Elements of Art Lessons for Kids
The Elements of Art are the building blocks of every artwork: line, shape, form, color, value, texture and space. Once kids can name them, they can talk about any picture and make stronger choices in their own work. Pick an element below, or start with a unit that covers all seven.
Featured Ms Artastic lessons
Ready-to-teach lessons from my shop. Each card shows the grade range listed for that lesson.
Elements of Art Workbook (Primary)Grades 1 to 4An Elements of Art workbook for primary and elementary students.See the lesson
Elements of Art Workbook (Upper Grades)Grades 5 to 8See the lesson
Elements of Art BookletGrades 3 to 6A low-prep booklet introducing all 7 Elements of Art.See the lesson
Elements of Art: Line UnitGrades 6 to 910 Elements of Art lessons all about line.See the lesson
Elements of Art: Shape and Form UnitGrades 6 to 910 shape and form lessons and 11 student handouts covering 2D shape and 3D form.See the lesson
Elements of Art: Color UnitGrades 5 to 810 color lessons and 14 worksheets and drawing activities on color theory.See the lesson
Elements of Art: Value UnitGrades 6 to 910 sequential value drawing lessons plus printable shading worksheets.See the lesson
Elements of Art: Texture UnitGrades 6 to 910 lessons, worksheets and activities exploring real and implied texture.See the lesson
Elements of Art: Space UnitGrades 6 to 910 sequential lessons with positive and negative space worksheets and perspective prompts.See the lessonFree blog lessons and ideas
Teaching the Elements of Art Without the OverwhelmRead the post
10 Element of Art Line Lessons | Line Art Projects for ElementaryRead the post
10 Color Wheel Art Lessons for Kids | Element of Art Color ProjectsRead the post
Exploring the Elements of Art Through Cross-Curricular ThemesRead the post
The 7 Elements of Art and How-to Teach themRead the post
How to Teach the Elements of ArtRead the post
Exploring the Elements of Art with Kids at HomeRead the post
3 Elements of Art Choice-Based Art Ideas, Lessons, or Activities for your Classroom and a FREE Printable Choice BoardRead the postFree tools
Videos to watch together
Supplies and picture books
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Questions teachers and parents ask
What are the 7 Elements of Art?
Line, shape, form, color, value, texture and space. They are the basic parts artists use to build any artwork.
What order should I teach the Elements of Art in?
There is no single correct order. Many teachers start with line, because every drawing begins with lines, then move to shape and color and build up to value, form and space.
How are the Elements of Art different from the Principles of Design?
The elements are the ingredients. The principles, such as balance, contrast and emphasis, describe how artists arrange those ingredients.
Can young kids learn the Elements of Art?
Yes. Kindergarten artists can find lines, shapes and colors in a picture book. Older students go deeper with color theory, shading and perspective.
Elements of Art video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
More art lessons to explore
The seven elements
