These interactive and playful collaborative art projects for preschoolers engage children in quick activities that build their people skills.

They’ll be cooperating and playing alongside each other and naturally building their people skills, and practicing cooperation. Simple, process art is highly effective for preschoolers. Check out these three collaborative art ideas that your preschoolers will love!

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – ‘Mia’s Rose’

This pink, blue and white process art abstract collaborative project was created socially by a preschooler and her mum (me and my daughter!) using brushwork, stamping with balloons, sponges, objects, stencilling, scraping, collage, marble painting and gravity. We used a limited colour scheme. As you can see, only one colour was used per session. The sessions were only as long as she needed. She was about 18 months when we started it. It hangs on her wall, and is actually about door-sized, so a big surface to play with.

Reflection:

This was a fun project, I encourage you to do it too. All my kids have one (and they change over time). We got large printed canvases from a budget shop, and simply painted over them. We added a cat stencil to them all which represent our pet cat. See if you can spot her.

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – Our Playgroup People Painting

This large canvas artwork was created with more than 30 layers of process art techniques. These were done weekly with around 20 preschoolers, their parents, and carers. Paints, collage, stickers, chalk, gems, nail polish, paint pens and more can be seen. Preschoolers build skills easily by repetition and observation of each other. Artists learn by copying. Modelling techniques works great. Simply say “Do this” and show, then hand it over and encourage ANY try with “Wow, you did it!”

Reflection:

Parents often don’t want endless bits of paper with art on them. Our playgroup was in a shared space, making it ineffective to leave paper around drying. So instead, I pulled out a large canvas each week. I offered a technique to play around with one colour. This is the result!

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – Another Playgroup People Painting

This Playgroup People Painting was created with many layers of process art techniques. These techniques were done weekly with around 20 preschoolers, their parents and carers. Paints, collage, stickers, gems, nail polish, stencils and more can be seen. Periodically, I’d add some circles and spirals for structure. This gives the kids something to paint around and inside. It’s something simple for them to interact with. An odd number, 3 – 5 works well.

Reflection:

We used a random colour each week. We explored a process art technique as needed. This helped engage the kids that were there. For example, one toddler ran a toy car through paint all over the artwork. This got him engaged and excited to do the activity. It’s all about the process. Next week, they will do something else. Glimpses show through and build up the visual sophistication! I have also used a big box for this type of collaborative art. We pulled it out each week. We played on it and then put it away. At the end of the year, someone in the school took it for a show. It was never seen again. So after that, I created canvases that can be hung on the wall.

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – Conclusion:

Creating collaborative art for preschoolers is simple. Use a large canvas and add layers of process art techniques. This ensures there is plenty of space to play. Building confidence and bravery to experiment and play is important. Cooperating with others on a singular artwork provides essential skills for preschool learning. Try it!

Discover more tips about how to create collaborative art for preschoolers. Join my Inner Circle email list to get “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. This is my free 7-page step-by-step guide. You can easily paint a unique artwork. Use my three fun stages with a group of people in your life. I love collaborative social art and want to share it with you!

Let’s Chat:

Creating collaborative art for preschoolers generally terrifies people. Some people won’t even try as they are scared of the potential mess. Never fear, the layers will save you. A splodgy area of colour gives the next child an area to draw on. Every mark adds to the whole. Variation is the spice of collaborative art! But add that variation one colour at a time, one technique, medium or process at a time, for ease.

Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.