Homeschool Art Made Easy: 9 Low-Stress Ways to Get Started

Art does not need to be complicated. And it certainly does not need to be boring. Do you find yourself feeling either paralyzed when it comes to incorporating art into your homeschool or doubting that what you are doing is even considered “real” art? I promise you, art is not supposed to be complicated. It is supposed to be enjoyable. So let’s not make it more complicated than it needs to be. Leave the “shoulds” behind and relax into art exploration. Here are nine ways you can easily explore art in your homeschool.

Yes, this is art. Your child is learning from artists who are teaching real techniques in a way that is accessible. It is okay that it is not Michelangelo or Monet. Embrace modern-day masters. They break down drawing into basic shapes, add details, explore color mixing, and show how small changes can create different expressions. These are foundational skills. We love Art for Kids Hub and Andrea Nelson Art for free tutorials on YouTube.

Mix up your art study with the Masterpiece Makers podcast that not only shares interesting information about famous artists, but also walks your child through evaluating a piece of art. They are learning how to observe, how to notice details, and how to think about what they are seeing. This is how you begin to train the eye to understand art, not just look at it. 

I created a Free Art Fridays series on my Substack for everyone to have access to. Explore printmaking, land art, fiber arts, stained glass, and more. Each article walks you through what the medium is, four artists to explore, four picture books to read, and a guided activity to try the technique yourself. It is a simple way to explore new forms of art without overthinking it.

Did you know that for centuries crafting was not considered art? Why? Because women were doing it at home using fiber. It was not seen as “high art.” Let’s leave those outdated ideas behind and fully embrace that crafting is art. Grab some yarn, needles, thread, or fabric and create. Working with your hands teaches patience, pattern, and design in a way that matters.

Follow your favorite artists or discover new ones on social media. Watch how they create. Notice the steps they take and the techniques they use. Share their work with your kids and talk about what stands out. You can also follow art education accounts like @josielewisart and watch a video together during your morning basket. Follow the rabbit trails when something sparks interest.

Visit a small local gallery or a larger museum to explore a wide variety of art in one place. Museums can feel overwhelming, so go in with a simple plan. Find a few pieces or artists you are interested in and focus on those. You do not need to see everything. Take your time, grab lunch, explore the gift shop, and leave before everyone is exhausted. You can also make it fun with this scavenger hunt I created for art museums! Offer a simple reward like choosing something from the gift shop or stopping for ice cream on the way home for completing the scavenger hunt.

Did you know that fonts and text are an art form called typography? This is a great option for kids who are not drawn to traditional art. Look through books and notice the fonts. Explore novels in verse that play with how text is arranged on the page. Pay attention to billboards, magazines, and logos. Then open a word processor or Canva and let your child experiment with fonts, spacing, size, and alignment. They can even design their own font.

Taste, texture, color, and temperature. Cooking is art. Watch cooking competition shows and notice how chefs create and present their food. What choices are they making? What are they paying attention to? We recently watched Next Gen Chefs and loved it. Then bring your kids into the kitchen. Let them experiment with ingredients, play with color, or plate their food in a thoughtful way. Let them explore how flavors work together. Create art on your plates and enjoy!

When you simplify art, you start to notice it everywhere. In the lines of a well-written book, in a thoughtfully designed space, in the craftsmanship of a brick walkway, in murals on buildings. Keep your eyes open. Open your mind to what art can be, and most of all, enjoy it.

At Bookish Adventure, I believe art is something that can be naturally woven into your homeschool, not added as another thing to manage. Inside my guides, I include simple ways to explore art that connect directly to your read-aloud so your child can experience creativity alongside the stories you are already sharing together.

Check out my guides here or check out some of my best selling guides below!