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Home » Fun and Easy Kids Crafts » Art History » The ABCs of Art History for Kids

The ABCs of Art History for Kids

By Krissy of B-Inspired Mama 21 Comments

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FUN Art History for Kids!

ABCs of Art History for Kids at B-InspiredMama.com

This post may have affiliate or sponsored links. Please see my disclosure policy.

I am so excited to be joining in on a fun Kid Blogger Network Series, “The ABC’s of…”!  Over 60 creative bloggers have created the ABC’s of various kids topics in the following categories: Learning through Play, Arts & Crafts, Literacy & Language, Mama Tips & Tricks, and School Activities.

With my background as an art teacher and my passion for art, I thought it’d be fun to share some resources for moms (and teachers) on art history for kids.  So without further ado…

The ABC’s of Art History for Kids!

A – Art History Apps

  • The world of apps for iPhones, iPods, and iPads has really opened up the opportunity for kids to experience art history in a fun and interactive way.  Try Van Gogh and The Sunflowers or Art Collector.

B – Children’s Books

  • There are hundreds of children’s books featuring famous works of art; from board books like Art for Baby for the littlest ones to kid-friendly biography series, Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists.  Check out our picks of more great children’s books about art history.  

C – Cave Painting

  • Line the walls with brown craft paper (like this art teach did) and let the kids do some cave painting. 

D – Dress Up Like Famous Artists

  • Use simple thrift store finds to help the kids dress up like their favorite famous artists.  Find some inspiration for little artists costumes at oh happy day. 
Little Artist Costumes from Oh Happy Day

Little Artist Costumes from Oh Happy Day

E – Expressionism

  • Have kids think about what sounds LOOK like while they create colorful abstract expressionist art like these examples from Art Lessons for Kids.

F – Frida Kahlo

  • Read the children’s book, Frida, and then let the kids draw self-portraits in bed just like Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, did.

G – Greek Pottery

  • Learn about the art of ancient Greece while making Paper Mache Greek Vases. 

 

Paper Mache Greek Vases from Art Lessons for Kids

Paper Mache Greek Vases from Art Lessons for Kids

 

H – David Hockney

  • Have the kids use photographs to create a collage in the style of Modern artist, David Hockey. 

I – Impressionism

  • Show your child how to paint like an Impressionist by holding their paintbrush in different ways to many interesting brush strokes.

J – Jackson Pollock

  • Send your kids outside with some watered down paint, paint brushes and a canvas or big sheet of paper to make some splatter paintings like Jackson Pollock. 

K – Gustav Klimt

  • Read Klimt and His Cat, and then use gold and metallic markers on dark paper to make a tree of life in the style of Gustav Klimt. 

 

Tree of Life Gustav Klimt Art Lesson for Kids from JujuJems Art Studio

Tree of Life Gustav Klimt Art Lesson for Kids from JujuJems Art Studio

 

L – Leonardo da Vinci

  • Paint a fresco in fresh wet plaster just like famous artist, Leonardo da Vinci. 

M – Mondrian

  • Focus on geometric shapes, black lines, and primary colors to make modern art like Piet Mondrian. 

N – Nature Art

  • Use natural materials while on a nature walk to make art like Andy Goldsworthy. 

O – O‘Keefe

  • Set up a still life of flowers and have the kids choose one to focus on while drawing and painting it in the style of Georgia O’Keefe.
Georgie O'Keefe Flower Painting for Kids from The Art of Ed

Georgie O’Keefe Flower Painting for Kids from The Art of Ed

P – Pop Art

  • Give the kids some dot markers to make Roy Lichtenstein inspired Pop Art.

Q – Story Quilt

  • Show your kids the quilt-like illustrations by Faith Ringgold in her children’s book, Tar Beach, and then have them illustrate a story from their life.

R –  Renaissance Art

  • Learn about the Renaissance and play interactive games at The Renaissance Connection from Allentown Art Museum.

S – Georges Seurat

  • Let the kids use watercolors and cotton swabs to make pointillism art like George Seurat. 
Seurat Inspired Pointillism Art from This Mama Makes Stuff

Seurat Inspired Pointillism Art from This Mama Makes Stuff

T – Timeline of Art History

  • Find timelines to help in teaching kids about art history at The Usual Mayhem. 

U – Unity in Art History

  • Explore how artists throughout history have used the Elements and Principles of Design to create unity in their work. 

V – Visit Art History Museums

  • It’s important for children to see art first hand.  Check your local area for an art museum, eve just a small one, to get your child in front of real art.  Or visit Google Art Project for a virtual museum experience.  

