26 FUN & EASY Painting Ideas (2023)

Looking for some fun and easy painting ideas?

I have 26 painting ideas that are so much fun to try with kids! Even adults will love these ideas.

Let’s get started with my exciting painting ideas!

#1: Puffy Painting

Making your own puffy paint is fun and easy! This is a great painting idea to try!

This puffy paint recipe dries in about 2-3 hours, and it will dry puffy!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

Elmer’s school glue
foam shaving cream
paint brushes
spoon
cardstock paper
food coloring

B. Set-up

In a bowl, mix equal parts of foam shaving cream and glue together. If you want it to be more puffy, add a bit more shaving foam.

To add color to the puffy paint, mix some food coloring in.

C. Activity

Create the pictures you want to make on a piece of cardstock paper with a pencil. This will help your kids be able to paint within the lines.

They will use a small spoon to scoop out the puffy paint to put it on the paper. Then, they will spread it out using a paintbrush!

We created a watermelon, ice cream cone, and pineapple. Once you are done filling all the paint in, you can add fun extras like black beans, craft poms, or sprinkles! They will stick on and stay!

Let these dry for about 3 hours. Feel how soft they are! Your kids will love this sensory craft.

RELATED: Sensory Activities for Kids

#2: Salt Painting

Salt painting is such a fun process! Kids will love this different painting idea.

We have done so many fun salt-painting projects! I love these the most on the black paper.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

table salt
watercolors
glue
cardstock paper (must be this paper)
paintbrush

B. Set-up

Draw your pictures with a pencil and outline them in glue.

Do this on cardstock paper. If you do this project on construction paper, it won’t work; it’ll soak through the paper and be all wet.

C. Activity

Dump salt onto the glue! Don’t be shy, you can add a lot. I find it best when there is a lot of salt on the glue.

Do this on an art tray, and dump the rest of the salt off.

Then, use watercolors to paint the salt. You can do this right away, or you can wait for it to dry.

#3: Foil Painting

Here is a painting idea that adults and kids will love! Hearing the sound of the foil when you paint on it is great.

I always have foil on hand in the kitchen, which makes it easy.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

foil
acrylic paint
paint brushes
hot glue
paint tray

B. Set-up

Draw your image on foil using a pencil. You can skip this part and just paint straight on the foil if you want to. Adding the hot glue is great for smaller children, so they know where to paint!

C. Activity

Outline your pictures in hot glue. Then, have the kids start painting with acrylic paint.

We like to use acrylic paint because they colors turn out so bold! Make sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty just in case they get some paint on themselves.

When the paint is dry, you can even peel off the hot glue!

#4: Bubble Wrap Prints

Creating art with bubble wrap is fantastic! The kids love revealing what the prints look like.

This painting idea is simple and fun. We made a rainbow, but you can make any sort of art with bubble wrap.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

bubble wrap
scissors
paint
white cardstock paper

B. Set-up

Create a semi-circle out of a piece of bubble wrap. Draw the semi-circle with a Sharpie and cut it out with scissors.

C. Activity

Use washable, tempra, or acrylic paint to paint the rainbow!

Then, flip it over and make a print on blue cardstock paper.

Use white paper to create clouds and paste them at the bottom of the rainbow.

#5: Handprint Art

I am a sucker for all handprint painting ideas. I end up keeping all the handprint crafts because they are so fun to look back on.

It was hard to choose which one I wanted to share, I have so many handprint craft ideas! But, this one is perfect for really anytime.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

cardstock paper
acrylic paint
scissors
glue stick
paint brush

B. Set-up

Paint your child’s hand using acrylic paint and make a print on white cardstock paper.

Make sure to press your child’s hand down all over so the print shows up completely.

C. Activity

Create a flower pot out of brown paper and paste it at the bottom of the handprint.

Then, the kids will make flowers out of their fingers! Use acrylic paint to make fingerprints around each finger. Then, make the center of the flower with yellow paint.

Write a sweet message inside the flower pot!

#6: Stained Window Painting

Make your own stained glass windows at home with this fun and simple recipe!

This is a great summer painting idea to do on a day when the kids need to get out of the sun for a bit.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

washable paint
masking tape
dish soap
water
paintbrushes

B. Set-up

Use masking tape to make your design on the windows!

C. Activity

Make the stained glass window paint by mixing washable paint, a splash of dish soap, and a splash of water in a muffin tray.

I did not measure exact amounts, just make sure not to add too much water, or it will be too drippy.

Paint the window using a paintbrush! You may need a few layers of paint to get it to look the way you want.

Slowly peel off the tape to reveal what your stained glass window looks like!

Use window cleaner to get the paint off your window.

#7: Sponge Prints

This painting idea is adorable, fun, and easy for the kids to make! I love you can make so many cool shapes out of sponges.

