Older school-aged kids will practice their drawing speed in this fun project. Our basic techniques can easily be used at home or in the classroom.

Using a Timer in Art

I often find students (and myself) spending a large amount of time sketching, planning, erasing and redrawing details as they seek perfection in a project. Today’s activity helps artists push through this creative procrastination and forces us to focus on portions of the drawing that are vital to the design. We’re also working on hand-eye coordination as we spend less time looking at our page while drawing quickly. The timer allows us to see just how fast we create a basic outline on our page, which in turn allows us more time to focus on more creative aspects of the project.

Related: Brush up on your Shading Techniques with our free printable.

Supplies Needed to Make a Timed Drawing Art Project

• Paper – 2 Pages
• Drawing Tool – Pencil or Pen
• Timer
• An Item to Draw – Flowers, Toys, Picture of an Animal, Art Supplies, etc.

Directions to Make a Timed Drawing

Step 1

First, hold one page horizontally, fold in half. Crease and unfold.

Step 2

Next, holding the page vertically, fold the paper in half. Crease and unfold. The page should now be divided into 4 sections.

Step 3

Then, label sections of page based on time limits for each drawing exercise. We chose 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, and 5 minute sessions.

Step 4

After each section is labeled, use a timer to complete the same drawing for chosen time allotments. Draw the same image for each section, focusing on completing as much of a sketch as possible for that time limit.

• 10 Seconds: Simply encourage the kids to create a basic shape and placement for the drawing. There won’t be time to add details in this section. For example, if drawing flowers, kids may only get circles drawn for the flower or lines for stems.
• 30 Seconds – 5 Minutes: Again, emphasize general shape and placement, letting kids know they can begin to add details as time allows. Encourage kids to draw the entire time limit, even if they feel the sketch is complete, more details or shading can usually be added.

Step 5

Finally, set the timer for an extended period of time (we chose 10 minutes) and complete a more detailed full page drawing.

Finished Timed Drawing Art Project

I love this activity! Though these projects are practice-based, they can still be wall-worthy! Since these drawings are made on paper, you can easily frame, clip, or display in your preferred style. 

Our Experience Making this Timed Drawing Art Project

I see great value in this project and tend to repeat it yearly with my students as a warm up exercise before sketching a detailed image. Also, we always have a good laugh when I let students know they have mere seconds to draw what it set in front of them. By the time the class is through, the kids are beyond comfortable drawing the object and may even find the longer lengths of time a bit much.

Timed Drawing Art Variations

• Choose complexity of objects based on skill of the child.
• Change drawing times to fit your kids and schedule.
• Use this activity as a warm-up activity before creating a more detailed work of art.
• Use seasonal or holiday decorations.
• Use colored pencils, paints, etc. to add color to your final sketch.

Other Fun Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog

Did your kids enjoy using a timer while drawing? What did they choose to draw?

World Book Day is here and what better way to celebrate than with a great book! Books are a great way to learn, grow your vocabulary, and learn new facts, and explore make believe worlds. World Book Day is a day where you can celebrate the joy of reading may it be with a picture book, a novel, a comic book, non-fiction, or even fiction. So, let’s celebrate our love of reading on World Book Day by reading all the books!

World Book Day

World book day was started by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). And because many people agree that books are important, over 100 countries have adopted this holiday!

Why Are Books Important?

Did you know that children who read books regularly tend to have a broader vocabulary, increased knowledge, higher test scores, and a better understanding of the world around them?

That’s pretty significant. Book reading is also important for adults too as it enhances cognitive function, fosters empathy, teaches people to look at different perspectives, and improves vocabulary. It can also relieve stress.

So books are important for both children and adults! Let’s explore different great books with this big list!

This post contains affiliate links.

Related: Check out this BIG LIST of books for kids that love to rhyme.

World Book Day Books For Babies

Babies may not be pupils in school, but there are plenty of resources and great books created by illustrators that just have pictures and simple sight words. This is a great way to help your child experience the world at a young age.

1. First 100 Words: A Padded Board Book

Teach you baby 100 simple sight words with this book. Each page has brightly colored pictures with the name of each picture. This is perfect for babies!

2. My First Library: 10 Board Books For Kids

Just like the first book, this book set has plenty of stories that have bright pictures and sight words. The book topics are:

• ABCs
• Colors
• Numbers
• Birds
• Farm Animals and Pets
• Fruits
• Wild Animals
• Shapes
• Transport
• Vegetables

What a great way for your baby to explore the world on so many different levels.

3. LeapFrog Learning 100 Words Book

Learn 100 new words with this age-appropriate and interactive LeapFrog book. Your baby will be able to learn sight words for pets, animals, food, colors, opposites, outside, and more. Each time you touch a word on the page a sound is made and the star will light up. You can even use this to learn English and Spanish.

