Artist Pablo Picasso Reproduced for Young Audiences
Dive into the mind-bending world of Pablo Picasso with these super cool Cubist portrait activities for kids! With four fantastic Picasso-inspired art projects to choose from, you'll introduce your little ones to the bold, colorful and unique world of this groundbreaking artist. Let's check them out!
Crazy Cubist Fun!
Picasso's portraits often had facial features in unexpected places, making his artwork zany and expressive. These entertaining Picasso-style activities cater to different age groups, helping kids explore Cubism, facial expressions, and art in a creative method!
🔔 Make sure to include other amazing artists in your art lesson plans too!
Guide for Different Ages
- Preschoolers & Toddlers (Ages 3-5) - Picasso Playdough Face Playmats
- Lower Elementary (Ages 5-8) - Picasso Collage Pack
- Upper Elementary (Ages 8-12) - Picasso Cubist Portrait Painting
- Holiday or All-Year-Round (Ages 5-10) - Picasso Santa Cut-and-Paste Collage (No need for the holiday theme!)
Picasso Art Projects for Kids
Each activity uses simple items such as glue sticks, scissors, oil pastels, and paper to bring Picasso's playful and abstract art to life!
Picasso Faces Cubist Portrait Painting (Ages 8-12)
Design a vibrant and colorful Cubist face inspired by Picasso's abstract style! Kids will use oil pastels, liquid watercolors, and black oil pastel outlines to create bold, geometric Picasso faces with multiple layers and different self-portraits.
🔔 Looking for more interesting drawing ideas? Check out our excellent self-portrait ideas for kids.
Materials Required:
✔️ Thick canvas or paper✔️ Oil pastels or liquid watercolors✔️ Black oil pastel for outlining✔️ Pencil for sketching the face✔️ Images for reference
🔔 Note: Your "canvas" could be anything including paper, a cereal box, or a foam core board. Use whatever materials you have available.
How to Create a Picasso Face:
Draw the Head - Use basic geometric shapes like circles, ovals, and rectangles.
Add Facial Features - Position the eyes, lips, chin, and forehead in weird places for a unique look.
Outline in Black - Make striking lines to define the features.
Fill with Color - Use oil pastels or liquid watercolors to add brilliant colors.
Display & Discuss - Compare different Picasso portraits and chat about how different angles and emotions are shown.
Picasso Faces Collage Pack (Ages 5-8)
This cut-and-paste Picasso face activity is fantastic for young children learning about Cubism! Kids will mix and match facial parts to create funny faces and learn about how Picasso utilized cutting-edge ideas to create art.
Materials Needed:
✔️ Picasso Face Templates (Download them here!)✔️ Colored paper✔️ Glue sticks & scissors✔️ Markers or crayons
How to Create a Picasso Face Collage:
- Print the Picasso Face Templates - Choose various versions of Cubist face designs.
- Cut Out Facial Features - Experiment with placing eyes, lips, noses, and foreheads in unique spots.
- Layer & Glue - Make layers of different facial features to create a Cubist face.
- Add Color & Details - Use buttons, paper scraps, and crayons to decorate!
- Discuss - Talk about Picasso's Cubism and how this technique shows different sides of the person in a single picture.
Picasso Faces Playdough Mats (Ages 3-5)
Superb for toddlers and preschoolers, these Picasso playdough mats inspire hand-on creativity while enhancing fine motor skills! Kids will create Picasso faces utilizing playdough, buttons, and laughter while exploring different emotions via shapes.
🔔Make homemade playdough!
Materials Required:
✔️ Printable Picasso Playdough Mats (Print them here!)✔️ Playdough in multiple colors✔️ Small items like beads, buttons, and pipe cleaners
How to Use the Picasso Faces Mats:
- Print & Laminate the Mats - Protect them for repeated use.
- Form Picasso Faces - Utilize playdough and small objects to create eyes, noses, lips, and chins.
- Experiment with Expressions - Modify eyelashes, foreheads, and mouth shapes to create various emotions.
- Take a Group Picture - Capture an amusing class photo to compare and discuss!
Picasso-Inspired Santa Collage (Ages 5-10)
This Picasso-inspired Santa craft is a fun and unique holiday activity, yet it can also be adapted for any time of year (simply omit the holiday theme!)! Kids will love cutting and pasting facial features to create a Cubist Santa or an abstract portrait of any character.
Materials Required:
✔️ Printable Picasso Santa Templates (Find them here)✔️ Colored paper or cardstock✔️ Glue sticks & scissors✔️ Markers or crayons
How to Create a Picasso Santa (Or Any Cubist Portrait!):
Print the Santa Face Templates - Includes eyes, noses, mouths, ears, beards, and hats.
Cut & Arrange the Features - Position facial features in a Cubist style (move the chin, lips, and forehead for a different look).
Glue & Decorate - Use bright colors and striking outlines to match Picasso's style.
🔔Optional: Non-Holiday Version** - Instead of Santa, create a Picasso-style self-portrait or character using the same templates!
Who Was Pablo Picasso?
Born in Malaga, Spain, Pablo Picasso became one of the most famous artists in history. His work spanned multiple periods like the Blue Period, the Spanish Civil War era, and late works, but he is renowned for founding Cubism. He was also a printmaker, sculptor, and ceramicist and lived much of his life in Paris, the avant-garde capital.
One of Picasso's most famous paintings, Guernica, expressed powerful emotions about war, demonstrating art's unique ability to communicate feelings and ideas.
🔔Picasso once said: “A head is a matter of eyes, nose, mouth, which can be distributed in any way you like.”
This philosophy makes Picasso art projects the perfect way for kids to experiment with portrait art and creatively explore different emotions.
Why Teach Picasso to Kids?
- Think creatively about art
- Understand layers, angles, and geometric shapes
- Discover different emotions in a picture of a person
- Learn about a revolutionary artist in a child-friendly manner
🔔These Picasso art projects make great lessons for home, school, or art class and introduce kids to one of history's most famous artists!
More Fun Picasso Art for Kids!
- Picasso Flowers
- Picasso Heart
- Cubist Picasso Snowman
- Picasso Thanksgiving Turkey
- Picasso Santa
- Picasso Jack-O-Lantern
Helpful Art Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few useful resources to help you introduce art effectively to your children or students and feel confident with presenting materials. You'll find many helpful free printables throughout.
- Free Color Mixing Mini Pack
- Getting Started with Process Art
- Preschool Art Projects
- How to Make Paint
- Easy Painting Ideas For Kids
- Fun Pop Art Ideas
- Outdoor Art Projects
- Free Art Challenges
- What Are The 7 Elements Of Art?
- STEAM Activities (Science + Art)
- Make an art cart!
Printable Famous Artist Pack
Find each famous artist featured in our Famous Artists Project Pack 👇 including a bonus Andy Warhol Coloring Book!
25+ artists and growing with unique projects not available on the website!
*Elementary kids can learn about famous artists and their unique art styles beyond Picasso, like Vincent van Gogh, Georgia O'Keeffe, Claude Monet, and Frida Kahlo, enhancing their overall learning and appreciation of art.* Preschoolers and toddlers can engage in hands-on art activities using printables for self-expression and creativity while also helping them improve fine motor skills. Examples include self-portrait drawing, creating Heart art using handprints, or designing Cubist snowman and Thanksgiving turkey.* connect art with other areas of child development, such as lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden, providing opportunities to explore art in practical and meaningful ways. For instance, kids could design a self-portrait using their favorite fashion outfits, create colorful art for home decor, or draw and cook their favorite food.* Support personal growth and self-awareness by integrating art activities that foster self-reflection and creativity. Encourage kids to create art that depicts their hopes, dreams, and feelings, helping them understand and express themselves better.* Introduce different art concepts and techniques, such as color theory, mixed media, and three-dimensional art, to broaden kids' artistic knowledge and skills, while also allowing them to experiment with various materials and tools.* Encourage socialization and collaboration among kids by hosting group art projects or art-themed parties, where they can share their ideas, learn from each other, and build friendships. Community events like gallery tours, artist workshops, or art exhibitions can also inspire and engage kids in the arts.* Develop emotional intelligence and empathy through art by connecting art experiences to real-world issues like social justice, environmental concerns, or historical events. Art can provide a safe and creative outlet for kids to process their feelings, emotions, and thoughts about complex topics.* Cultivate an appreciation for art and its role in society by visiting art museums, galleries, or exhibitions, and discussing art with others. Emphasize the importance of supporting artists and their work and how art can influence and reflect our culture, history, and values.* Nurture a lifelong love of learning and curiosity by providing diverse and engaging art experiences, allowing kids to explore their interests and talents and encouraging a deep sense of creativity and innovation. Encourage kids to pursue art-related careers or continue to make art as a personal hobby and form of self-expression.* Emphasize the importance of taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from them as essential parts of the creative process. Encourage kids to try new art techniques, materials, and approaches, and to embrace experimentation and failure as opportunities for growth and development.
