Creative Homeschool Art Projects: Fun DIY Ideas with Markers, Paints, and Easels
- Teacher Angie
- Oct 2
- 6 min read
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Does this sound familiar? You sit down for homeschool art time, pull out the same old broken crayons, and your child’s excitement disappears before you even start. Or maybe you’ve heard, “Can we just do math instead?”
When kids would rather do fractions than art, something needs to change.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to be a perfect art teacher. You just need the right tools. With quality supplies, your children’s creativity flows naturally — and art time becomes something they actually look forward to.
And with Amazon Prime Day (October 7, 2025) right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to upgrade your homeschool art corner.
Why Art Matters in Your Homeschool Journey
Before we dive into the fun stuff, let's talk about why art deserves a real spot in your homeschool day.
Art helps children think differently. Try giving your child an art "brain break" in between tough problem-solving in math, notice that they will approach the math problems completely differently after spending time sketching and experimenting with colors. There's something about creating with their hands that opens up their minds.
Here's what regular art time actually does for children:
Builds confidence when they create something uniquely theirs
Develops fine motor skills (especially helpful for younger children still working on handwriting)
Teaches patience and the value of working through mistakes
Gives them a healthy way to express emotions they can't put into words
Encourages them to think outside the box in all subjects
I see it happen in my own home. My 9 and 12-year-olds love creating through painting. These aren't small things – they're life skills wrapped up in creative fun.
Creative Projects That Actually Work
Project 1: Daily Sketch Journaling Adventures
This project is simple, but it can change the way your homeschool art time feels. Give your children a sketchbook (even a basic notebook works), and let them draw something each day. The freedom to create without rules helps them build confidence and explore their creativity.
But here’s the challenge I know many of us face: cheap supplies that don’t last.
Markers that dry out after just a few uses
Colors that don’t blend or fade quickly
Limited color options that make projects feel flat
That’s where a quality marker set makes a difference.
[Alcohol Markers 120-Color Set - Perfect for sketching, doodling, and bringing journal pages to life]
Why I Recommend This 120-Color Marker Set
I haven’t personally purchased this set yet, but here’s why I’m seriously considering it for our homeschool:
120 rich shades – so children aren’t limited to a handful of colors
Dual tips – a fine tip for details and a broad tip for larger areas
Alcohol-based ink – blends smoothly and doesn’t fade like water-based markers
📓 Parent-tested on Amazon – highly rated by families who use them for school projects, doodling, and art journaling
Why I included this set: I only recommend products from brands I trust or that come highly recommended by other homeschooling parents. The reviews show children stay more engaged with quality tools — and that’s the goal.
Project 2: DIY Stained Glass
Children can transform jars, bottles, or even windows into colorful “stained glass” masterpieces. It looks fancy, but it’s surprisingly simple.
What you'll need:
Clean glass jars or windows
Quality glass paints in multiple colors
Small brushes
Paper towels for cleanup
26 waterproof colors – designed specifically for glass
Comes with brushes, palette, and sponge — no extra trips to the store
Paints actually bond to glass, so sunlight brings designs to life
Popular with parents for seasonal crafts and homeschool art projects
Why I recommend it:
Parents say these paints hold up where cheap acrylics fail. Kids feel like “real artists” when their projects shine in the window.
The process:
Let children sketch their design on paper first
Apply the paint directly to glass in thin, even layers
Allow each color to dry before adding the next
Watch the sunlight bring their creation to life
The secret to success here is using proper glass paints instead of regular acrylic. Use a colorful stained glass paint set that comes with 26 different colors, plus all the brushes and palette you need.
These paints bond to glass and create that gorgeous translucent effect that makes children feel like real artists (because they are)! We've decorated mason vases, and jars.
Project 3: Creating Your Art Corner Command Center
Every homeschool needs an art space, but it doesn't have to take over your dining room. We transformed a corner of our garage into an art station.
The setup that works:
A dedicated surface that can get messy
Storage for supplies within children’s reach
Good lighting (natural light is best)
An easel that grows with your children
Here’s what stood out to me:
Multi-surface design – chalkboard, whiteboard, and paper roll in one
Adjustable height – works for different ages and grows with your child
Perfect for daily homeschool use — durable and steady (unlike cheaper versions)
Parents say it helps children stay organized and inspired
Why I recommend it: A flexible, high-quality easel makes art time easier for both kids and parents — fewer messes, more creativity.
Project 4: Mixed Media Storytelling
This project combines art with language arts in a way that makes both subjects more engaging. Children create their own picture books, telling stories through both words and images.
Combine art and writing by letting children make their own picture books. They write a short story, illustrate each page, and “publish” it to share with the family.
Using markers for detail, glass paint for backgrounds, and the easel for planning makes this project feel professional and fun.
How it works:
Children write a simple story (even just 3-4 sentences for younger ones)
They illustrate each page using different art techniques
They bind the pages together with a simple stapler
They "publish" their book by reading it to the family
Use the alcohol markers for character details, the stained glass paints for background effects on plastic sheets, and the easel for planning out the story flow. It's amazing how pleased children feel when they create something from start to finish.
The Right Tools Make All the Difference
I used to think expensive art supplies were unnecessary for children. "They're just going to make a mess anyway," I told myself as I bought the cheapest markers at the dollar store.
But here's what changed my mind: Markers that dried out mid-drawing. Paints that looked muddy no matter how carefully they mixed colors. An easel that fell over because it was cheaply made.
Quality supplies = children who stay engaged, focused, and proud of their work.
Making the Investment Work for Your Family
I know what you're thinking. Quality art supplies cost more upfront. But...let me share some mom-to-mom truth: buying cheap supplies over and over actually costs more than investing in good tools once (please read that statement again - can you relate...).
We went through two sets of cheap markers. Each time, I told myself I was being budget-conscious. But when you add up what we spend on cheap supplies that didn't work (for long), you realize that you could have bought the good stuff twice over.
Here's how to make art supplies budget-friendly:
Buy quality items during sales (Amazon Prime Day on October 7, 2025 is perfect for this)
Consider them learning materials, not craft supplies – they're part of your curriculum
Share between multiple children (quality supplies last longer)
Use them across multiple subjects (art, science diagrams, history timelines)
Your Children Are Ready for This
Maybe you're worried your children won't appreciate good supplies, or that you're not "artsy" enough to guide them. Let me ease your mind: children know the difference between tools that work and tools that frustrate them.
You don't have to be an artist to facilitate creativity. Your job is to provide the space, the tools, and the encouragement. Your children will do the amazing part – they'll create, experiment, and surprise you with their ideas.
"The goal isn't perfect art. It's confident children who aren't afraid to try new things."
Ready to Transform Your Art Time?
Amazon Prime Day = The Perfect Time
Prime Day (October 7, 2025) is the best opportunity to stock up on quality homeschool art tools without paying full price.
Here’s what I recommend checking out:
Alcohol Markers 120-Color Set for vibrant, long-lasting artwork
Colorful Stained Glass Paint Set for unique projects that wow
Wooden Adjustable Children’s Easel for a dedicated creative workspace
👉 Upgrade your homeschool art corner this Prime Day and watch creativity come alive in your children.
Homeschool art doesn't have to be stressful, messy chaos that leaves everyone frustrated. With the right tools, it can be the highlight of your week – the subject your children actually ask for. Trust me, there's nothing quite like seeing your child's face light up when their artistic vision comes to life exactly as they imagined.
Your children are creative. They're ready to make beautiful things. These tools can enhance their hardworking imaginations.
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