5 Famous Artists Every Child Should Know
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you
Introduce your kids to the masters of creativity-no museum ticket required!
Whether you’re a homeschool parent, classroom teacher, or just trying to make screen-free time more fun, teaching art to kids and introducing famous artists can be a great way to spark imagination and curiosity.
You don’t have to just memorize names or dates to learn Art History, it’s about exploring bold colors, new ideas, and creative voices from around the world. The best part? You don’t need an Art History degree to start!
Listed below are five iconic artists every child should know, along with fun facts and ways to bring their art to life.
1. Vincent Van Gogh
· Known for: Starry Night, Sunflowers, Self Portrait
· From: Netherlands
· Periods: Post-Impressionism, Pointillism, Neo-Impressionism
· Why kids love him: Bold brushstrokes, and bright colors
· Try this: Make a swirling sky painting using cotton swabs or thick brushes.
Did you know? Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime-but today, his works are priceless.
2. Frida Kahlo
· Known for: Self-portraits, The Two Fridas, Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird
· From: Mexico
· Periods: Surrealism
· Why kids love her: Bright colors, wild animals, and strong personality
· Try this: Create a self-portrait with symbols of things you love, like pets, books, or nature.
Did you know? Frida spent much of her life painting from bed due to illness, but she never stopped creating.
3. Claude Monet
· Known for: Water Lilies, Impression: Sunrise, Woman with a Parasol
· From: France
· Periods: Impressionism, Modern Art
· Why kids love him: Soft, dreamy colors and peaceful nature scenes.
· Try this: Make a tissue paper collage of a pond or garden.
Did you know? Monet loved painting the same spot at different times of day to show how light changed everything.
4. Pablo Picasso
· Known for: Inventing cubism, abstract portraits, Guernica
· From: Spain
· Periods: Cubism
· Why kids love him: Wacky faces, bright shapes, and freedom.
· Try this: Cut and rearrange facial features from magazines to make your on-cubist portrait.
Did you know? Picasso could draw realistically by age 7- but chose to paint wildly instead.
5. Georgia O’Keeffe
· Known for: Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1, Original Poppies, Summer Days
· From: USA
· Periods: Modernism
· Why kids love her: Close-up flowers and bold colors feel almost like magic.
· Try this: Zoom in on a flower from your backyard and paint it BIG.
Did you know? Georgia moved to the New Mexico desert and said the colors there changed her art forever.
Bonus: Free Printable Notebooking pages!
Want to explore these artists with your kids or students? I’ve created a set of free notebooking pages where your child or student can draw, write down fun facts, and reflect on what makes each artist special.
Click here to download the FREE “Famous Artist Notebooking Pages” pack!
These five artists are just the beginning of a colorful journey through art history. Whether you’re starting an artist of the month club, planning a unit study, or just sprinkling art into your week, remember exposure to great art can inspire creativity, curiosity, and confidence.