W – Andy Warhol

  • Use your camera phone and a photo editing app or software to make Andy Warhol inspired Pop Art photos of your kids. 
Warhol Inspired Pop Art Portraits from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

Warhol Inspired Pop Art Portraits from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

X – X-Ray Art

  • Use chalk or white gel pens to create X-Ray art on black paper inspired by contemporary artist, Nick Veasey. 

Y – Young Children in Art History

  • The kids will relate to the art more if they see young children in it, too.  Check out I AM A CHILD for tons of examples of children in art from many time periods. 

Z – ZAP Stereotypes of What Art Should Be!

  • The more art from history you expose your child to, the broader her definition of art and creativity will become.  So, GO, Mama, explore some art with your little one!

Find all of the ABCs series at This Reading Mama or check out the great ABCs of Arts & Crafts ideas here…

ARTS & CRAFTS ABCs Series:

  • Art History for Kids from B-Inspired Mama
  • Cardboard Box Creations from Here Come The Girls
  • Children’s Music With Art from Rainbows within Reach
  • Crafts and Art from Red Ted Art
  • Crafting on a Budget from Housing a Forest
  • Creativity from Little Artists
  • Paper Plates from Domestic Goddessque
  • Toddler Crafts from Rainy Day Mum
  • Upcycled and Recycled Crafts from Craft to Art
  • Valentine Crafts and Recipes from Local Fun For Kids

More Art History for Kids Ideas:

  • 3 Easy Kids Art Projects Inspired by Art History
  • A Glittery Egyptian Inspired Art Project for Kids
  • Fun Fingerprint Pointillism Painting for Kids – Inspired by Seurat
This post may have affiliate or sponsored links. Please see my disclosure policy.

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Filed Under: Art History, Fun and Easy Kids Crafts Tagged With: Art, Art Education, Art History, Early Learning

About Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Former M.Ed Art Teacher. Current Blogger & Social Media Influencer. Always Crazy & Creative Mama of 3.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Krissy of B-Inspired Mama says

    April 30, 2018 at 11:09 AM

    There is no book. It is just a blog post.

    Reply
  2. Jeannie Sophia says

    January 4, 2014 at 4:32 PM

    I love these ideas! I teach art history to children and I have used some similar projects over the years, but I gleaned lots of new great ideas from this post. I have a few of my lessons up on my blog and will be adding more each month. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  3. Cherine says

    March 10, 2013 at 8:55 PM

    This is such a great resource full of ideas!! Thank you for sharing:))

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-InspiredMama says

      March 12, 2013 at 9:21 AM

      Thanks, Cherine. I had fun putting it together!

      Reply
  4. Michele says

    February 7, 2013 at 2:31 PM

    I love these activities! And they are great for kicking off further discussions. Thanks for the resource.

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-InspiredMama says

      February 8, 2013 at 7:17 AM

      Thanks, Michele! I hope they help you out. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jill@MomsGoneGlobal says

    January 29, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    So many creative art education ideas! Love this & will be pinning it!

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-InspiredMama says

      January 30, 2013 at 10:30 AM

      Thanks for the support, Jill!

      Reply
  6. Ada Cepeda says

    January 10, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    this is beautiful! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Lucy g says

    January 10, 2013 at 4:12 PM

    Brilliant post, very inspiring

    Reply
  8. maggy, red ted art says

    January 10, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Wonderful post. Love what you came up with for each letter, Great resource. Thanks for including our Hockney!

    Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

    Maggy

    Reply
  9. Jen Fischer says

    January 10, 2013 at 10:55 AM

    This is a great post! Love it. Pinned and will definitely be referencing.

    Reply
  10. Karyn says

    January 8, 2013 at 7:35 PM

    What a fabulous post!!

    Reply
  11. wilhcarm says

    January 8, 2013 at 3:33 PM

    Beautiful, beautiful, shared, pinned, love it!

    Reply
  12. mamasmilesblog says

    January 7, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    What a great post! I think my kids would enjoy dressing up as famous artists!

    Reply
  13. Gina @connectingfamilyandseoul says

    January 7, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    What a great list of ideas! Cave painting sounds like fun. Pinning for future reference!

    Reply
  14. Susan Case says

    January 7, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    So creative. Love the photos – especially the mustache.

    Reply
  15. jen | paintcutpaste.com says

    January 6, 2013 at 11:36 PM

    thank you for including our pollock splatter painting in this great post! happy new year!

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-InspiredMama says

      January 7, 2013 at 8:44 AM

      You’re more than welcome, Jen! Thanks for promoting art history with your littles. 🙂

      Reply

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