Art Activities for Youth
Here are some art activities for youth to do at home whether it is a homeschool setting or or activities that your child can do over the summer holidays. These are some great low cost and affordable art activity options for your children to try. Save these art activities for youth ideas for later!
You can download my free figure symmetry drawing sheets by clicking on the button below.
Drawing & Painting
Blind Contour Drawing
What you need: Pencil, paper
Why it’s great: Fun and silly warm-up that builds observation skills.
Watercolour Resist with Crayons or Oil Pastels
What you need: White crayon/oil pastel, watercolour paint or food colouring + water
Tip: Great science tie-in (wax vs. water properties)
DIY Sketchbook Making
What you need: Scrap paper, cereal box covers, stapler or hole punch
Tip: Kids can personalize their sketchbooks and use them all term.
Still Life Drawing with Toys or Kitchen Objects
What you need: Any household objects, pencil, paper
Tip: Teaches composition and observation.
Colour Emotion Portraits
What you need: Basic paints or coloured pencils
Why it’s great: Integrates well with SEL (Social-Emotional Learning)
Magazine Collage Art
What you need: Old magazines, scissors, glue
Tip: Great for self-expression — prompt with "What inspires me?"
Recycled Cardboard Sculpture
What you need: Cardboard, scissors, tape or glue
Tip: Use for 3D thinking; combine with a lesson on architecture or engineering
Found Object Art
What you need: Small objects (buttons, leaves, yarn bits, etc.)
Why it’s great: Totally free and tactile — awesome for younger kids too
Paper Mosaic Art
What you need: Old paper scraps, glue, a base paper
Tip: Use this with geometry lessons (patterns, symmetry)
Texture Rubbings Art Walk
What you need: Crayons, paper, clipboard
Tip: Take it outdoors! Do rubbings of tree bark, fences, leaves, etc.
Nature-Based Projects (Free Materials!)
Leaf or Nature Collage
What you need: Leaves, twigs, flowers, glue, paper
Why it’s great: Seasonal, sensory, and works for all ages
Land Art in Your Backyard
Inspired by: Andy Goldsworthy
What you need: Rocks, leaves, sticks — no glue or tools
Why it’s great: Totally free, outdoors, and beautiful. You can check out my nature mandala art lesson by clicking here!
Nature Drawing Walks
What you need: Pencil, sketchbook or paper clipboard
Tip: Bring science into it by sketching what you observe
Creative Prompts & Games
Drawing Prompt Jar
What you need: Slips of paper in a jar
Ideas to include: "Draw something that floats," "Draw your dream pet," "Design a new planet” Check out my drawing prompts for high school here!
Art Dice Game
What you need: Dice + list of categories
Tip: Roll for colour, subject, or material (can make a printable template)
One-Minute, Five-Minute, Ten-Minute Drawing Challenge
What you need: Timer, pencil, paper
Why it’s great: Encourages quick thinking and creativity
"Draw This Song" Activity
What you need: Music and drawing supplies
Tip: Works great with instrumental music — let them draw what they “hear”
Mindful & Expressive Art
Gratitude Art Journals
What you need: Paper or DIY sketchbook, crayons or markers
Prompt: “Draw 3 things that made you smile today”
Zen Doodles / Mandala Patterns - check out my popular zentangle art pages here!
What you need: Paper and pen
Tip: Quiet time activity, great for calming energy
Feelings Collage
What you need: Paper scraps, glue, images from magazines
Prompt: “What does joy look like? Sadness?”
Dream Board or Vision Poster
What you need: Old magazines, glue, big sheet of paper
Why it’s great: Helps with self-reflection and goal setting
"My Year in Colours" Journal Page
What you need: Paper, coloured pencils or crayons
Prompt: Assign a colour to each month or memory — fill in a circle chart or bar
Textile Art
Embroidery
What you need: fabric, scissors, embroidery hoop, embroidery floss
Prompt: draw a design with washable marker on fabric and then add stitches over top.
Paper Making Seed Starters
What you need: a blender, ripped up paper, water, some seeds, a sponge
Prompt: use a cookie cutter to complete a shape of handmade paper. Check out my paper making lesson here!
Art Activities Mentioned:
Drawing prompts for high school
Paper making seed starter lesson
A great way to incorporate art is through math with symmetry drawing. You can check out my symmetry drawing books on Amazon below:
You can download my free figure symmetry drawing sheets by clicking on the button below.
Conclusion:
Art is all around us and art can be incorporated with other subjects if you teach your child homeschool, you can easily incorporate our activities for youth on a daily basis.
Art doesn't need to be stressful, just expose your kids to a variety of different art materials, art techniques, and artists from history.
Give your child a sketchbook, and letting their imagination create creativity is a great form of self expression for your children.
Related Articles:
100 Art Projects for High School
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