4. Who Do You See Crinkle Book

This interactive crinkle baby book is perfect for curious and teething babies. It is a sensory book that allows your baby to explore different pictures, textures, colors, and includes a baby safe mirror which will make tummy time even more enjoyable!

5. Baby Einstein- My First Library

My kids always loved Baby Einstein and they enjoyed these books. There are 12 small books that teach your child simple sight words with fun colorful pictures. Your children can learn about: shapes, letters, counting, colors, and seasons!

6. Noisy Baby Animals Book

Your baby is going to love this Noisy Baby Animals book. They can explore 6 different animal sounds. Plus, they can feel different textures of each animal too. This interactive book brings the world alive by allowing children to explore different animals. This is a great book for World Book Day.

7. Soft Peter Rabbit Book

Who doesn’t love Peter Rabbit? Peter Rabbit is a beloved childhood character beloved by many. And now babies can also experience Peter Rabbit with this soft crinkle book that’s great for teething and has squeakers.

8. Peek-a-boo Activity Book

Your baby can explore colors and patterns with this activity book. Learn sight words in English and Spanish. Each page of this book shows your child a new word and a new animal. Plus, the crinkle interactive pages also gives your baby auditory stimulation.

9. Good Night Moon Soft Book

Goodnight Moon is another classic story! This story is a fun story about a bunny wishing everything goodnight. It’s so sweet. Plus, it’s a soft fabric book where each page crinkles. It also has teether corners, squeakers, different textures, and even peek-a-boo flaps. What a fun sensory book!

10. See, Touch, Feel: A First Sensory Book

This sensory book is full of bright pictures and happy babies. Each page has an activity for your baby that allows the to explore. They experience different textures, different fabrics, and a mirror to look at themselves. Plus, there are different puzzles and activities like tracing the snail’s shell or tapping the drum!

Great World Book Day Books For Toddlers

11. Where’s Spot?

The book “Where’s Spot?” was written by Eric Hill. It’s about Sally, a momma dog, who searches for her silly puppy who is hiding somewhere. It’s a fun interactive book with a happy ending. It is a perfect book for World Book Day.

12. Llama Llama Red Pajama

If you love rhyming then you’ll love this Llama Llama Red Pajama book. Llama Llama is having nighttime drama which makes this a fun bedtime story. It’s a fun book with rhyming and fun artwork and children can relate to the problems Llama Llama has before bed. And parents can appreciate the comforting message of Mama Llama.

13. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Everyone loves The Very Hungry Caterpillar! This is a classic story that all kids can enjoy. Not only is it a fun story with beautiful pictures, but it follows along of of nature’s most beautiful cycles as a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.

14. The Little Engine That Could

The Little Engine That Could is a true classic when it comes to children’s books. It’s been slightly abridged and printed on a board book which makes it perfect for babies and toddlers and teaches them to have a “can-do” attitude and that they can achieve great things if they keep trying! I think this is a great book for World Book Day.

15. Corduroy

I loved Corduroy when I was little. I loved teddy bears so much and this story is about the cutest teddy bear! And now this classic story is available on a board book making it perfect for little kids. It’s another great book toddlers can enjoy on World Book Day.

16. The Gruffalo

The Gruffalo is such a cute rhyming story with fun illustrations. A little mouse takes a walk and meets so many creatures that want to eat him. So he invents a monster that will hopefully scare off all those animals. But, is the Gruffalo real?

17. If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

Speaking of mice, we can’t forget the beloved children’s story, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie! This is such a fun story that will definitely inspire giggles. Giving a mouse a cookie seems to stir up a series of silly events that everyone will love.

18. We’re Going On A Bear Hunt

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt is a great book for World Book Day. Go on an adventure with a father and his children as they pass through rivers, swamps, forests, to find a cave. And what’s in the cave? You’ll have to read it!

19. The Mitten

I love this classic story. I remember reading The Mitten when I was a kid so I had to add it this list for World Book Day. A little boy loses a mitten and woodland creatures find it and silliness ensues. The story is sweet and the illustrations are beautiful. This story is perfect for toddlers.

20. Love You Forever

Love You Forever is a book for both parents and children. It’s such a beautiful book about a mother loving her baby as he grows and talks about the future when the roles are reversed. Be prepared for tears. I cried reading this to my little ones, but it is a great book for World Book Day.

Fun World Day Books For Elementary Kids

21. Hank The Cowdog

Hank the Cowdog is a fun series that follows Hank. He is a dog who has dubbed himself “head of ranch security.” And as such, Hank solves mysteries, protects the ranch, and ends up in some very funny situations. This is a fun book for elementary aged kids.

