Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
Reading self-portraits, clay snails, and much more!
Apr 25, 2024
By second grade, students have a better grasp of basic art concepts and will therefore love a chance to try out new techniques and materials. That’s why they’ll embrace these imaginative projects, which use a wide variety of media to create amazing results. Whether you want to introduce a famous artist like Monet to your students or a concept like 3D sculpture, there really is something for everyone on our list. And parents will be impressed by the beautiful masterpieces their kids bring home to display!
1. Design with yarn art
Looking for a way to use up yarn scraps? Try this cool idea! Use pieces of clear self-adhesive shelf paper, and this second grade art project is a breeze.
Get tutorial: Yarn Painting
2. Experiment with string art painting
String-pull painting has become a trendy craft in recent years, and second grade art students will love getting to try it. The abstract designs they’ll create will definitely wow everyone.
Get tutorial: String Pull Painting
3. Tear paper to create landscapes
First have kids draw landscapes, cityscapes, or seascapes on manila paper. Then show them how to tear construction paper into pieces to fit their designs and glue into place. Finally, mount the masterpieces on large pieces of construction paper.
Learn more: Torn Paper Landscapes
4. Paint paper flowers
Start by having kids create their own colorful patterned paper using paints. Then, cut out petals and assemble these gorgeous flowers.
Get tutorial: Painted Paper Flowers
6. Draw multi-stripe crayon designs
This is the perfect second grade art project to do in a pinch since all you will need are crayons, tape, and paper. In addition to taping crayons together and coloring with them, you can have your students experiment with crayon etchings and mixing colors by overlaying them.
Learn more: Creative Coloring
7. Float paper hot-air balloons
Once kids learn the trick to making these 3D hot-air balloons, they’ll weave them in no time. Then, they can spend time adding details to the background, like clouds, birds, or kites flying by!
Learn more: Hot Air Balloon Paper Craft
8. See yourself in the abstract
Kids start by painting an abstract background. Then they add a photo of themselves with a collage of text strips about their favorite things, dreams, and wishes.
Learn more: Abstract Self-Portraits
9. Engineer paper pop-up robots
Kids love robots! These 3D paper creations are so fun to create, and kids can use a variety of materials to make them.
Get tutorial: Paper Robots
10. Take a bite out of this craft
This would be the perfect craft to do around Thanksgiving, but we think it would work anytime. Bonus: If you have a toy kitchen in your classroom, this craft can double as a toy.
Learn more: Pumpkin Pie Craft
11. Illustrate an underground world
Dream up an imaginary world deep beneath the soil. Kids can take inspiration from illustrators like Beatrix Potter and Garth Williams.
Learn more: Underground World
12. Mix up a color wheel umbrella
Mixing and contrasting colors are key concepts for young art students to learn. These cute umbrellas are a fun way to see the color wheel in action using liquid watercolors.
Learn more: Color Wheel Umbrella
13. Make a flower craft
Start by having second grade art students paint an oblong cardboard box with terra-cotta paint and fill it with paper shreds for soil. Then, craft paper flowers and plant a fresh display of color!
Get tutorial: Planter Boxes
14. Trace and color crazy circles
Take inspiration from artists like Kandinsky and Frank Stella and make bold geometric art pieces. Kids can trace around lids or plates to make circles or try them freehand.
Learn more: Circle Art
15. Create some beaded wind chimes
This is a second grade art project that will take multiple classes to complete, but the end result will totally be worth it. Be sure to really bring it in the supply department with different-colored straws, a variety of beads and pipe cleaners, and some jingle bells.
Get tutorial: Beaded Wind Chimes
16. Surprise them with ferocious creatures
The best art provokes a reaction—in this case, surprise! Fold the paper and sketch your figure’s face, then open it to add a gaping mouth full of teeth.
Learn more: Ferocious Beings Paper Project
17. Design fish mosaics
Mosaics take a lot of planning, but the results are always so cool. This is a terrific project for using up scraps of construction paper too.
Get tutorial: Fish Mosaics
18. Dive deep for underwater portraits
Art is all about encouraging kids to see themselves in unique new ways. Underwater self-portraits allow kids to imagine themselves enjoying life under the sea!
Learn more: Underwater Self-Portraits
19. Float sponges to create sailboats
These sailboats are easy to replicate with just sponges, wood skewers, card stock, and glue. You can even race them in a big tub of water by having students blow air into a straw to push their boat across the water.
Get tutorial: Sponge Sailboat
20. Design tissue paper water lilies
Tissue paper art replicates the soft lines and translucent colors of Monet’s impressionist style. Use this technique to create your own peaceful lily pond.
Get tutorial: Monet for Kids
21. Sketch springtime bunnies and bears
The soft and colorful flowers in the background contrast sharply with the patterned lines of these friendly creatures. Take the pressure off kids by letting them trace the animal shapes so they can focus on adding texture instead.
Learn more: Bunnies and Bear Cubs
22. Hang a wreath collage
One of the best things about this second grade art project is that you can really tailor it to the seasons. In addition to spring flowers, consider fall leaves and paper acorns, or holly leaves and poinsettia flowers.