We made a caterpillar with these sponges, but you can make triangles, hearts, flowers, anything really!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

sponges
Sharpie
paint
googly eyes
paper
scissors
glue stick

B. Set-up

Circle circles on sponges using a Sharpie, then cut them out.

C. Activity

Dip the sponges into red and green paint. We used two different colors of green paint.

Make your prints to make the caterpillars!

Then, create little legs and antennae out of brown paper. Paste them on with a glue stick.

Once the paint dries, add googly eyes and a smile with a marker.

Lastly, we made grass out of green paper by cutting a strip of paper off and making small cuts to look like grass.

#8: Painting Pasta

This rainbow craft for preschoolers never gets old!

The process of dying the noodles is fun and simple.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

cardstock paper
noodles
acrylic paint
ziplock bag
art tray
parchment paper
glue

B. Set-up

Add a cup of noodles into a ziplock bag and squirt some acrylic paint inside.

Shake it up and make sure the paint is covering all the noodles! Dump out to dry on parchment paper.

Make sure to separate the noodles so they don’t stick together. Repeat this process for each color of the rainbow.

C. Activity

Wait for the noodles to dry. This process takes about 20 minutes for them to dry fully!

Then, have the kids use school glue to create a rainbow! Add a little glue to the noodle and stick it to the paper.

This is a great sensory craft for kids.

#9: Ice Painting

Painting ice is the best painting idea for kids! It literally can’t get easier than this.

As a parent, there are times we just need to get some things done around the house, this is a fun and simple way to keep your kids happy!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

tray
ice
paint
paint brush

B. Set-up

Dump some ice in a tray or container!

C. Activity

Add some paint to a paint tray. Then, your kids can paint the ice. Let them explore color mixing too!

We like to use Crayola washable paint for this activity. We have used both classic colors and bright paint colors.

Both of these work great for this painting idea!

#10: Fingerpaint Crafts

I love this simple and fun rainbow craft! Fingerprinting art is fun for the kids to do.

I love keeping these crafts to look back on the kid’s little prints.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

cardstock paper
washable paint
cotton balls
glue
markers

B. Set-up

Create a rainbow on paper using markers! This will help your child know where they have to make fingerprints.

C. Activity

They will dip their finger in 1 color at a time and make prints along the lines you drew. They can use a paper towel to wipe off their finger between colors.

Then, they will add a little glue at the bottom of the paper to add cotton balls for the clouds!

#11: Painting Rocks

My kids LOVE painting rocks. It’s something fun and different for them to create.

Painting rocks is a great nature craft that kids can place outside as decoration!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

rocks
acrylic paint
paintbrushes
googly eyes
glue

B. Set-up

Head outside and grab the rocks you want to paint! Try to find large flat rocks!

C. Activity

Use acrylic paint to paint the rocks any way you’d like! I have a few fun suggestions that are easy for kids in the photo.

Paint the first layer on and wait for it to dry. Then, you can paint your design or you can even fingerprint your designs.

RELATED: Outdoor Activities for Kids

#12: Straw Print Painting

How cool are these straw prints? This is such a fun and different painting idea for adults and kids to try.

We have made Christmas trees, wreaths, hearts, rainbows, and butterflies with this method. You can make whatever you want!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

paper/plastic straws
acrylic paint
cardstock paper

B. Set-up

Cut your straw in half so it’s easier to hold and make prints. Then, cut 5 slits into the bottom of the straw.

Flip them back so it looks almost like a star.

C. Activity

Draw the shape that you want to create on cardstock paper with a pencil.

Then, dip the straw in the paint and start making prints. Using a paper straw is easier to make prints than plastic straws.

For this specific craft, we added some fingerprint ornaments, a star sticker and even some snow around the tree!

#13: Toilet Paper Painting Prints

I love using TP rolls for activities because we ALWAYS have them on hand, and it’s a FREE way to create art!

How cute are these flowers? I love how they turned out, and the kids loved stamping with them.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

B. Set-up

Use scissors to cut each toilet paper roll! Create different amounts of cuts to make the flowers different.

C. Activity

*Dip the toilet paper roll into the paint. You can also use a paintbrush to paint the toilet paper rolls. Then, stamp it on white cardstock.

*Press down the sides to make sure all the paint gets on the paper! Once all your prints are on, use a paintbrush to make the center of each flower. Paint on some stems and the grass!

#14: Craft Pom Painting

I just love seeing the colors of the rainbow. This craft is SO fun and colorful.

Painting with poms is such a fun way to make a rainbow craft for kids! It’s the perfect spring craft for kids.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

poms
clothespins
paper
washable paint
paint tray
markers
glue
cotton balls

B. Set-up

Draw a rainbow using markers on a piece of white paper. Then, add the same color paints to a paint tray. Lastly, put some clothespins on pom-poms and place them into the paint.