22. The Berenstain Bears

The Berenstain Bear books are an absolute treasure. The stories are fun and each book has beautiful art. Not to mention, these books after teach kids valuable lessons. I think these books are perfect for World Book Day.

23. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

If you’ve ever had a bad day, then Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is for you! Alexander knew it was gonna be a bad day when he woke up with gum in his hair. And the bad day just kind of spiraled. It’s a very relatable book for everyone, especially kids.

24. Where The Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings

I remember my teacher reading these poems to us in the 2nd grade. The poems in Where The Sidewalk Ends are silly, fun, and are highlighted by wonderful illustrations. This is a great book for World Book Day as it’ll have your imagination running wild!

25. Amelia Bedelia

This Amelia Bedelia book set is so much fun. Children who love silly stories are going to love these short and face paced stories. Each book has fun illustrations, funny situations, and teaches various idioms as well. What a fun way to learn.

26. Junie B. Jones

I think all kids can relate to Junie B. Jones. She is a kindergartener who has to deal with various situations that all kids go through like being scared of the first day of school. Dealing with a new sibling. Letting her words get her in trouble. These books are fun and teach different lessons. Perfect for World Book Day!

27. Boxcar Children Mysteries

These were my most favorite books when I was in elementary school. The Boxcar Children books are about 4 orphans who solve various mysteries and go on daring adventures. They are so exciting!

28. Little Critter Series

The Little Critter books are so much fun. The art is cute, the stories are silly and relatable, and like many other books on this list they have a lesson to teach. These books are great for teaching young children how to deal with various everyday things.

29. Miss Nelson Series

This Miss Nelson collection has beloved books like “Miss Nelson Is Missing!, Miss Nelson Is Back, and Miss Nelson Has A Field Day.” These stories are fun and interesting as it talks about how a teacher helps teach her mischievous students to behave.

30. Magic Tree House Series

The Magic Tree House series is full of excitement and adventure! Experience magic, time-travel, and mysteries with this series about Jack and his little sister Annie who discover a magic tree house! This series is perfect for World Book Day.

Fantastic World Book Days For Middle School Kids

31. The Hobbit

The Hobbit is a great adventure story about a hobbit who wants to live a simple live. That is until a wizard and dwarves turn his world upside down on a wonderful life-changing adventure. This classic book is a must-read on World Book Day.

32. A Series Of Unfortunate Events

These books are great. The Series of Unfortunate Events is a mystery series that is full of humor, excitement, adventure, and danger! Middle school kids will love these stories as each one will keep them on their toes with suspense!

33. Little House On The Prairie

The Little House series are a series that talks about Laura’s childhood as an American pioneer and gives kids a glimpse of what it was like on the American frontier. Explore the frontier with the Ingalls family.

34. The Diary of a Young Girl

The Diary of a Young Girl was about Anne Frank, a 13 year old Jewish girl who had to hide in the attic with her family in 1942 when the Nazis occupied Holland until they were betrayed to the Gestapo. This book is for mature readers, but teaches a piece of history that everyone should learn about.

35. The Hardy Boys

Love adventure? Mystery? Then The Hardy Boys are for you! Follow two teenage brothers as they solve mysteries and crimes! This series is full of suspense, danger, and fun.

36. Nancy Drew

Nancy Drew is also an amateur sleuth. She is a teenage detective that solves crimes, mysteries, and helps her friends navigate through personal challenges. It’s a fun classic series.

37. Holes

Holes is such a great book. You’ve probably seen the movie on Disney. And while it’s similar, the book provides are lot more details about the curse, the boys, and the camp. It’s a great book and perfect for World Book Day.

38. Because Of Winn-Dixie

If you love stories about dogs then you will love Because of Winn-Dixie. It’s the story of a 10 year old girl who finds a dog, but finds that this is no ordinary dog as Winn-Dixie helps her open up her world.

39. Eragon Series

The Eragon series is a high fancy series about dragons, dragon riders, magic, and war. It’s an exciting series that brings high fantasy to life in such a unique way as you watch the characters grow and persevere.

40. Tucker Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting is a classic story. It’s full of mystery, excitement, expense, and really opens up your mind to new topics like immortality and friendship.

Amazing World Book Day Books For High Schoolers

41. The Lord of The Rings

The Lord of the Rings is a great series about friendship, adventure, and good vs evil. It’s a more difficult read, but very much worth it. The world Tolkien builds is a beautiful one full of lore and intrigue. A great series for World Book Day.

42. Animal Farm

Animal Farm is a book that makes you think. A farm is taken over by its mistreated animals. They plan to create a paradise of equality. However, they find that the paradise they dreamed of doesn’t work out. This is a great history lesson, but in satiric form.

43. The Hunger Games

Everyone loves The Hunger Games movies, but have you read the books? The books explain things in the movie so much better and you can learn more about your beloved characters and they dystopian world they live in.

