Looking for a creative way to introduce your preschoolers to the world of art? This week-long lesson plan is packed with hands-on activities, engaging books, and playful learning ideas to teach 3-5-year-olds about famous artists.
From Vincent van Gogh’s swirling skies to Frida Kahlo’s colorful self-portraits, your little ones will explore art history through sensory fun and imagination. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, this guide makes art accessible and exciting—no fancy supplies needed! Let’s dive into this preschool art adventure.
Why Teach Preschoolers About Famous Artists?
Art isn’t just for grown-ups! Introducing famous artists to preschoolers sparks creativity, builds fine motor skills, and helps them notice colors, shapes, and textures in the world around them.
Plus, it’s a blast to see their take on masterpieces. This lesson plan spans five days (30-45 minutes each), but you can squeeze it into one day or stretch it out—whatever works for your little artists.
Day 1: Vincent van Gogh – Swirly Starry Skies
Focus: Bright colors and swirling patterns
Book: Vincent’s Colors by The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Get ready to swirl into Van Gogh’s world! This book pairs his paintings with simple words, perfect for tiny art lovers.
Related Read: Easy Van Gogh Art Activity for Kids
Activity: Starry Night Swirls
- What You Need: Blue paper, yellow paint, white crayons
- How To: Let kids draw swirly lines with crayons, then finger-paint stars with yellow. Add a drop of vanilla extract to the paint for a sensory twist—think sunny fields!
- Talk About: Show a print of The Starry Night and ask, “What do you see in the sky?”
- Bonus Fun: Sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” while they paint.
Van Gogh loved nature, and this preschool art activity brings his energy to life with messy, colorful fun.
Day 2: Pablo Picasso – Funny Faces
Focus: Shapes and silly expressions
Book: Picasso’s Trousers by Nicholas Allan
This quirky tale shows Picasso’s playful side—ideal for giggles and creativity.
Activity: Cubist Collage Faces
- What You Need: Pre-cut shapes (triangles, circles), glue sticks, paper
- How To: Kids glue shapes into “mixed-up” faces, Picasso-style. Pair it with a mirror game—make silly faces and draw them with crayons!
- Talk About: Share a simple Picasso portrait (like Weeping Woman) and ask, “Where’s the nose?”
- Snack Idea: Arrange fruit slices into a “Picasso face” on their plates.
This hands-on project is a preschool favorite, blending art and laughter.
Day 3: Georgia O’Keeffe – Big Flowers
Focus: Size and nature
Book: My Name Is Georgia by Jeanette Winter
A sweet story about O’Keeffe’s love for flowers—perfect for nature-loving kids.
Activity: Giant Flower Painting
- What You Need: Butcher paper, watercolor paints
- How To: Kids paint huge flowers with brushes or hands, making petals “bigger than their heads!” Take them outside for a nature hunt—spot real flowers and compare colors.
- Talk About: Show an O’Keeffe flower painting and explain how she zoomed in on small things.
- Craft Add-On: Scrunch tissue paper into flowers and glue them onto pipe cleaner stems.
This activity celebrates scale and nature, inspiring little artists to think big.
Day 4: Jackson Pollock – Splash and Drip
Focus: Movement and messiness
Book: Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
A lively peek at Pollock’s energetic style—get ready to move!
Activity: Drip Art
- What You Need: Tarp or big paper, watered-down paint, brushes or squeeze bottles
- How To: Set up outside (or in a messy zone) and let kids drip and splash paint. Play upbeat music for a “dance and paint” vibe.
- Talk About: Show a Pollock print and ask, “Does this look like dancing colors?”
- Clean-Up Tip: Make wiping hands a game—count the colors they find!
This preschool art activity is all about action and freedom—no brushes required!
Day 5: Frida Kahlo – Self-Portraits and Animals
Focus: Identity and imagination
Book: Frida by Jonah Winter
A vibrant intro to Kahlo’s life, full of color and personality.
Activity: Mirror Self-Portraits
- What You Need: Small mirrors, paper, crayons or markers
- How To: Kids draw themselves with bright colors, adding flowers or animals like Frida. Then, use play dough to sculpt her pets—monkeys, birds, or cats!
- Talk About: Show a Kahlo self-portrait and ask, “What would you put in your picture?”
- Dress-Up Fun: Offer flower headbands or scarves for a mini Frida fashion show.
This day celebrates self-expression, a core theme in Kahlo’s work.
Tips for Success
- Keep It Simple: Use washable paint, crayons, paper, glue, and playdough—nothing fancy!
- Short & Sweet: Break activities into 10-15 minute chunks with a story or song between for wiggly preschoolers.
- Show Off: Create a classroom “Art Gallery” with their masterpieces, labeled with their names and the artist they explored.
- Wrap It Up: End each day with a quick “What did we make today?” chat to reinforce the fun.
Why This Works for Preschoolers
This lesson plan turns famous artists into a preschool-friendly adventure. Kids get messy, tell stories, and play—all while learning about Van Gogh, Picasso, O’Keeffe, Pollock, and Kahlo. It’s less about art history facts and more about inspiring creativity through color, movement, and imagination.
Ready to try it? Grab some paint and let your little artists shine! Have a favorite artist or activity tweak? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas.