Apple Painting for Little Kids AND Big Kids

It can be tricky to find art projects that are appropriate for a 2 year old AND an almost 6 year old. Their abilities, attention spans, and fine motor skills are SO different! We decided to make a simple art project during our Apple Week that provided the kiddos with the opportunity to use the same materials (colored pencils and watercolor) but allowed each child to create on their own level.

We selected a few remaining apples from our afternoon of apple picking as inspiration and kept them on the table to look at while we worked. When we were finished they became a tasty snack!

Cole made an abstract painting that we cut into an apple shape. I helped by providing the specific colors and cutting the shape, but other than that I just let him create freely. First he used red and yellow colored pencils to make marks on the watercolor paper. Then he painted over the lines with red watercolor. When the painting was dry, I returned it to him with the watercolor pencils and he added more designs. We followed the same process with brown colored pencil and watercolor to make the stem.

Definitely be prepared for your curious toddler to paint things other than the paper, and plan for their seat and accessibility to surrounding items accordingly…

Isla worked on a more realistic apple still life. She observed a specific apple closely to make her sketch with pencil, then added details with colored pencil. Afterward she painted her apple with watercolor. When it had dried, she went back over areas with her colored pencil to add details.

When watercolor painting we like to keep a scrap piece of paper around to test our colors.

This project was such a fun and simple way for the kids to create together while we wrapped up our Apple Week! From apple picking to making applesauce as a family and enjoying our favorite apple books to creating an apple feast, we thoroughly enjoyed celebrating this favorite (and tasty) fall symbol! Now, it’s pumpkin time!!!