44. Ready Player One

Another fun dystopian book is Ready Player One. The world is an ugly place, but the OASIS is not. But once the creator of this virtual reality world dies everyone races to figure out the puzzles he left behind. Can they save the OASIS before it is too late?

45. The Book Thief

The Book Thief is set in 1939 Nazi Germany. Liesel Meminger steals books and reads them to herself and neighbors during bomb raids. It’s a great book that deals with heavy themes like war and loss. But it’s worth a read.

46. To Kill A Mocking Bird

To Kill A Mocking Bird is a classic story, but one meant for mature readers. It’s a book I read in high school in English Class that explores themes of racial injustice and moral growth during the 1930s in the south.

47. The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault In Our Stars is about Hazel Grace Lancaster, a girl with cancer, who falls in love with a boy in remission. Together they experience various challenges of love, the meaning of life, and illness.

48. Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey

Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey is a heart wrenching story about Tish Bonner and her broken family and how she does her best to take care of things that are beyond her. It’s definitely worth a ready.

49. Running Out Of Time

Running Out Of Time is an awesome book. It is about a 13 year old girl who lives in the 1840s… or does she? When a diphtheria outbreak occurs she must find help. But navigating the world beyond what she knows becomes a shock.

50. The Green Mile

This Stephen King book isn’t scary. Don’t worry. The Green Mile is about Paul Edgecombe who works in a prison and meets a man with healing abilities. The book explores themes of supernatural, empathy, and justice as you explore whether or not the man that could heal was guilty or innocent.

Awesome World Book Day Books For Adults

51. 1984

The book 1984 is a chilling book about a dystopian future where the government does anything and everything to control the narrative. From thought police, to propaganda, and murder, this is a book everyone should read.

52. Wild At Heart

Wild At Heart is a Christian book that talks about how God created men in His image and describes how He intended men to be. God wants men to seek adventure, their need for validation, the need of courage and more.

53. Captivating: Unveiling The Mystery Of A Woman’s Soul

Captivating is the female version of Wild At Heart. God created women in His image, but this book delves into how the feminine heart can be restored, the glorious design of women, and creating a vision of beauty, power, and freedom.

54. Plain Truth

If you love murder mystery, then you’re gonna love Plain Truth. A murder happens in an Amish community…but who did it? It’s a story of twists and turns!

55. The Painted House

The Painted House is such a fun and interesting story that takes place in the 1950s in rural Arkansas. It was inspired by John Grisham’s upbringing. It’s about a little boy who lives with his family who hire people to help during harvest season. However, the young man learns more than he should and these secrets not only threaten the crop, but his family.

56. Along Came A Spider

Another murder mystery book! Along Came A Spider is about a homicide detective, Jezzie Flanagan is the supervisor of the Secret Service and together they must stop a man who wants to commit the crime of the century.

57. Starship Troopers

Starship Troopers is a great book and a great movie. Follow Johnnie Rico and his journey through combat training, moving his way up, and trying to deal with the interstellar war.

58. The Winner

The Winner is a fun thriller! A young woman is beautiful and poor and wants a better life for her daughter. She is offered a gift, $100 million lottery jackpot. She only has to do 2 things. But what happens if she breaks the rules?

59. The Count Of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo is so good. Edmond Dantes is a young man falsely accused of a crime and seeks revenge using the treasure he finds. It’s a great story about vengeance, justice, mercy, and forgiveness.

60. Jurassic Park

If you loved the movie, you’ll love the Jurassic Park book. People thought cloning dinosaur DNA was a good idea. Turns out it wasn’t. It’s a fantastic book full of adventure, terror, and science!

More Reading Fun From Kids Activities Blog:

How are you celebrating World Book Day?

School-aged kids will combine mediums as they create this fun and colorful project. These basic techniques can easily be used at home or in the classroom.

Mixing Colors and Mediums

It is important for artists of all ages to understand how colors and mediums work together. When artists understand these combinations, they can keep fewer supplies on hand while still being able to create an abundance of colors and projects.

Kids will need to choose 2 primary colors for today’s project. Then, bring out all of the supplies that you have readily available in those colors AND the secondary color that they create when mixed together.

Related: Review Primary and Secondary Colors with our free printable.

• Watercolor Paper
• Colored Pencils
• Crayons
• Watercolor Paints
• Acrylic Paints
• Oil Pastels
• Paintbrushes
• Paint Palette
• Paper Towels
• Water
• Extra Textures or Tools – Stencils, Bubble Wrap, Sponge, Corrugated Cardboard, etc.

Step 1

First, use a colored pencil in your secondary color of choice to sketch your design.

