We have been experimenting a lot with watercolors lately. Something about seeing the colors mix and blend together is incredibly satisfying! I also love that there are so many watercolor painting ideas for kids out there that are easy and also look stunning. That’s a win-win!
If you have a little artist on your hands, I have a bunch of watercolor painting ideas to share with you today. But before we get into the ideas, I also want to share one of my Family Unit Studies that your little artist will love!
It’s called Exploring Color, and covers everything from the physics of color, to the anatomy of color vision, the science behind rainbows and natural pigments, color theory, and some famous artists like Piet Mondrian, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol.
Phew! There’s a lot of fun, hands-on color learning packed into this beautiful unit study!
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If you’re new here, let me explain. This unit study, like all of our ever-growing library of unit studies, takes one big topic—Color—and breaks it down into ten manageable, bite-sized learning topics. This format gives you the freedom to dive into learning at a pace that works for your family.
Each of the ten topics included with a unit study contains everything you need for that topic, including:
- a curated YouTube video,
- suggested information to read,
- a “what’s happening” section,
- an interesting fact,
- a discussion questions
- literacy and math extension questions,
- and an ultimate-can’t-be-beat hands-on activity!
Perhaps you do one topic per day, perhaps one per week. Whatever suits your fancy! You can learn about music and instruments and explore a topic from start to finish in about 1-2 hours.
Free Color Mixing Activity & Template
One more thing before we get into the watercolor painting ideas!
You’ll want to grab this FREE Color Mixing Activity & Color Wheel Template. It is one of the hands-on activities from the Exploring Color Family Unit Study and a wonderful way to introduce children to primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Get your copy right here:
32 Watercolor Ideas for Kids
Okay, now back to the watercolor painting ideas! We tried many of these 32 watercolor techniques and ideas—and they were great for my little and big kids!
Watercolors and Crayon Resist – This is a classic! Simple and straightforward—and could be used in so many ways! We made a beautiful winter landscape.
Watercolor with Coffee Filters by Hands on As We Grow – These are gorgeous for spring! What a lovely way to brighten up a room.
Watercolor on Canvas by Learn with Play at Home – My daughter loves painting on a canvas. It is a sign to little ones that their art is important.
Watercolor, Glue, and Salt by Sweet Happy Life – The process is fantastic, and look at this end result!! Gorgeous!
Watercolor on Board Books by Creative with Kids – What a fantastic way to re-purpose!
Watercolor on Eggs by Modern Parent Messy Kids – I have never thought of using watercolors on eggs for Easter—what a wonderful watercolor painting idea!
Watercolor Paint and Cling Wrap by Picklebums – We tried this watercolor painting technique, and it’s so much fun. It was great fun for even my littlest artist!
Watercolor Wet-on-Wet Technique by Nurturestore – I actually used this watercolor technique in my Kindergarten classroom a few years ago—it is so neat!
Watercolors and Stamps by Balzer Designs (link no longer available) – This technique we have not yet tried, but it is on our to-do list. Simply water, stamps, and watercolors! Awesome.
Watercolors and Bubbles by Art Ideas Crafts (link no longer available) – We are saving this one to try outside this spring. I know it will be a huge hit!
Watercolor on Seashells by Pink and Green Mama – We have created out of sea shells before, but we have not done watercolor on them—what a neat idea!
Watercolor Silhouettes by Prudent Baby – These look so gorgeous, and you could use so many different silhouettes.
Watercolor and Cookie Cutters by Love and Laundry – Sometimes watercolor painting ideas are simple AND brilliant. I just love this idea of using cookie cutters!
Watercolor and Flower Prints by Lil Sugar – This one is fantastic. I love creating with nature!
Watercolor and Doilies by Meg Duerksen (link no longer available) – What a beautiful watercolor painting idea! I love the picture of these strung up in the window.
Watercolors on Pinecones by Sara’s Art House – Another Sara with a weakness for pine cones perhaps… LOVE.
Watercolor Pour Painting by Housing a Forest – We have done pour painting on planters before, but not with watercolors—what a neat technique!
Watercolors and Tape by Willowday – This would be beautiful for wrapping presents!
Watercolors and ‘Drippy Splashy’ Process Artby Artchoo – These watercolor ideas—with drippy and splashy techniques—are fantastic examples of process art!
Watercolor and Wrapping Paper by Buggy and Buddy – I love homemade wrapping paper! Easel paper works really well for this sort of art.
Watercolor Symmetry by Sweet Paul Make – This symmetrical art is so pretty, and full of learning too!
Watercolor Sticker Resist by Tinkerlab – This is another classic watercolor technique. Perfect for very young artists!
Watercolor and Shaving Cream Marbling by Tot School – This watercolor painting idea is awesome. Just grab some inexpensive shaving cream. Stirring gently is key!
Watercolor and Oil by Babble Dabble Do – I think this watercolor technique may be one of my very favorites. A lovely process and super cool result.
Watercolor and Magic Milk by Life Lesson Plans – Magic milk with watercolors. Super cool!
Watercolor and Snow by Lemon Lime Adventures – We did lots of snow painting this year but never brought the watercolors out there!
Watercolors on Contact Paper by My Little 3 and Me – These are such beautiful suncatchers!
Crystallizing Watercolors by Fun at Home with Kids – I love it when science and art combine to create beauty!
Watercolor Eruptions by Blog Me Mom – This is another awesome science and art combination—and PURE AWESOME!
Watercolor Painting with Salt – We shared this watercolor painting idea with you yesterday. So simple and really pretty!
Watercolor on Salt Dough – Watercolors are awesome for painting on salt dough!
I hope you check out some of these neat ideas—art is an amazing outlet for so many kids! I have gotten much better at focusing on the process when doing art with my little ones, and these watercolor painting ideas are excellent for focusing on process!
And if you want to take a deep dive into all things art and color with your kids, you’re going to want the Exploring Color Family Unit Study!
Get the Complete Exploring Color Family Unit Study
Grab the full Exploring Color Family Unit Study right here: https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/family-unit-study-exploring-color
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xo
Sarah
These watercolor ideas are simply brilliant. As an art teacher of 3-6 year olds, I am always looking for new ideas! Thank you so much!
So glad you think so Nicole – and thank you very much for taking the time to comment!
Thanks so much for including our sun catchers. Now I’m off to explore all the other lovely ideas.
Wow, How did I miss that you included us! Thank you so much! Great collection!
So happy to Dayna – a great idea! Thank you!
Wow, that’s a lot of different watercolor techniques and ideas. Thanks for linking up to the Thoughtful Spot Blog Hop. Hope to see you next week!
Thank you Thaleia!
Great collection! Thanks for sharing at After School!
I’m teaching a week-long watercolor themed class at a summer camp next week and these ideas are BEYOND cool. I can’t wait to see what my campers come up with. Thanks for your help!
Yay! So glad it helped you out Emily!
Great work ! Just love the oil and paint and also the bubble painting. Helped me in my Summer Vacation’s Project. Love yaah. Thank you so much.
Very glad this post was helpful to you Connie! Enjoy your summer vacation project and thank you for reading!