10 art activities families can do together

Sal Pienschke
Oct 29, 2025
2 min read

Let’s be honest — finding fun, screen-free ways to spend time together as a family can sometimes be a challenge. But here’s the good news: art is one of the easiest (and most rewarding) ways to connect! You don’t need to be an artist or have fancy supplies to make something beautiful together — just a little creativity, some basic materials, and a willingness to get a bit messy.

Here are 10 easy art activities that families of any age or skill level can enjoy:

1. Family Handprint Art

Grab some paint, paper, and a brush — that’s all you need! Everyone dips their hand in a different color and stamps it onto one big sheet. Once it’s dry, write everyone’s names underneath. It’s simple, sweet, and makes a perfect keepsake.

2. Nature Collage

Go on a nature walk and collect leaves, flowers, sticks, or pebbles. Back home, glue your treasures onto cardboard or paper to create a nature collage. It’s a great way to combine outdoor exploration with creative fun.

3. Story Stones

Find smooth stones and paint pictures on them — animals, people, or objects. Then, take turns using the stones to tell a story together. The sillier, the better!

4. Recycled Art Sculptures

Gather up clean recyclables like cereal boxes, bottle caps, and paper towel rolls. Use tape or glue to build anything your imagination comes up with — robots, buildings, or even abstract sculptures.

5. Sidewalk Chalk Murals

Head outside and turn your driveway or sidewalk into an art gallery! Work together to create a big mural, or each take a section to design your own masterpiece.

6. Paper Plate Masks

Cut eye holes in paper plates, then decorate them with markers, yarn, and paper scraps. Once finished, put on a little family “mask parade” or short skit!

7. Family Portrait Swap

Sit in a circle with sketchbooks or paper. Everyone draws the person sitting across from them — no peeking until the end! The results are always funny and full of personality.

8. Salt Painting

Start by drawing with glue on thick paper, then sprinkle salt over the lines. Once it’s dry, use watercolor paint and watch the colors spread beautifully through the salt. It’s magical for kids (and oddly satisfying for adults too).

9. DIY Greeting Cards

Make homemade cards for birthdays, holidays, or just to brighten someone’s day. Decorate with stamps, stickers, or doodles, then mail them to friends or grandparents.

10. Art Show Night

At the end of the week, hang everyone’s artwork around the living room and host a mini “family art show.” Serve snacks, play music, and let each person talk about their favorite creation.

A Final Thought: Family art time isn’t about perfection — it’s about connection. When you create together, you’re not just making art; you’re making memories. So pull out those paints, grab a stack of paper, and let your family’s creativity shine!