Hi, I’m Kathleen!
Art lessons that make kids think like artists
Step-by-step art projects, seasonal ideas, artist studies and teaching strategies for busy teachers and homeschool families, from Kathleen McGiveron, the artist and educator behind Ms Artastic.
Popular in November: Thanksgiving Autumn Famous artists Free printables
Pre-K to
Grade 8
As featured on
Psst! I’m giving away two of my favorite lesson packs this month. Come enter, it only takes a minute.
Everything in one place
What you’ll find at Ms Artastic
Free for teachers & homeschoolers
120 Sketchbook Prompt Task Cards
No more “I don’t know what to draw.” Printable prompt cards for warm ups, early finishers and sub plans. Pop in your email and they’re yours, free.
In season now
Thanksgiving & autumn art, ready for November
Turkeys, harvest, gratitude and Remembrance Day projects, plus quick activities for bell ringers, fast finishers and sub plans.
Browse by topic
Find your next art lesson
Every card opens a category on the blog, so you can scroll lesson ideas the way you’d scroll a Pinterest board.
More topics: Explore Artists Choice-Based Learning Art Activity Ideas Art Lessons for Kids Principles of Design Podcast Show Notes
Your art teaching hub
A quick tip and a quick lesson, every visit
Test every new material yourself before teaching with it. Ten minutes of play shows you the tricky parts kids will run into.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
▶ Featured art video
Need a quick lesson or a bit of art inspiration? Watch this.
Preschool Letter F Arts & Crafts Activities for Preschoolers & Toddlers
🎂 This week in art history
Hilma af Klint
Born October 26, 1862
Swedish painter of large, colourful abstract works.
Find a matching lesson →Roy Lichtenstein
Born October 27, 1923
American Pop artist known for comic-book style paintings with dots.
Find a matching lesson →📚 Art word of the day
Line
A mark that moves from one point to another. Lines can be straight, curved, zigzag, thick or thin.
🏆 October art challenge
Draw an autumn leaf, pumpkin or something spooky using shading from light to dark.
Make it, snap a photo and share it with #ArtasticChallenge. Classroom, homeschool and grown-up artists all welcome.
Follow along on Instagram →🔎 Find a lesson in seconds
Pick a grade and a season
Lessons, free videos and blog ideas, all in one place.
✨ New free planning tool
Plan your art lessons in minutes
Tell me who you are, your grade and what you need. The planner pulls together lessons, free videos, teaching tips and supplies into a plan you can print, save or email.
- 🗓️Plan a lesson or unit, week by week
- 🛟Solve a classroom problem
- 💡Brainstorm fresh ideas
- ✨Get quick inspiration
For parents, homeschoolers, classroom teachers and art teachers.
Free for teachers, families & kids
Free art tools for every day
A new drawing prompt every morning, plus interactive tools to plan lessons, mix colors, explore art history, discover art careers and bring art into your homeschool.
120 Free Sketchbook Prompt Task CardsMy books are here!
A coloring book with a page for every season and holiday, and a book of 31 easy art projects kids can finish on their own. Every page is hand-drawn by me and classroom tested.
Visit my bookshelf →
Start here
Not sure where to begin? Pick your path
New to teaching art?
Start here for simple, confidence-building ideas.
Homeschool parent?
Easy ways to make art part of your week.
- Why Teaching Art to Kids is Important: Benefits of Art Education
- The Importance of Play in Teaching Art to Kids: Creating a Fun and Engaging Learning Environment
- How to Keep Kids Drawing Over Summer Break
- Winter Art Lessons for Kids | Free YouTube Art Tutorials for Home & Classroom
- Free Art Lessons for Teachers and Homeschool Families in One Easy Library
Art teacher?
Ideas, reflection and support for your art room.
- Exploring Art History: How to Teach Children About Famous Artists and Their Work
- Teaching Art to Kids with Disabilities: Adapting Techniques and Materials to Meet Unique Needs
- End of Year Art Teacher Reflection: Celebrate Creativity and Plan for Next Year
- How to Prepare for an Art Teacher Job Interview With Confidence
- Unlock Your Full Potential as an Art Teacher: Join the FREE Art Teacher Mastermind Group!