C. Activity

The kids will use color-matching skills to dab the poms on the rainbow! This is a fun way for the kids to paint.

It’s an excellent fine motor activity as well! After they are all done creating the colors on the rainbow, add some glue at the bottom of each side.

The kids will place white cotton balls at the ends to make the clouds for the rainbow!

RELATED: Rainbow Crafts for Kids

#15: Splat Art Painting

Splat art is a fun process for kids to create! They love being able to smoosh the paper together and reveal the other side.

This insect craft turns out so pretty!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

black cardstock paper
Q-tips
acrylic paint
scissors
glue stick

B. Set-up

Create a butterfly shape on black cardstock paper and cut it out.

C. Activity

Use a Q-tip and dip it into paint and use it as a paintbrush to create your butterfly designs. You’ll make the design on one side of the butterflies wing.

Then, fold the butterfly shape over and press down around the entire shape.

Then, peel it open to reveal the symmetry on the other side! This is such a fun process.

Lastly, create the middle of the butterfly by drawing an oval shape. Make paper antenna and glue it of the back of the butterfly.

#16: Leaf Print Painting

This is a must-try leaf craft for kids this fall season. The prints turn out absolutely beautiful!

Your kids will love searching for leaves outside for this project. Have them look for different shapes and sizes of leaves.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

leaves
washable paint
cardstock paper
art tray
paint tray
paintbrush

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B. Set-up

Grab some leaves from outside! Try to search for leaves that don’t have any holes in them. This will make the prints turn out the best.

C. Activity

The kids will paint the leaves. They can use whatever colors they like. We chose to use rainbow colors!

They will paint the side of the leaf with the ridges, so they show up on the paper.

Flip the leaf over and make sure to press down on the entire leaf to make the whole print show up. Slowly lift it up so make sure it doesn’t get smudged.

Check out your amazing leaf prints! This is such a beautiful leaf craft.

#17: Fork Painting

Using forks to make tulips is the perfect spring craft for kids!

It turns out really cool! Also, it was SUPER easy to do. I always appreciate low-prep activities!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

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B. Set-up

On a white piece of paper, paint on some stems using green paint!

C. Activity

The kids will dip the forks into the paint and place them at the top of each stem, so it looks like a flower! Make sure that the entire fork gets rolled onto the top of the stem!

You can extend this activity by creating flower patterns.

#18: Q-tip Dotting

This painting idea is a great way to work on fine motor skills!

Using Q-tips for painting is easy, and it turns out so cool!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

Q-tips
acrylic paint
cardstock paper
paint brush
glue stick

B. Set-up

Create a vase out of colored paper and paste it onto black or white cardstock paper.

C. Activity

Paint green stems coming out of the vase with a paintbrush.

Then, make a yellow circle for the center of the flower with the Q-tip

Dip the Q-tip in paint and make dots around the centers of the flowers. We used bright acrylic paint colors so it would show up nicely on black cardstock.

RELATED: Fine Motor Activities

#19: Sponge Resist

Here’s another fun way how to use sponges! This painting idea is adorable to adapt to any picture you’d like to make!

We made a pumpkin during Halloween time, but you could make a heart, butterfly, leaf, or any other fun shape!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

sponges
scissors
cardstock paper
paint
masking tape

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B. Set-up

Cut a sponge into 4 rectangular shapes using scissors. Then, create a pumpkin shape on paper, cut it out, and use masking tape to tape it onto orange paper.

C. Activity

Have the kids dip their sponges into black paint and make prints around the paper, some around the pumpkin shape. Repeat this with purple and green too!

When they are done making prints, peel off the pumpkin shape to reveal what it looks like underneath! You can leave it as is or make a face for the pumpkin using a black marker.

#20: Squirt Art Painting

Looking for a fun new way to paint with your kids? This is a must-try summer painting idea.

They will love using a squirt gun to paint and create a masterpiece! This process to this art project is WAY too much fun!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

squirt guns
liquid watercolors
canvas

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B. Set-up

Put the liquid watercolors in each squirt gun! I used 4 squirt guns with different colors inside.

C. Activity

Let the kids spray away! Easy as that. They will LOVE seeing the colors appear and drip down the canvas!

#21: Black Glue Painting

Black glue art is such a fun activity to try! We have made a bunch of different crafts using black glue.

This painting idea makes the watercolor paints really POP!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

black acrylic paint
Elmer’s glue
cardstock paper
watercolors
paint brush

Click HERE for your free heart template

B. Set-up

Make black glue by squirting black acrylic paint into a bottle of Elmer’s glue. I like to use a bottle that is about half empty.

Shake it up so the black color combines with the glue.

You can use my template for this activity, or you can draw your own heart shape with lines on it!

C. Activity

Outline the drawing or the template in black glue! You should do prep this activity the night before because you need to wait for the glue to dry.

