Glitter Garden Art Project for Kids: Sparkle, Color, and Creative Fun
Let me just tell you: when first graders get their hands on glitter glue, oil pastels, and black paper, absolute magic happens. Picture a night garden that's bursting with color and sparkle, and you've got a pretty good idea of what we created in our classroom. And honestly? It was one of the most joyful (and gloriously messy) projects we've ever done.
This bold, glittery bloom shows how even first graders can create stunning contrast using oil pastels and sparkle.
The Activity:
We set out with one big goal: to explore texture. We weren't worried about drawing perfect flowers or realistic gardens. We wanted our artwork to feel as fun as it looked. And boy, did these kids deliver!
Here’s a quick rundown of the materials we used:
● Black construction paper (because everything looks more dramatic on black!)
● Oil pastels for those bright, rich colors
● Glitter glue
● Loose glitter (lots of it!)
● Glitter scrapbook paper (we cut out little shapes to add extra sparkle)
● Dotter tools (these exact ones here) to create those teeny tiny perfect dots
Bursting with color, this glitter garden flower proves that layering oil pastels brings artwork to life.
Art Concepts We Wove In:
● Texture: Students learned that texture isn't just something you feel with your fingers — it's something you can see in art, too!
● Contrast: Bright colors on dark paper made everything pop.
● Repetition and Pattern: We talked about how flowers often have repeating shapes and colors, and how repeating little dots could make the background feel lively and full.
Tips for Success:
● When using oil pastels, encourage students to layer colors a little bit. It makes a big difference!
● Keep baby wipes handy for quick clean-up (pastels and glitter glue can get...everywhere).
● Let the glue dry completely before moving or displaying the artwork.
● Give each artist a small container of glitter to "sprinkle like fairy dust" instead of handing them the whole bottle. Trust me on this one.
Homeschool or Classroom Adaptations:
● Homeschool: This project is perfect for a rainy day or a "spring is almost here" celebration.
● Classroom: Turn it into a full bulletin board display by arranging the gardens together for a giant "Midnight Garden Party" mural!
Dots and glow effects make this magical garden scene feel like a celebration under the stars.
Book Pairings for Even More Fun:
Want to add a literacy connection to your Glitter Garden project? Here are two perfect children's books to pair with this activity:
● Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert — This bright and bold classic celebrates the beauty of growing a garden with vivid colors, just like our students did with pastels and glitter!
● The Imaginary Garden by Andrew Larsen — A sweet story about creating a garden with imagination and love, perfect for encouraging students to see their artwork as a magical place they've made themselves.
Want to keep the creativity flowing?
● Check out the Intro to Art for Kids: An Art History Workbook for even more fun ways to connect art and learning at home or in your classroom.
● Or, explore our hands-on Art Meets Science: Handmade Paper Project to dive deeper into creating art with texture!
Final Thoughts:
Watching my first graders beam with pride over their glittery gardens was the absolute best part of this project. They learned that art isn't about being perfect — it's about layering, trying, and creating something uniquely their own. Plus, any project that lets us say "Okay, now you can sprinkle glitter!" is an automatic win.
If you loved this project, be sure to check out my full list of favorite texture activities — there's a whole lot more sparkle where this came from!
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Inside this free PDF, you'll find a treasure trove of van Gogh's self-portraits, each capturing the essence of the artist's unique style and introspection. From his early works to his later masterpieces, this collection showcases the evolution of van Gogh's self-representation throughout his remarkable career.
As students pair the self-portraits, they will develop visual recognition skills, explore color and brushstroke techniques, and gain a deeper understanding of van Gogh's artistic journey.
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Get to know Amanda Koonlaba!
Hi! I’m Amanda. Teaching children to be creative thinkers is my greatest joy. I’m here to help you bring that same joy to your classroom.
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