Free for teachers & homeschoolers
The Free Art Lesson Library, plus a community of art teachers
Get instant access to free art lessons, printable activities and seasonal projects, and join the Art Teacher Mastermind Community to swap ideas and ask questions.
- Free art lessons for kids
- Seasonal & holiday projects
- Printable classroom activities
- Pre-K to Grade 8 scope & sequence support
- Sub plan & fast finisher ideas
- New resources added over time
No cost to join. Hosted on Artastic Collective.
it’s
free!
Free community
Join the Teaching Art Mastermind
A free online community for classroom teachers and homeschoolers who teach art. Share student work, swap ideas, ask questions and join a new art challenge every month.
- 2,100+ teachers & homeschoolers
- A new challenge every month
- Free to join
Hosted by Kathleen on Artastic Collective.
Free on YouTube
Free drawing lessons & art tutorials for kids
Press play for step-by-step art lessons kids can follow at school or at home. Subscribe so you never miss a new tutorial.
- Step-by-step drawing
- Painting & mixed media
- Seasonal projects
- Great for sub days
Fresh on the blog
Latest posts
-
Toddlers Exploring Art: The Best Art Gifts for Toddlers, Ages 1 to 3
Art gifts for toddlers ages 1 to 3: chunky crayons, washable paints, easels, smocks, mess-free art and board books about color, with age labels noted.
-
Gifts for Kids Who Love Art: 50 Creative Ideas from Stocking Stuffers to Splurges
Gifts for kids who love art, ages 4 to 12: drawing books, craft and clay kits, art games and studio setups, from stocking stuffers to big splurges.
-
Art Supplies Gift Guide: 50 Quality Art Supplies for Kids, Teens and Adults
An art supplies gift guide with 50 quality picks for kids, teens, adults and homeschool families, sorted by medium and budget, stocking stuffers to splurges.
-
The Best Gifts for Art Teachers: 50 Thoughtful Ideas from Stocking Stuffers to Splurges
Looking for gifts for art teachers? Here are 50 thoughtful ideas from stocking stuffers to splurges: classroom helpers, studio tools, cozy picks and good books.
-
Displaying Student Art: Simple Bulletin Board and Hallway Ideas
simple ways to display student art, from bulletin board rotations and artist labels to hallway mini galleries and digital portfolios.
-
Planning Winter Art: A December to February Game Plan
a calm, inclusive winter art plan for December to February, with themes, pacing around breaks, and ideas for every celebration day.
-
Organizing Art Supplies on a Tight Budget
how to organize art supplies on a tight budget: what’s worth buying, pastel and watercolor basics, storage, donations, supply care.
-
Teaching Art to Mixed Ages: Homeschool Siblings and Split Classes
how to teach one art theme at three levels for homeschool siblings and split classes, with scaffolding, independence and supply tips.
-
How to Talk to Kids About Their Art (So They Keep Making It)
how to talk with kids about their art using descriptive feedback, real art vocabulary, gallery walks and honest self-reflection.
-
Art Sub Plans That Actually Work: A Survival Guide for Art Teachers
how to build art sub plans that work: what to include, low-mess options, an emergency folder, drawing prompts and craft ideas.
-
Art Room Clean-Up Routines That Give You Your Time Back
art room clean-up routines that save time: timers, student jobs, music cues, paint and water systems and a simple end-of-day reset.
-
What to Do When Students Finish Early in Art Class
calm, useful early finisher ideas for art class: sketchbook prompts, challenge cards, drawing games, reflection and helper roles.
-
Fifteen-Minute Art Lessons for Busy Days
fifteen-minute art lessons for busy days, from directed drawings and line challenges to quick watercolor and sketchbook moments.
-
Mixed Media Autumn Leaves Art Lesson for Kids: A Step-by-Step Fall Art Project
A step-by-step mixed media autumn leaves art lesson for grades 2 to 5: handmade leaf paper, a swirling painted sky and oil pastel details, with teaching tips, grade…
-
How to Plan a Full Year of Art Lessons Without Losing Your Weekends
a calm way to plan a full year of art lessons: scope and sequence, seasons, elements of art first, batched prep and monthly maps.