Step 2

Next, using your secondary color choice, paint the entire page with watercolor to create a base for your mixed media art.

Step 3

Continuing with the watercolor, use darker values to begin adding shadows and depth to your art.

Step 4

Next, explore combining primary and secondary colored oil pastels to create bold lines within your design.

Step 5

Continue to add lines and details to your drawing using various supplies, such as crayons!

Step 6

Another fun way to add to your art is by experimenting with new tools such as stencils, bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard, sponges, and so on.

Step 7

Finally, consider using watercolor for darkening the background to better showcase your design when adding the finishing touches to your project.

I love how our finished art looks! Since these projects are made on paper, they can easily be framed, clipped, or displayed in your preferred style. 

I think projects are lots of fun when they allow students to empty out the supply closet. This project gives kids a chance to use their imaginations, experiment, and grow as artists. We were able to explore and learn a bit about what happens when colors mix together. Also, we learned what does, or doesn’t work, when layering various mediums. I believe this project easily introduces kids to the world of possibilities provided by mixed media art, encouraging them to explore the world around them through various colors and mediums.

• Use only one color in various supplies to create monochrome art.
• Add colored paper scraps or other materials to your project.
• Adapt project to fit a seasonal or holiday theme.

Other Fun Mixed Media Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog

Did your kids enjoy exploring mixed mediums and colors in this project? What color combinations did they use in their design?

This fish bowl craft is so much fun! Kids of all ages will have have a blast making this fish bowl craft. Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten kids will have a great time making this fish bowl craft. Who doesn’t love fish? And we’re going to make them shiny! Make this fish bowl craft at home or in the classroom.

Fish Bowl Craft For Kids

We are going to make shiny fish and make them a home in a DIY fish bowl. This craft will allow kids to practice fine motor skills, explore animals and their environments, as well as colors.

We like fish, so we were excited to make some! You can pair this fishbowl craft with a under the sea lesson, life science lesson, or a reading lesson. But, without further ado, let’s make this fun fish bowl craft.

This post contains affiliate links.

Related: Try this colorful paper fish craft for preschoolers.

Supplies Needed To Make This Fish Craft

How To Make This Fishbowl Craft

Step 1

Glue jumbo popsicle sticks on a blue construction paper. Make it a fishbowl shape, you can do this by making a hexagon. This will be the base and sides of the fishbowl.

Step 2

Cut off the excess paper around the popsicle sticks.

Step 3

Paint sand on the bottom of your fish bowl.

Craft Notes:

Before you paint anything, put a white layer of paint down. It’ll make your paint more vibrant.

Step 4

Add green seaweed and sea shells.

Step 5

Paint fish in your tank. First paint a sideways balloon shape, and then add the base of a triangle to make an easy fish.

Step 6

Add some glue to the body and fins of the fish. Then add glitter.

Step 7

Add eyes and a smile.

Step 8

Add black lines and details on seaweed and seashells. And you’re finished!

How To Make This Fish Bowl Craft Your Own

Just like all our other crafts, you can make this fish craft your own by:

• Decorating your fish bowl with colored pencils, crayons, or markers.
• Add white dots to make fish bubbles.
• Add some sequins as shells on the bottom with a glue stick.
• Use small popsicle sticks and make a smaller fish bowl.
• Make a rectangle fish tank.
• Add stickers of fish like goldfish in your aquarium. You can also add stuff like starfish.
• Add small pieces of paper to the bottom to look like aquarium pebbles.

Our Experience With This Fun Fish Bowl Craft

My kids love the book: The Rainbow Fish. I personally have mixed feelings about it as I don’t necessarily agree with the message of the book (I know it’s about sharing, but I have other feelings about it), but that’s for another day. My kids love it and I will not rain on their parade. But this craft inspired that.

Grant it, they don’t live in fish bowls. But we made sparkly fish. And my kids loved it. They loved making the fishes and adding stuff to their home. My kindergartener added some rocks and a treasure chest. Decorate it anyway you want.

I hope your family has as much fun making this fish bowl craft as we did!

More Fish Crafts From Kids Activities Blog

How did your fish bowl craft turn out?

School-aged kids will learn about various color combinations when shading with watercolor in this fun project. This basic technique can easily be used at home or in the classroom.

SHading Color Choice

This project focuses on a few color theory options when it comes to shading in watercolors. Many kids default to using black for shadows, but this lesson provides other options that may be better suited for their project. We will explore these four color combinations in today’s project:

• Shading with Black
• Shading with Blue
• Shading with Analogous Colors
• Shading with Complementary Colors

Related: Review Analogous and Complementary Colors.

