Picasso Art Projects for Preschoolers

Picasso will inspire preschoolers to create his own art.

Pablo Picasso's work can be viewed in galleries around the world. Preschoolers can be introduced to this famous artist and use him as their inspiration to release their own creativity. Always begin by discussing Picasso in an age-appropriate fashion. Talk about his paintings and how they make the children feel, before giving them a project. Remember that Picasso is simply the initial inspiration and that anything the children create is their own important work of art.

Blue Period

Pour out plenty of blue and green shades.

During the despair of Picasso's Blue period, he only used shades of green and blue. Spread out a large piece of paper and ask the children to take off their shoes and socks. Have them step into dishes of blue and green washable paint. As a group, they can walk all over the paper, re-dipping their feet as needed. The end result is a classroom "Blue period" mural.

Rose Period

Use bright colors for the Rose period.

Picasso's Rose period represented happier, more prosperous times. He painted graceful acrobats and circus performers during this stage. Generate a discussion about the circus and explain to the children how bright colors make people feel happy. Use hard-boiled eggs and ask the children to decorate them with paint. Experiment with lots of colors and ribbons to glue on and use for decoration. While they are painting, encourage the children to talk about the things which make them happy.

Cubism Collage

Kids can make a collage with magazine clippings.

Show the children some of Picasso's paintings from his cubism stage and point out that his pictures are made up of different shapes. Give each child a piece of construction paper and an ample pile of magazine pages. They can cut with pinking shears, regular scissors or simply rip pieces from the magazine pages. Provide the children with glue sticks and let them make collage faces, flowers or any chosen object from the magazine pieces.

Picasso Cookies

Let Picasso be their inspiration for decoration.

Introduce the children to Picasso and share some of his famous works with them. Make sugar cookies with the children, cutting them into abstract shapes. Ask them to decorate the cookies as if they were works of art. Provide them with small tubes of icing and glitter and instruct them to think about Picasso as they work on their edible creation.

References

• India-Craft: Famous Picasso Paintings
• Lilith Gallery: Pablo Picasso - The Most Famous Artist of the 20th Century
• Art Library: Pablo Picasso Cookies

Resources

• Lesson Planet: 282 Picasso Art Activities
• National Gallery of Art: Picasso - The Early Years
• iParenting: Preschool Picasso