-
Art History Lessons for Kids: Artist-Inspired Art Projects from Cave Art to Pop Art
Art history lesson ideas for kids, from prehistoric cave art and ancient Egypt to Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Japanese art and Pop Art, with teaching tips, grade-by-grade ideas…
-
10 Element of Art Line Lessons | Line Art Projects for Elementary
Discover 10 Element of Art line lessons for Pre-K through Grade 5, including types of lines, line animals, dragon eye art, line landscapes, Zentangle-inspired art, seasonal line projects,…
-
10 Color Wheel Art Lessons for Kids | Element of Art Color Projects
Discover 10 Element of Art color lessons and color wheel art projects for Pre-K through upper elementary, including primary colors, color mixing, monochromatic art, warm and cool colors,…
-
10 Art History Art Lessons for Elementary | Famous Artist Art Projects
Discover 10 art history art lessons for elementary students featuring Yayoi Kusama, Wayne Thiebaud, Picasso, Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keeffe, Keith Haring, Van Gogh, Ancient Greece, Chinese dynasty vases,…
-
10 Name Art Lessons for Kids | Back to School Name Art Projects
Discover 10 creative name art lessons for Pre-K through middle school, including graffiti lettering, bubble letters, symmetry, fine motor art, clay, line art, perspective, and back-to-school art projects.
-
10 Thanksgiving Art Activities | Drawing, Writing, Fast Finishers & Sub Plans
Discover 10 Thanksgiving art activities for elementary students, including directed drawing, writing, grid drawing, turkey crafts, art booklets, coloring activities, homeschool ideas, fast finishers, and Thanksgiving sub plans.
-
10 Halloween Art Activities | Bell Ringers, Fast Finishers & Sub Plans
Discover 10 Halloween art activities for the classroom or homeschool, including directed drawing, writing, grid drawing, Roll and Draw games, fast finishers, bell ringers, art centers, and easy…
-
10 Autumn Art Activities for the Classroom, Homeschool, Bell Ringers, Fast Finishers & Sub Plans
Discover 10 autumn art activities perfect for classrooms, homeschool, bell ringers, fast finishers, art centers, and sub plans, including drawing prompts, grid drawings, directed drawing, writing activities, and…
-
10 Thanksgiving Art Lesson Ideas for Kids | Turkey Art Projects for Elementary
Discover 10 Thanksgiving art lesson ideas for elementary students, including turkey art projects, paper weaving, Zen doodles, mixed media, gratitude art, cornucopias, and harvest art activities.
-
10 Halloween Art Lesson Ideas for Your Classroom | Halloween Art Projects for Kids
Discover 10 creative Halloween art lesson ideas for elementary and middle school students, including ghosts, jack-o’-lanterns, skeletons, charcoal, paper weaving, mixed media, and Halloween art and writing projects.
-
10 Autumn Art Lesson Ideas for Your Classroom | Fall Art Projects for Kids
Discover 10 creative autumn art lesson ideas for elementary and middle school students, including pumpkins, woodland animals, famous artists, line art, mixed media, and fall forest projects.
-
Color Wheel Art Lesson for 4th Grade | Color Wheel Wolf Art Project
Teach 4th grade students about the element of art color with this Color Wheel Wolf art lesson. Students explore primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, warm and cool colors,…
-
Line Art Lesson for 4th Grade | Types of Lines Lion Art Project
Teach 4th grade students about the element of art line with this bold Line Lions art lesson. Students explore types of lines, pattern, texture, movement, emphasis, and creative…
-
Color Wheel Art Lesson for Grade 3 | Color Wheel Fish Art Project
Teach Grade 3 students about the color wheel, primary colors, secondary colors, warm and cool colors, contrast, and emphasis with this engaging Color Wheel Fish Art Lesson.
-
Line Art Lesson for 3rd Grade | Types of Lines Leopard Art Project
Teach Grade 1 students about the color wheel, primary colors, and secondary colors with this engaging Color Wheel Flower Art Lesson. Includes a video tutorial, color mixing, flower…
Meet Ms Artastic
Hi, I’m Kathleen McGiveron
I’m the artist and educator behind Ms Artastic. My teaching experience spans secondary education, K–7 and Grade 4/5, and I create art lessons and resources for teachers, homeschool educators and the children they teach.
I believe art is real learning: observing, imagining, making choices and building skills, with room for every student’s work to look different.