Supplies Needed to Make this Shading with Watercolor Art Project

• Watercolor Paper
• Watercolor Paints
• Fine-Tip Permanent Marker
• Pencil
• Paintbrushes
• Water
• Paper Towels

Directions to Shading with Watercolor

Step 1

First, use a pencil to lightly sketch a design on watercolor paper. Design should contain at least 4 flowers for shading comparison.

Step 2

Next, trace final pencil sketch using a fine-tip permanent marker. Erase unwanted pencil lines.

Step 3

Then, use watercolor to paint all 4 flowers the same color.

Step 4

When colored layer is dry, begin adding black shadows to your first flower. Practice fading shadows by using a gradient wash to create a more natural appearance on the flowers.

Step 5

Next, move to another flower and begin shading using only a dark blue watercolor pigment.

Step 6

Then, shade another flower using only analogous colors. Remember, analogous colors are simply those that are next to your original color on the color wheel. For example, yellow is between green and orange on the color wheel, either of which could be used for shading in this instance.

Step 7

Next, shade the last flower using only a complementary color. Complementary colors are those opposite on the color wheel such as green and red, blue and orange, purple and yellow.

Step 8

If desired, return to the dried flowers and paint additional layers to brighten your design or darken your shadows. Use caution to not overwork and disrupt previous layers.

Step 9

Then, paint area surrounding the flowers.

Step 10

Finally, you can add finishing touches using the permanent marker once paint is dry.

Finished Shading with Watercolor Art Project

I love how our examples display different shading options within one single piece of art! Since these projects are made on paper, they can easily be framed, clipped, or displayed in your preferred style. 

Our Experience Making this Shading with Watercolor Art Project

What I like most about this project is how it showcases how easily color choices impact our art. Each flower starts with the same color, yet the end results are vastly different. Some color combinations create bright, cheerful flowers, while others appear to deaden or dull the flowers.

This project is also a wonderful opportunity to review various color theory lessons when choosing analogous or complementary colors. If kids choose to paint orange flowers, they will soon discover that orange’s complementary color is blue. Rather than having two flowers shaded in the same way, encourage your child to try a different shade of blue to see how that alters the finished image.

Shading with WAtercolor Art Variations

• Adapt design to fit any season or theme.
• Practice shading with these color choices in other mediums such as colored pencils and acrylic paints.
• Add extra flowers and practice more color combinations for shading.

Other Fun Watercolor Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog

Did your kids enjoy learning about shading with watercolor by using these different color combinations? Which color was their favorite shading option in this project?

We love reading here at Kids Activities Blog. That’s why we created this free printable set of 24 unique bookmarks that are as fun and varied as the readers who’ll use them! This printable set includes a wide mix of styles—from cute and colorful designs for little ones, to witty and nostalgic quotes for older kids and adults (yes, we see you chasing that Scholastic Book Fair high). There are even bookmarks featuring inspiring author quotes that will spark a love of reading every time they open a book.

Download, Print & Cut These Bookmarks

Each bookmark is ready to print, cut, and use—no special supplies needed! Kids can choose their favorites, share them with friends, or even give them as sweet little gifts to teachers, classmates, or fellow bookworms in the family.

Some of our favorite bookmarks include

• “The only thing scarier than a monster? Losing your place in a book.” (Perfect for silly story lovers!)
• “I’ve joined a gang. Well, other people call it a book club, but I say same thing.” (A nod to grown-up readers!)
• And classic reading quotes from beloved authors that remind us just how magical books really are.

Whether you’re diving into your first chapter book or relaxing with a cup of tea and a novel, there’s a bookmark in this set that will make reading even more fun.

Download the Bookmark Set Here

Download Your Bookmarks Now!

Related: Make an origami bookmark <–it looks like a shark!

More Reading Inspired Activities

Happy reading—and may you never lose your place again!

Today we are making a straw flower craft. Kids of all ages will have so much fun making a spring straw craft. It involves homemade stamps and paints! Who doesn’t love painting? This craft uses basic crafting supplies and is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, even kindergarten kids. You can make this straw flower craft at home or in the classroom.

Straw Flower Craft For Kids

This flower craft will allow kids to practice fine motor skills and explore colors. It’s fairly simple, but smaller kids like toddlers and preschoolers may need a little help making their straw stamps. But after that it is pretty easy!

And it’s budget-friendly, so that’s always a plus. You can make your own bouquet of flowers with a pretty vase to enjoy always. So without further ado, let’s make this straw flower craft.

This post contains affiliate links.

Related: Try this easy cupcake liner flower craft for kids.

Supplies Needed To Make This Flower Craft

How To Make This Flower Craft

Step 1

Cut your straws at the base. You want to cut about 1/4-1/2 inch up all around.

Fan out the straw strips.

Step 2

Dip the straw in paint.

Step 3

Stamp the straw and paint in a circle multiple times. Let it dry.

