It’s time to get serious about children’s art. For too long now, we’ve left it up to our instincts and impulses, giving little thought to the impacts it’s going to have on our children’s personal and intellectual development…
Just kidding!
Finding art ideas for kids should, in reality, be a fun, low-pressure, entertaining experience. It’s all about freeing your mind and theirs – discovering new styles, experimenting with colours and taking a chance on something different.
If your kids are old enough, get them involved. If they’re still too little, think about what makes them tick. Is it nature? Or technology? Or something more fantastical?
Want to play? Let’s get started.
Nature art
Nurture their love of nature with flora and fauna artworks. Embrace the absurd and inspire wonder, with cubed cats, sensible cats and silly cats. And some beautiful butterflies.
Go for bold primaries, pleasing pastels and brights to light up a bedroom.
1. Cube Animal Farm
BE BOLD: Shun the literal with this ‘Cube Cat/Pig/Elephant’ animal series, great for a nursery or toddler’s room.
2. Cat Tails
COOL CATS: This very sensible ‘Four Cats’ print will delight a child night after night.
3. Pastel Purrs
CROOKED KITTENS: Mix up the genders with this pink and blue ‘Eyes Open’ cat series.
4. Butterfly Dreams
SO SWEET: This ‘Butterfly And Chamomile Clouds’ print will enchant a playroom.
5. Sunshine, Rainbows And Blossoms
FLOWER POWER: Brighten their minds with this ‘Rainbow Meadow’ print from the Fun Gardens collection for kids.
Urban art
21st Century digital girls and boys will both appreciate the awe of big transport (both new and old), the marvel of robots and – for the older child – the ‘street cool’ of graffiti.
When matching artwork to decor, it’s fine to complement colours or contrast them; the key is making sure the colour palette works with the existing interior.
6. Big Jet Planes
FLY AWAY: Entertain the awe with this ‘Bustling Airport’ transport print, a wonderful way to invite travel tales.
7. I, Robot
HAVE A HEART: Bring technology to life with ‘Retro Tin Robot’, a top work of retro art from the Rockets And Robots collection.
8. Rocket Man
ROAR: Enter space every night with this cartoony ‘Lift Off’ print, for future astronauts of all ages.
9. Graffiti Games
WICKED: Watch his face light up when he finds this ‘Brooklyn Daze’ print hanging in his room.
10. Classic Cars
ACE: Mix the old school and the new cool with this very awesome, very hipster ‘Vintage Racing Cars’ print.
Fantasy art
Free their minds with art that will fire their imagination or inspire a story upon story upon story. Whether it’s something magical likes gnomes, elves, fairy gardens and monsters or something aspirational like a photo of kicking a winning goal, find something age appropriate for your child’s special space.
11. Elvish
GET DOWN: Make every day one of play this this magical ‘Dancing Elves’ work of art.
12. Enchanted Tree
FANTASTICAL: Step into new, yet to be discovered worlds with this ‘The Egg And Bird Tree’ garden print.
13. Monsters Meow
PAWTY ON: This purrrfect ‘Three Silly Cats’ print is full of monster magic – fun on the wall rather than scary under the bed.
14. Kicking Goals
SCORED: Regardless of their sporting prowess, a print like ‘Perfect Goal’ is all about supporting kids to think big.
If you need some more inspiration, you can read these great tips on designing your kids room.
