How to Paint Watercolor Nutcrackers with Kids (and Add Glitter + Gold Leaf Without Losing Your Mind)
A few years ago, my kids were dancing at a studio that — well — landed itself firmly on the naughty list. The vibes were off, the values didn’t line up, and it just wasn’t the right fit for our family. So we packed up our ballet shoes and found a new dance home, unsure of what to expect but hopeful for something better.
And then…something beautiful happened.
At our new studio, my oldest was cast in The Nutcracker — her very first time — and danced in the Party Scene. Watching her step onto the stage in a satin ribboned dress, holding hands with her castmates as they pretended to welcome guests and play with toys, was one of the most joyful moments we’ve ever had as a family. Maybe it was the music, or the way the story came to life through her movement, or just the peace of finally being in a place that felt kind and creative. Either way, we left that theater feeling something we hadn’t in a long time: pure joy.
That performance is what inspired this art project. These watercolor nutcrackers are a tribute to the magic of that experience — full of bold colors, playful shapes, and just the right amount of gold leaf and glitter to make them shine. Whether you’re in the classroom or around your kitchen table, this is the kind of project that brings joy in the making and in the sharing.
Inspired by the magic of that first Nutcracker performance, this bold red nutcracker kicks off the project with festive flair.
What We Did: Nutcracker Paintings with Drama and Shine
Materials:
● Watercolor paper or manilla tagboard
● Pencils and erasers
● Oil pastels (black for outlining)
Bright and beaming, this yellow nutcracker closes the lineup with joyful contrast and a hint of sparkle.
● Paintbrushes and water cups
● Gold leaf sheets
● Gold glitter or glitter glue
● Small brushes or cotton swabs for gold leaf application
Cool tones and gold details give this blue nutcracker a frosty elegance.
Steps:
Sketch the nutcracker. Start with basic shapes stacked symmetrically — rectangles, squares, circles. Think blocky toy soldier vibes.
Outline with oil pastel. This gives that bold “stained glass” look and keeps watercolor where you want it.
Paint it in. We used everything from icy cool tones to fiery reds. Watercolor pencils helped with finer features.
Add glitter and gold leaf accents. Students brushed glue onto boots, buttons, and hats, then pressed on gold leaf and glitter. Voilà: drama.
This green nutcracker brings the sparkle with glittered shoulders and a gilded hat brim.
What Students Practiced (Even If They Thought They Were Just Having Fun)
● Line and shape recognition
● Symmetry and spatial awareness
● Texture: visual vs tactile
● Color theory: warm/cool combos, contrast, and personal palette choices
● And yes — fine motor skills for applying that delicate gold leaf!
The warmth in this orange nutcracker makes it the perfect example of personal palette choice and holiday color experimentation.
✨ Real Supplies That Worked Wonders
Straight from my classroom and verified resources:
● 🖍️ Crayola Oil Pastels Classpack
● 🧻 Manilla Tagboard
● ✨ Imitation Gold Leaf Sheets
Soft purple tones paired with dramatic outlines show how kids can mix whimsy with structure.
Related Projects You Might Love
● How to Draw a Reindeer – a jolly pairing for this project
● 4 Holiday Elementary Art Projects – a little color for the holidays
● 10 Gifts for Creative Children – best artful gifts for art-loving kiddos
Final Thoughts
This project brought so much joy to our classroom — and for me, it carried a deeper meaning. Every brushstroke, every sparkle of gold leaf reminded me of that first Nutcracker performance and the beauty of finding your people, your place, your creative home.
So yes, we used glitter. Yes, it got everywhere. But it also helped us celebrate art, the holidays, and the power of starting fresh.
This pink nutcracker proves that holiday art doesn’t have to follow tradition to be beautiful.
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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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