Step 4

Paint a dab of yellow in the middle of each flower. Allow it to dry.

Step 5

Draw stems down to the bottom.

Step 5

Cut the toilet paper roll in half and fold over 2 flaps.

Step 6

Glue on scrapbook paper and cut off the excess.

Step 7

Glue the “vase” on over the bottom of the stems. And you’re done!

How To Make This Straw Flower Craft Your Own

Just like all our other crafts you can change things up to make them your own:

• Make your beautiful flower any color you want.
• Add glitter to the flower head.
• Add glitter to the center of the flower.
• Use pipe cleaners, paper, ribbon, or anything else to make the flower stem.
• Add other bright colors on top of the base color.
• Add leaves.
• Add details to the petals. Like lines.

Our Experience With This Fun Flower Craft

Who knew using the end of the straw as a stamp could make such pretty flowers? We had so much fun making this straw flower craft. We made pink flowers, red flowers, purple flowers, blue flowers, etc.

That’s the best part, you can make any color you want and even mix colors. My kids mixed every color on some and we ended up with brown and black flowers too. I mean, maybe those ones got too much sun?

Either way, I hope your family has as much fun as we did making this flower craft.

More Flower Crafts From Kids Activities Blog

How did your straw flower craft turn out?

School-aged kids will create textured paintings in this fun project. Our basic techniques can easily be used at home or in the classroom.

Adding Texture To Art

Artists often add texture to their creations in many different ways. Today, we will be using a lightweight spackling product. This medium is best suited for an abstract or loose painting technique. The spackling finishes to a light foam-like texture which is excellent for helping kids explore textured elements within their art. The artist can also choose to tint the medium with acrylic paint before using, or paint over the textured medium once it is dry.

Related: Learn about using Implied Textures with our free printable worksheet.

Supplies Needed to Make This Textured Painting Art Project

• Watercolor Paper – Or other heavy bodied material such as cardstock, canvas or cardboard.
• Dap Fast’N Final Lightweight Spackling
• Acrylic Paint – Various Colors
• Palette Knife
• Paper Plate – Or Paint Palette
• Paintbrushes
• Water
• Paper Towels

Directions to Make A Textured Painting

First, decide if you want to paint with colored medium, or add the paint over the medium once it is dried. If painting over dried textured medium, skip to Step 2.

Step 1

Begin by using a clean palette knife to place a small amount of lightweight spackling medium onto the paper plate. Add acrylic paint onto the medium and stir with palette knife to combine. I find that this medium tints very well so only a small amount of paint is needed.

Tip: This spackling dries quickly. Only remove the amount of medium needed and cover container when not in use.

Step 2

Then, scoop a small amount of spackling medium onto the edge of the palette knife. Scrape medium across the page to begin adding texture. Here, we are slowly lifting the palette knife from the page to create a faded effect with the texture.

Step 3

Explore more ways to add texture. Here, the spackling is added to the edge of the palette knife and is smoothly spread across the page to create a more consistent texture.

Step 4

Add large blobs of spackling medium to the end of your palette knife. Press the spackling to the paper and pull palette knife away to create flower petals.

When textured layer is complete, set project aside to dry. Dry time will vary based on texture thickness.

Step 5

When the spackling medium is dry, begin adding color to your design with acrylic paints. Tip: Paint the background of the design first and continue to work your way to the foreground.

Step 6

Finally, add finishing highlights, shadows or details to your project.

Finished Textured Painting Art Project

I love the use of textures in our paintings! Since these projects are made on paper, they are easily clipped or displayed in your preferred style. 

Our Experience Making this Textured Painting Art Project

This was such a fun medium to explore! I love how lightweight this spackling is and it dries quickly, too! Since the spackling dries to a foam-like consistency, kids don’t have to worry about the medium cracking or flaking off of their paintings. I can’t wait to make more abstract designs using this medium combined with other tools and application methods.

Textured Painting Art Variations

• Draw a quick design idea on paper prior to adding texture.
• Explore with different tools and methods to add unique textures to your art.
• Use a basic drywall mud in place of the lightweight spackling.

Other Fun Textured Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog

Did your kids have fun exploring textures in art? What designs did they choose to create?

Learning about butterflies just got more hands-on! This free butterfly life cycle printable set is a fun and educational way to teach kids all about the four stages of a butterfly’s life: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly. Whether you’re at home, in a classroom, or running a co-op science unit, this printable makes learning both visual and interactive.

Printable Butterfly Life Cycle Lesson

Preschoolers and early elementary-aged kids (ages 4-9) will love exploring how a tiny egg transforms into a beautiful butterfly. Younger children can work on matching the flashcards with the stages, while older kids can label and explain each phase in their own words.