I have also used a hair dryer to make it dry quicker, but it does smear the paint just a little.

Once the glue is dry, use watercolors to paint in the empty spaces! It turns out SO pretty!

RELATED: Valentine’s Day Crafts

#22: Watercolor Resist

Here is a way to combine art with learning! I love this painting idea for toddlers and preschoolers.

It’s a wonderful and magical way to practice and learn the letters of the alphabet.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

watercolor paper
watercolors
paint brush
white crayon

B. Set-up

Draw the letters of the alphabet using a white crayon on watercolor paper.

You need to make sure the letters are colored in bold enough! Go over them once or twice to make sure they will show up.

C. Activity

Kids will use watercolors to reveal the alphabet letters. Once they reveal one letter, have them tell you which one it is!

This is a fun and interactive way to practice the letters. This can also be changed to numbers, shapes, or even sight words.

#23: Flower Pot Painting

In my opinion, this is my favorite nature craft for kids! The kids loved creating these flower pots, and they get to see them outside all spring and summer.

This also makes a great gift for Mother’s Day, teachers, or someone special. It’s the perfect spring craft for kids to make.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

flower pots
flowers
acrylic paint
acrylic paint markers
clear sealer

B. Set-up

Do the first layer of paint on your flower pots with acrylic paint. We made a watermelon and ladybug pot, and we did a drip paint activity. So we painted one pink and two of them white.

I also added a green at the top of the watermelon pot and red on the ladybug pot.

Wait for your flower pots to dry (this will take about 30 minutes to dry completely).

C. Activity

For the watermelon flower pot, have the kids make black fingerprints around it.

To create the ladybug flower pot, the kids will make fingerprints using red paint. Then, once those are dry, use a black acrylic paint marker to create a head, legs, antenna, and dots on each ladybug.

Lastly, to create the dip paint flower pot, have the kids squeeze acrylic paint all over the pot. They can use a bunch of different colors to make it look really cool! There’s no wrong way to do this one!

Let these dry completely- the drip paint one takes a few hours.

Once they are dry, spray them with an acrylic paint-clear sealer. Do this outside because it can smell bad.

Then, you have your beautiful flower pots that will stay all spring and summer long!

RELATED: Nature Crafts for Kids

#24: Tape Resist Art

Tape-resist painting is a fun process for kids! The reveal is so much fun; even the adults love it.

This is a fun painting idea to try, and there are a few ways you can do this.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

colored masking tape
watercolors
cardstock paper

B. Set-up

Create your designs using colored tape on cardstock paper. It must be cardstock paper. The tape will rip other types of paper other than cardboard.

C. Activity

Paint the open spots on the cardstock paper with watercolors.

Once the watercolors have dried, slowly peel up the tape to reveal the design!

We tried this project with some fun lines, created a butterfly shape and made a heart in the middle, and painted the outside!

#25: Blow Painting

Blow painting is such a fun process for the kids to try. This painting idea didn’t disappoint!

How cool did this fire craft turn out? The kids loved seeing the paint spread out!

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

View Amazon’s Price

B. Set-up

Add liquid watercolors to a shallow bowl or cup. You can also use a little water and food coloring.

If your straw is bendable, cut that part off to make it easier for the kids to move back and forth.

C. Activity

Dip the straw into the liquid and place a finger on the top of the straw to stop the liquid from escaping.

Once on the paper, they can let go, so it drops on the paper! They will then blow into the straw to spread the liquid around on the paper.

Repeat this with the different colors to make a fire!

Hot glue some sticks to the bottom to make this fun fire craft

#26: Bubble Painting

What a fun outdoor painting idea for kids! Adults will love this too. The prints turn out so pretty.

The whole process of this art activity is a blast. My 8-year-old just loved it.

This activity is for ages 6+. Kids should not inhale when placing the water bottle in their mouth because the solution will come back up into their mouth.

How to do this activity

A. Materials you need

bubble solution
cardstock paper
food coloring
old sock
hair tie/rubber band
plate
scissors/knife

B. Set-up

Cut 1/4 of the water bottle off the bottom. I suggest using a water bottle like Aquafina for this project. It works better when it’s more sturdy.

To cut the water bottle, you can use scissors, or you may need to use a knife. This part should be done by the adult.

C. Activity

Cut an old sock and wrap it around the open part at the bottom. Secure it with a rubber band or hair tie.

Add some food coloring (gel) to the bottom of the sock. We chose to use three different colors at a time.

Dip the water bottle in bubble solution and start to blow from the top of the water bottle. It should come out like a snake!

Place cardstock paper under the bubbles to create some awesome bubble art prints!

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Painting ideas are just way too much fun! It’s a great way to teach the kids about the great outdoors.

I hope you have found some nature crafts that you can do with your kids.

I’d love to hear what your favorite craft/activity was in the article. Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Crafting!

Deena