MULTICULTURAL ART FOR KIDS
Note: Grade levels are given as a guideline only. Lessons are always adaptable.
Get ready to discover art from around the world! Here you will find traditional folk art techniques from Africa, South America, North America, Australia (and more). Your students and children can make cool multicultural creations as they learn more about the world around them.
BOX OF CRAYONS K-5
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., create a classroom box of crayons to celebrate our differences and discover our similarities. [read more
COFFEE CAN DRUM K-5
Drums are an important part of life and ceremony in many cultures.
Here students can create drums using recycled aluminum cans. [read more
HANDPRINT RAINBOW PreK-Gr2
Children will see that every hand print is different as they work together on a cooperative art project. From: Amie Lording. [read more
MASKS: PAPIER MACHE K and up
These colorful, razzle dazzle masks are simply magical! [read more
MASKS: COLORFUL PAPER MASKS K and up
Using paper and scissors and objects you find, you can make masks of all colors and kinds. [read more
MASKS: PLAIN PAPER MASKS PreK-Gr8
This is a quick and easy way for your students to make masks.
SOLE PEOPLE K-8
Students will learn about the African American inventor Jan Earnst Matzeliger. From Debi London.
KENTE CLOTH STRIPS Gr 3-5
Students will learn the history of Ghanaian Kente Cloths as they practice using geometric shapes to design their own Kente Cloth strips. From Amy Shapley.
STICKER SHAKERE PreK - Gr. 8
A shakere is a beautiful musical instrument made from a dried gourd that is shaken, tossed or moved from hand to hand creating wonderful rhythms and songs.
Find out how to make one using a recycled milk carton. From: Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou. [read more
(Section: Cross Curriculum/Music)
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
DIDGERIDOOS K and up
A didgeridoo is a long wooden trumpet-like instrument used by the Aboriginal peoples of Australia. [read more
KORU ART K-12
Children will become familiar with the Maori Koru designs as they create colorful works of art using chalk pastels. From Kim Lannon.
CHINESE DRAGON K-8
Ilona Lelli has what it takes to create a Chinese dragon. You and your kinderartists will enjoy this multicultural lesson. [read more
JAPANESE FANS K-8
Learn about Japanese culture with this lesson from Karen West. [read more
JAPANESE ABSTRACT WIND SOCK K-8
Learn how to create a windsock with a paper bag and some magic markers. From C. Schilling.
DAY OF THE DEAD SKULL MASK Gr 3-8
A popular subject for both Halloween and Mexico's Day of the Dead, is the skeleton. Students can create a day of the dead skull mask using paint, glue, glitter, puffy paint and more! From Anitra Redlefsen. [read more
MEXICAN METAL TOOLING Gr 3-8
With this lesson from Margaret Morales, students will express ideas about Mexico using metal tooling techniques and the elements of art and principles of design.
MESOAMERICAN CODEX BOOKS Gr 3-8
Here, students will learn about Ancient Mesoamericans as they create a wonderful piece of historical art. Art Educator Amy Shapley walks you and your kinderartists through the steps.
PAPER BAG OR FABRIC PONCHO K-5
This craft is perfect for a Cinco de Mayo festival.
>>MORE Cinco de Mayo Ideas
YARN PAINTING (OFRENDAS) K-12
The Huichol Indians of Mexico are known for their yarn paintings.
Here, learn how to make your own. [read more
DRUM Gr 3-12
Make a dumbek with materials from your garden shed.
OCEAN DRUM Gr 3-8
An ocean drum is filled with small round objects that, when tilted back and forth, sound remarkably like the waves at the seashore. Find out how to make an ocean drum here. From: Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou. [read more
(Section: Cross Curriculum/Music)
Kids can make this dream catcher with plenty of different colors to give it a fabulous rainbow feel. From Amanda Formaro. [read more
(Section: Summer Camp Crafts)
INUIT CARVING Gr 3-12
This is a wonderful 3-dimensional art lesson plan (in clay) from Pat Higgins. [read more
NORVAL MORRISSEAU - OJIBWA PAINTER Gr 3-12
A medicine man or shaman, Morrisseau developed a style which has since evolved and been used by many Native artists. Here, students will try their hands at X-Ray painting. [read more
MINI TOTEMS Gr 3-8
Totem poles are tall, carved posts that were created by important people among certain tribes of British Columbia and Alaska. Students can create their own mini totems to celebrate the culture of the Northwest Coast people. [read more
SAND PAINTING K-12
Navajo Natives created sand paintings as a way of chasing away evil spirits. Students can create their own sand paintings by following this lesson plan. [read more
STAINED GLASS DESIGNS - Totem Poles (Drawing with Glue) Gr. 3-8
Using white glue for lead and chalk pastel for glass, you can create wonderful stained glass designs. For this particular lesson, personal totems were the theme. From KinderArt.[read more
Legend has it that the Chilean Indians invented the rainstick to make rainy weather. You can make a rainstick using materials you can find around the house. [read more
You Might Be Interested In:
The Kids' Multicultural Art Book
by Alexandra M. Terzian
An exciting hands-on feast of multicultural art and craft experiences. Includes background information and instructions for more than 100 craft projects from African, Native American, Eskimo, Asian, and Hispanic cultures.
Crafts of Many Cultures
by Aurelia Gomez
This complete, step-by-step illustrated guide offers teachers 30 easy-to-do art projects using readily available materials. The project, from around the world, comes complete with cultural background information and extension activities.