Learn more: Wreath Collages
23. Draw a stuffed animal still life
Your students will definitely be excited to bring their favorite stuffed buddy to school. They will be even more excited when they realize it is going to be the subject of their next art project!
Learn more: Stuffed Animal Still Life Drawing
24. Draw windy-day houses
Watch trees blowing in the breeze on a windy day. Then take a look at the work of Gustav Klimt and emulate his style for the bendy trees in this project. Let your imagination take hold and add leaning buildings too!
Learn more: Windy Day Art
25. Sculpt birds in their nests
This is a cool project to do if your students are also studying birds in science class, but they’ll enjoy it even if they’re not. Kids can try to re-create real birds, or let their imagination fly and dream up an entirely new species.
Get tutorial: Clay Birds in a Nest
26. Make “Not a Box” sculptures
Before beginning this project, read the book Not a Box with your students. Be sure to set aside multiple class periods to work on these since your students will likely get carried away—in a good way!
Get tutorial: 3D “Not a Box” Paper Sculpture
27. Explore culture with Native totem poles
Begin by learning about the importance of totems and totem poles to First Nations people of the northwest coast. Then have kids choose symbols that are meaningful to them to create their own paper totems.
Learn more: Native American Totem Poles
28. Scream for these ice cream sculptures
Pick up some Model Magic, then grab your markers and paint and let your students’ imaginations run wild. They will definitely get a kick out of how realistic their ice cream sundaes look!
Learn more: Ice Cream Sundae Art
29. Create geometric collages
These collages may just look like random scraps of paper, but there are actually multiple art concepts in use here. Kids should be able to identify organic vs. geometric shapes and primary vs. secondary colors.
Get tutorial: Shape Collages
30. Fold origami whales
Origami whales with curling paper water spouts add dimension and texture to these compositions. Second grade art projects that use folding and cutting give kids a chance to improve their fine motor skills too.
Learn more: Origami Whales
31. Print symmetrical tigers
Second graders might be a little young to understand the “fearful symmetry” of Blake’s Tyger, but they’ll enjoy using the paint-and-print technique to make these wild faces.
Get tutorial: Tiger Prints
32. Paint reflected fall trees
Kids will be fascinated to see how wetting the bottom half of the paper changes and mutes the paint colors. Use oil pastels to add lines and water effects.
Learn more: Fall Reflections
33. Coil up some snails
Clay can feel a little intimidating, but it’s not too difficult to roll a long “snake” and coil it up. Add a body with eyestalks, and the sculpting is done!
Learn more: Clay Snails
34. Fill watercolor vases with tissue flowers
The watercolor wash in the background is set off by the geometric-patterned lines of the vases in the foreground. The tissue paper flowers add another bit of texture to this mixed-media project.
Get tutorial: Watercolor Vases
35. Plant a pumpkin farm
These unique pumpkin patches are so fun to make. Ask your students to make the pumpkins as realistic as they can. Then, they can set their imaginations free and make the rest of the composition as unrealistic as they like!
Learn more: Pumpkin Farms
36. Craft reading self-portraits
This is one of our favorite twists on a self-portrait. Kids can include their favorite book or make one up that tells the story of their own life.
Get tutorial: Reading Self-Portraits
37. Walk among a birch tree forest
These landscape paintings help kids understand the concepts of foreground, middle ground, and background. They’ll also use techniques like wax-crayon-resist and cardboard printing.
Learn more: Birch Tree Landscapes
38. Escape to a silhouette island
Take a trip to a tropical isle and learn art concepts like warm colors, silhouettes, and horizon line. Each piece will be unique, but they’ll all be masterpieces!
Get tutorial: Silhouette Islands
39. Paint some snakes
It will be fun to see how different each of your students’ paintings come out despite starting with the same premise. We love that this second grade art project teaches about perspective as parts of the snake’s body will be visible while other parts will be hidden.
Learn more: Snakes
40. Design flower-painted rocks
Rock painting is always a hit. Get ready for spring with these colorful and fun creations.
Get tutorial: Flower-Painted Rocks
41. Build recycled sculptures
Recycled junk makes the best treasure. The possibilities are endless with these one-of-a-kind creations.
Learn more: Recycled Sculptures
42. Create a garden diorama
We adore how bright and beautiful these garden scenes are! Grab some old shoeboxes, crayons, paper, and decorating materials to create your own.
Get tutorial: Garden Diorama
43. Fly paper-plate tropical bird art
These colorful creations are so simple and fun. Made from paper plates, these crafts get their vibrant color from liquid watercolors and crayons. Kids will love to fly these birds like paper airplanes or hang them as lively decorations.
Get tutorial: Tropical Bird Craft
44. Design nature prints
We love how incredibly versatile and beautiful these are. Use rocks, leaves, flowers, and more to create lasting markings. Kids can be involved in every step of this project, including collecting materials from nature, which can be an endless source of inspiration.
Get tutorial: Nature Prints
What are your favorite second grade art projects? Come share your ideas in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out Collaborative Art Projects That Bring Out Everyone’s Creative Side.