Immerse your children in a world of color with Claude Monet art for kids! This process art activity inspired by the master himself lets them paint, glue, and craft their own water lilies. A perfect choice for preschool art and all ages.
Painting Monet’s garden: Claude Monet art for kids
Years ago, I was preparing a Monet-inspired art project for my preschoolers and as I was gathering the watercolors, I was struck with an idea.
What would happen if we added clear glue on top of watercolors?
Would it add texture? Would it ruin the paint? Might it have a scientific reaction?
I remember exactly where I was standing when I tried it out and my, oh, my was I DELIGHTED!
✨ Check out our ultimate collection of the best process art projects for kids!
Why you’ll love Claude Monet art for kids
This famous artist activity is a fantastic way for kids to connect with art history while getting an opportunity to make fridge-worthy process art.
And the final pieces are gorgeous. I mean, really, really gorgeous.
When we displayed our final pieces for the families to see at preschool pickup, the adults were abuzz.
The art is beautiful and all of the families wanted to immediately take them home to display!
🌸 Don’t miss some of our favorite process-art projects for kids:
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Materials
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- Canvas or watercolor paper
- Pan watercolors or liquid watercolors
- Paintbrushes
- Clear school glue – not white school glue
- Green cardstock or construction paper
- Pink tissue paper
- Scissors
How to make Claude Monet art with kids
- Start by painting your canvas or watercolor paper with watercolor paints, making sure to really saturate and use lots of watercolors and water. Use blues, purples, teals, and greens to mimic the look of water.
- While the paint is still wet, drizzle clear school glue over the surface. Watch as the glue lightens the colors, creating a magical effect!
- Cut out water lily shapes from green cardstock or construction paper.
- Glue the water lilies onto your painting.
- Scrunch up small pieces of pink tissue paper to form the flowers and glue them onto the center of the water lilies.
- Let everything dry, and admire your Monet-inspired masterpiece!
Tips and tricks for Claude Monet art for kids
Mix it up: Use different shades of green and blue to create depth in the water. This will make your artwork pop even more!
Go big: Try using a larger canvas or paper for a more dramatic effect. Your little one’s artwork will be a true showstopper.
Experiment: Add some salt to the wet paint before applying the glue for a cool, textured effect. It’s a fun twist on the classic Monet look.
Talk art: While working, chat with your kids about Monet’s love for painting water lilies. It’s a great way to connect art with history.
Claude Monet history for kids
These bite-sized pieces of information are perfect for sharing with your young artists.
It’s always special when kids can create art inspired by the greats and have a little background about the artists who influenced our past and present.
- Claude Monet was a French painter born in 1840.
- He is famous for creating the art style called Impressionism.
- Monet loved painting nature, especially water lilies and gardens.
- He painted over 250 pictures of water lilies!
- Monet’s garden in Giverny, France, inspired many of his paintings.
- He used light and color in unique ways to show how things change over time.
- Monet’s paintings are now in museums all around the world.
- He started painting when he was just a child – just like you!
Displaying your Claude Monet art for kids creation
Your little Monet’s masterpiece deserves a special spot!
Whether you hang the pieces in your home, classroom, or anywhere in between, they’re going to be masterpieces for everyone to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear glue is essential for the color-changing effect. White glue does not work (though I wish it did!).
You can do this with either pan watercolors or liquid watercolors.
Because it’s a process-art project, it’s perfect for preschoolers and up! Some of the youngest artists might need a little help.
I am a stem teacher for prek snd kindergarten
Any thoughts on how this would work on watercolor paper?
It 100% will work on watercolor paper!
LOVE! 🙂