Art history might sound like a subject reserved for older students or museum trips, but it doesn’t have to be dry, stuffy, or overwhelming. In fact, introducing famous artists to kids can be one of the most exciting ways to bring creativity and context into your homeschool day. When done right, art history encourages curiosity, celebrates self-expression, and offers rich stories that children naturally connect with.

Let’s dive into why art history matters for young learners and how to make it engaging, accessible, and fun with creative lessons built around masters like Monet and Michelangelo.

Why Is Art History Important for Kids?

Incorporating art history into elementary education offers more than just an understanding of art styles; it also fosters a deeper appreciation for the cultural context of art. It encourages kids to explore different cultures, time periods, and ways of thinking. 

Art reflects human history and values, providing children with a unique window into how people lived, felt, and communicated long before the beginning of textbooks and technology.

Art history builds visual literacy, helping students recognize how images can tell stories, express feelings, and convey ideas. It also supports critical thinking by encouraging them to compare different styles, techniques, and purposes.

Most importantly, art history broadens their appreciation of creativity. They see that there isn’t just one way to make art, and that some of the most famous artists broke the rules in exciting ways.

Let’s Explore Famous Artists

Claude Monet

Claude Monet was a French artist and a founding member of the Impressionist movement. Impressionism is all about capturing the feeling or impression of a moment, especially how light and color shift throughout the day. Monet loved painting outdoors, especially in his flower garden in Giverny.

He used short, choppy brushstrokes and layered colors to create his scenes that shimmered and moved. Instead of focusing on tiny details, he painted what he saw and felt in the moment. His series of water lilies, haystacks, and the Rouen Cathedral are all examples of how he explored the same subject in different lighting and seasons. 

Monet’s work is perfect for young children because it shows that you don’t need to paint inside the lines to create something beautiful.

Michelangelo

Michelangelo was an Italian artist from the Renaissance period who excelled in sculpture, painting, and architecture. He’s most famous for his sculptures of David and the Pieta, as well as the Sistine Chapel ceiling in Vatican City. 

What’s especially impressive is that he painted the entire ceiling lying on his back while perched high above the chapel floor—a task that took four years to complete.

Michelangelo believed that every block of marble had a sculpture hidden inside, waiting to be revealed. This idea inspires children to see potential in all kinds of materials and to think deeply about form and structure. His dedication and skill demonstrate that art is a combination of passion and perseverance.

How Can We Make Art Like the Famous Artists?

Learning about artists is just the beginning—kids engage most when they get to try the techniques themselves. Hands-on projects make these lessons memorable and allow children to discover how it feels to work in a similar style.

By using accessible materials and simplified instructions, parents can guide children through fun and approachable art experiences that connect directly to the work of Monet and Michelangelo.

Art Project 1: Water Lily Painting Inspired by Monet

This project brings Monet’s garden to your table. Here’s how to make an impressionist-style water lily pond with soft colors and layers.

Materials:

• Watercolor paper or thick cardstock

• Watercolor paints or diluted food coloring

• Paintbrushes or cotton swabs

• Paper cupcake liners (optional)

• Glue stick or school glue

• White crayon

Instructions:

1. Use the white crayon to draw pond shapes and lily pads on the paper. These will resist the paint.

2. Lightly paint over the crayon with blues and greens to create water. Use gentle, dabbing strokes.

3. Once dry, add cupcake liner pieces or painted circles to represent lily pads and flowers.

4. Layer different shades for depth. Encourage kids to let colors blend naturally.

Prompt: Ask, “How would the pond look at sunset? In the rain?” Let them imagine different moods or times of day.

Art Project 2: Drawing on the Ceiling Like Michelangelo

Kids love hearing about Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel on his back. This activity lets them try it for themselves!

Materials:

• Large sheet of paper or construction paper

• Painter’s tape

• Crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers

• A flat surface like the underside of a table

Instructions:

1. Tape the paper to the underside of a table or desk.

2. Have your child lie on the floor with their head under the paper.

3. Let them draw anything—a sky, a scene, shapes, or even a self-portrait.

Prompt: Say, “Imagine you’re decorating a grand ceiling. What story do you want to tell above people’s heads?”

This helps kids build motor skills and stamina while fostering a deeper appreciation for the accomplishments of Michelangelo.

How Can Outside the Box Creation Help Your Homeschooler Learn Art History?

At Outside the Box Creation, we believe art history isn’t just for older students—it can (and should) be introduced as early as elementary age. Our monthly art curriculum kits include lessons inspired by great artists and historical art movements. We break down big concepts into bite-sized, engaging projects that even the youngest learners can understand.

Each kit includes:

• Professionally developed art lessons tied to real artists and time periods

• Illustrated instructions that guide without overwhelming

• High-quality art supplies

• A carefully chosen children’s book to connect literacy and art

• A certificate for homeschool portfolios

Our approach makes learning about Monet, Michelangelo, and others both accessible and exciting. There’s no need for you to be an expert—just open the box and start exploring together.

The Bottom Line

Introducing famous artists like Monet and Michelangelo doesn’t have to feel intimidating. With simple language, interactive projects, and lots of room for fun, art history becomes an inspiring part of your homeschool journey.

Give your child a creative education that includes the greats—without pressure, prep stress, or perfectionism. Outside the Box Creation makes it easy to add rich, meaningful art experiences into your homeschool week.

Want to learn more about how our kits bring art history to life? Explore our monthly art curriculum kits today.

Sources:

Claude Monet | Biography, Art, Water Lilies, Haystacks, Impression, Sunrise, & Facts | Britannica

Impressionism - Art, Definition & French | HISTORY

Michelangelo | Biography, Sculptures, David, Pieta, Paintings, Facts, & Accomplishments | Britannica

Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel Ceiling - World History Encyclopedia