Download the Printable Butterfly Lesson Here

Download Butterfly Lifecycle Printable

Related: Download these butterfly facts for kids

What’s Included in the Butterfly Lifecycle Set

4 Hands-on Learning Cards

Cut out these cards of the 4 stages of the butterfly’s lifecycle.

Arrange your cards in the proper space on the numbered spaces.

4 Lifecycle Flashcards

Cut these flashcards out so kids can read and repeat important facts about each of the life stages:

1 – Butterfly Egg

• A butterfly starts life as a very small, round, oval egg.
• The egg shape depends on the type of butterfly that laid the egg.
• Butterfly eggs are usually laid on the leaves of plants.

2 – Larva (Caterpillar)

• Butterfly larvae are actually what we call caterpillars. Caterpillars do not stay in this stage for long and mostly, in this stage all they do is eat.
• When the egg hatches, the caterpillar will start his work and eat the leaf they were born onto.
• Their exoskeleton (skin) does not stretch or grow, so they grow by “molting” (shedding the outgrown skin) several times while it grows.

3 – Pupa (Chrysalis)

• As soon as a caterpillar is done growing and they have reached their full length/weight, they form themselves into a pupa, also known as a chrysalis.
• Within the chrysalis, the old body parts of the caterpillar are undergoing a remarkable transformation, called “metamorphosis” to become the beautiful parts that will make up the butterfly that will emerge.

4 – Butterfly

• When the butterfly first emerges from the chrysalis, both of the wings are going to be soft and folded against its body.
• After coming out of the chrysalis, the butterfly will pump blood into the wings in order to get them working and flapping – then they get to fly.
• Adult butterflies are constantly on the lookout to reproduce and when a female lays their eggs on some leaves, the butterfly life cycle will start all over.

Ways to Use This Printable

? Use it during spring or insect-themed units
?? Add it to a science center or homeschool lesson
? Pair it with a craft (like making a butterfly from a bubble wrap)
? Read a butterfly-themed book like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and reinforce the story with the flashcards

This is a great resource to help children understand the concept of life cycles, build science vocabulary, and enjoy the magic of nature—right from your kitchen table or classroom.

Download, print, cut and watch their curiosity take flight!

Download Butterfly Lifecycle Printable

Butterfly Crafts from Kids Activities Blog

Today we are making a flower craft for kids! Kids of all ages like toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten kids, will love this fun flower craft. They will be making a small bouquet that’s held by a paper hand! How cool! This paper craft uses only basic crafting supplies. You can make this flower craft at home or in the classroom.

Flower Craft For Kids

This budget-friendly craft is simple, fun, and unique. Spring is upon us, and it’s time to enjoy the flowers. Or if it’s not quite flower time where you live, you can easily make your own.

Kids can explore colors and fine motor skills with this flower craft. Plus, it’s unique as you make a paper hand to hold your bouquet! So, without further ado, let’s make this flower craft.

This post contains affiliate links.

Related: Try this easy cupcake liner flower craft for kids.

Supplies Needed For This Flower Craft For Kids

How To Make This Fun Flower Craft

Step 1

Trace your hand on a piece of paper and a small part of your wrist. Cut it out.

Step 2

Glue it on a piece of construction paper.

Step 3

Fold the fingers over and glue the fingertips to the palm of the hand. Do the same For the thumb.

Step 4

Let’s make paper flowers. Trace some flowers onto a piece of construction paper. Or print off our flower template and decorate it.

Step 5

Cut out yellow circles for the flowers and glue them to the flowers.

Step 6

Glue the flowers onto green popsicle sticks. Or use green paint and paint color on regular popsicle sticks.

Step 7

Carefully glue the popsicle sticks in the fingers so it looks like the hand is holding the flowers. You’re done!

Make This Flower Craft For Kids Your Own

You can make this flower craft for kids your own. You can change things up like:

• Making paper tulips. This can easily be a tulips craft. You could also make paper straw tulips.
• Use q-tips to make flowers like q-tip daisies.
• Use pipe cleaners to make the stems.
• Make egg carton flowers.
• You can also use cupcake liners to make flowers for your paper bouquet.
• Use strips of paper for the stems.
• Make your flowers using cardstock paper.
• Use decorative or scrap book paper to make colorful paper flowers.

Our Experience With This Flower Craft For Kids

We had fun making this flower craft. Especially the hand part. That took a little troubleshooting, but we got it! We made so many different flowers. And the best part is, this would make such a cute card for Mother’s day, Grandparents day, or even Valentine’s day.

I will say with my littlest one, while they have the cutest tiniest hands, they couldn’t hold as many flowers. So, you may not need as many flowers if your child is still very small.

But, we hope your family has as much fun making this flower craft for kids as mine did!

More Flower Crafts From Kids Activities Blog

How did your flower craft turn out?