6 Back-to-School Art Activities

Is your student having trouble getting back to the school day routine? As summer winds down and we prepare for fall, you can create excitement for the back-to-school season through art!

Art projects aren't just a fun break in your student’s day. They boost imagination, enhance fine motor skills, and build confidence. With these back-to-school art projects, you’ll help your student get ready for the academic year ahead.

1. Name Art Masterpieces

The Idea: Your child will create a personalized name banner to hang in your homeschool space.

The Activity: Let your kid’s imagination run wild with different fonts, colors, and textures. Tell them to use any medium they like – paint, markers, collage materials, or even 3D elements – to create unique name art that reflects their personality and their dreams for the coming school year.

The Gallery: Hang your student’s name art masterpiece in their classroom space.

The Art Talk: When they’ve completed their piece, explore these questions with your child.

• Why did you choose these colors?
• How did you decide what to use to create your name?
• What are you most excited about this school year?

2. Self-Portrait Exploration

The Idea: Before the school year begins, encourage self-expression and observation with a self-portrait.

The Activity: Start by talking with your child about other artists who dabbled in self-portraiture. Help them choose a photo of themselves that they’d like to recreate in their art project. Provide a variety of materials like crayons, watercolors, oil pastels, or even clay. If your child would rather not use a photo, you can set up a mirror in their art space. They can experiment with different angles and expressions to capture their individuality in their art.

The Gallery: Display this art piece with your family’s photos, perhaps on a gallery wall.

The Art Talk: Your child created a very personal portrait. Connect with your child by talking about their choices of subject and material.

• Can you tell me about this piece?
• Why did you choose to show yourself this way?
• Did you like creating this piece of art?

At the end of the school year, have your child create another self-portrait. They can compare and contrast the two, reflecting on their year and artistic growth.

3. Apple Stamping

The Idea: Apples are a classic symbol of back-to-school season and a versatile art subject.

The Activity: Cut real apples in half in both directions. Your student can use them as stamps to create patterns, alternating the “star” side and the crosswise side. You will need kid-safe paint, paper plates as paint palettes, and large pieces of paper.

The Gallery: Hang this piece near where your child has their snack time.

The Art Talk: Ask your child to talk more about the patterns they created.

• Which shape did you like best?
• Did you mix any colors? How did you mix them?
• Are there other objects you could use as stamps?

4. Create an Art Studio

Work together to make a special place for art in your homeschool area. Involve your kids in creating an art center by organizing supplies, setting up easels or workspaces, and decorating the area with their artwork. It doesn’t have to be an extra room, but rather a dedicated space to inspire creativity and make art readily accessible throughout the year. If it’s a space they love, you might even find your kids in their art studio on their own time!

5. Sketchbook Design

The Idea: Give your kids blank sketchbooks and let them personalize the covers.

The Activity: They can use paint, markers, stickers, collage materials, or whatever inspires them to design unique covers for their new sketchbook for the year. You’re helping them create a sense of ownership over their art and setting the tone for a year of artistic journaling, exploration, and expression.

The Art Talk: Ask your student to tell you about their sketchbook.

• What do you like to draw?
• Would you like to have time to draw and sketch every day?
• Are there any types of art you want to try this year?

6. Get FREE Homeschool Art Curriculum

Want to take your child’s art education a step further? Your student may qualify for free homeschool art curriculum mailed to your door every month. Through Outside the Box Creation, you can order art boxes using your state’s grant funds. Designed by a professional artist, our boxes are filled with high-quality and eco-friendly art supplies, include a detailed project guide with step-by-step instructions, and always contain accompanying books. Get started today!

By integrating these fun and engaging art activities into your back-to-school plans, you'll not only foster creativity but also create lasting memories and a positive start to the homeschool year.

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