. That’s not the only reason I love incorporating arts and crafts into playtime, though. It’s such a fantastic way to give children the chance to explore, use their creativity, and strengthen essential skills—without them even realizing it.
But here’s the thing: every child is different—from age and abilities to interests and sensory preferences. The art projects you plan for a toddler are going to look different from those for a preschooler. This is why it’s so important to choose activities that meet kids where they are—developmentally, emotionally, and sensory-wise. Not only will they enjoy the activities more, but they’ll also benefit more, too!
So today, I’m shining a light on one specific age group: preschoolers! I’ll share a list of the easiest, most exciting art activities that are just right for this stage. And the best part? These ideas are simple to set up, fun to explore, and designed to support little hands with big imaginations.
10 Art Activities for Preschoolers: Simple Steps, Big Fun
When you’re looking for the perfect art activity for preschoolers, I’ll let you in on a little secret… Sometimes the simplest of materials spark the most creativity—and the biggest smiles!
You don’t need any fancy toys or expensive equipment, just check out my post, “Household Items for Sensory Play!” You can use everything from shaving cream to bubble wrap to pipe cleaners to create engaging, open-ended art projects that all little ones will love.
Plus, it’s no surprise that the more enjoyable an activity is, the more kids will get out of it. And as I mentioned earlier, when an activity meets your kid where they are, they’re much more likely to stay engaged, feel successful, and build the very skills these activities are meant to support. After all, process art activities aren’t about the final result—they’re about, well, the process!
Before we head into the list of activities, let’s talk about why art is important for preschoolers. And while we do this, I’ll also touch on how arts and crafts help child development! You’ll be amazed at how many benefits lie beneath a little creativity.
Why Is Art Important in Preschool?
Supports fine motor skills: When we think of fine motor skills, we often forget how essential they are for everyday tasks. They help with all the little things, such as buttoning clothes, tying shoes, holding pencils, and brushing teeth. When an activity involves tasks like cutting, gluing, or painting, it helps slowly strengthen those hand muscles and improve coordination.
Encourages self-expression: The older kids get, the more they begin to figure out who they are. This process begins at birth, but really starts to show up around preschool age. Art gives children that outlet to express their thoughts and feelings in a way that makes sense to them—even before they have all the words to describe those feelings!
Boosts creativity: Creativity isn’t just about creating a unique piece of art. It’s also about using essential cognitive skills like problem-solving and critical thinking! Open-ended art ideas encourage kids to think outside the box. Because of this, it allows them to explore materials and experiment without limits.
Builds confidence: With creativity comes confidence. And with confidence comes the desire to take on new challenges and learn from mistakes—it’s all a cycle! Kids love seeing their own ideas take shape, and art is such a powerful way to make that happen.
Improves focus and patience: Masterpiece or not, art takes time! There’s a lot of color mixing, texture blending, and decision-making involved. This naturally encourages kids to slow down, stick with one task, and enjoy the process from beginning to end.
Reinforces early academic concepts: Your lesson plan may not include teaching your preschooler math and writing. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a head start! Art is a great way to introduce (or reinforce) colors, shapes, numbers, and letters in a memorable way.
What Are Some Art Activities for Preschoolers?
Shaving Foam Pictures: With a little food coloring and shaving cream, you get the perfect, soft material for kids to play with! My shaving foam sensory play recipe explores a few other ways you can use this versatile material.
Bubble Wrap Feet Painting: Want something a little more immersive? This bubble feet painting activity is colorful, engaging, and a little messy—in the best way!
Taste-Safe Paint: Taste-safe paint keeps everything safe and natural. Plus, there are so many things you can do with this material! Pull out a few pieces of paper and watch your kid’s creativity flourish.
Color Mixing Bags: If you are working on counting or spelling, I can’t recommend this color mixing bag activity enough! Even better, it’s mess-free and colorful.
Printable Activity Packs: Stuck inside on a rainy day or headed out on a road trip? Printable activity packs are a fun, low-prep way to keep minds engaged.
Colorful Sensory Bin: Sensory bin benefits are fantastic, no matter your kid’s age. Plus, the bins are easy to customize and full of creative, artistic opportunities.
Melted Crayon Canvases: Melting crayons is an art activity I was thrilled to pass down to my kids! Look through my list of melted crayon crafts—there are a surprising number of ways to use them.
Dot the Heart: Simple, quick, and a handful of materials—this dot the heart activity is my idea of fun! Plus, it’s perfect for encouraging focus and concentration.
Bean Painting: Turn old trays (or recycled paper plates) into an art project—all it takes is beans and liquid watercolors. Check out “painting with beans” for a step-by-step guide!
Puffy Paint Rainbows: Don’t love the mess that comes with regular paint? Use these puffy paint crafts! Just as much fun, just a lot less tidying afterwards.
Art activities for preschoolers aren’t just fun—they’re also developmentally beneficial!
As much as I love creating larger, more extravagant activities (hello, outdoor sensory paths!), sometimes less is more. Preschoolers are in a season of big growth—physically, cognitively, and emotionally. So, yes, while art is fun for them, it’s also incredibly useful for aiding those important milestones! And with a handful of household items and a little bit of creativity, your little ones can have fun and grow all at the same time.
For more fun learning through play, check out these activities for 1-year-olds.
If you loved this post, you’ll really love our new book, Playful by Design! It’s a simple, straightforward guide for transforming your home into a place of creativity and connection. Order now to learn more about self-directed play, designing thoughtful spaces, and making time to catch your breath along the way.
And of course, don’t forget to visit the Mothercould blog! I’m constantly posting about exciting arts and crafts, engaging sensory activities, helpful cleaning tips, and kid-friendly recipes. For even more, check out Mothercould In Your Pocket—a resource dedicated to guided play recipes, helpful parenting hacks, and behind-the-scenes bonus content!
