Fifth grade is an exciting year! In art class, students are developing more advanced skills. They are learning about the visual arts such as painting, sculpture, and photography. They have fun exploring different cultures, time periods, styles, and famous artists. Through art education provided by parents or classroom art teachers, students will enhance their critical thinking skills as well as their creativity.
The following inspiring artwork ideas will allow fifth-grade students to let their artistic skills shine!
1. Drip Art
Fifth graders love this art design inspired by Jen Stark, a current Miami artist. You can begin this project with white paper and a black Sharpie marker. A lot of bright colors will also be needed to create this design. Watch this video to learn how to create your own drip art.
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2. Op Art
This Op Art design is in the style of Victor Vasarely. Fifth-grade students usually have a great time with this drawing lesson. To complete this project, watch this video and gather the following materials for class: paper, black marker, pencil, ruler, white and black crayons, or colored pencils.
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3. Paper Lantern
For this fun fifth-grade art activity, you will turn paper into lanterns. These paper Chinese lanterns are a great addition to any party decor. Make these cool papercraft lanterns with construction paper, scissors, and a stapler. Learn how in this step-by-step video.
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4. Oil Pastel Rainbow Tree
Fifth-graders will enjoy this easy rainbow tree scenery drawing completed with colorful oil pastels. This activity is sure to engage the students while allowing them to practice the art of drawing with oil pastels. The students can easily learn how to complete this project by watching this video.
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5. 3D Paper Name Sculpture
Most fifth-graders love art activities that deal with their names; however, they especially love making paper name sculptures with 3D elements. These easy sculptures only require poster board, scissors, glue, and markers. Learn how to create a name masterpiece here.
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6. Kandinsky Dot Tree
The dot tree is a Kandinsky-inspired art project that your fifth-grader will have a blast making. This Kandinsky-inspired project is very inexpensive to make and only requires construction paper, glue, and scissors. This video includes detailed art lesson plans for this bold piece.
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7. Abstract Splatter Paint Art
Your fifth-grade student will learn a brief history lesson about Jackson Pollock and abstract art in this video. This fifth-grade art idea is tons of fun, but it is also extremely messy because it requires splattering paint speckles all over paper or an art canvas.
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8. Lighthouse Scene
A lighthouse scene is a great activity for students. To paint lighthouses requires your fifth-grader to focus on the directions explained in this video. The finished artwork can be framed and displayed in your home once it is completed.
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9. Graffiti Name Art
Fifth-grade students will enjoy this fun lesson that involves using their names in an art design. This video includes a graffiti lesson plan that provides step-by-step directions for creating your very own graffiti masterpiece.
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10. Chalk Pastel Fall Leaf
Your fifth-grader will get the opportunity to color with chalk when creating this awesome project. Begin with black construction paper, colored chalk, and a leaf template. These beautiful pieces make a wonderful fall decoration. This video will explain how to create one of these art pieces in minutes.
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11. 3D Color Wheel
This 3D color wheel sphere art uses paper plates, paint, and paper clips for teaching about tertiary colors. This 5th-grade art lesson is perfect for teaching how the intense colors of the spectrum relate to one another. Learn how to create this 3D masterpiece by viewing this video.
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12. Andy Warhol Pop Art
Fifth graders will enjoy learning about the creative artist Andy Warhol who was well-known for his pieces of pop art. Students can create these masterpieces individually or as a collaborative project. To learn more about how to make this creation, watch this video.
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13. Clay Coil Hearts
This fun clay project is a great activity for fifth graders. Students will learn about the tedious process of making and firing a clay piece as they enjoy creating this cute coil heart project! Watch this fantastic art project tutorial to learn how to make your own.
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14. Japanese Notan Art
This fifth-grade art project focuses on positive and negative space and looks best on black paper. You will also need a 6 x 6 piece of colored paper, scissors, and glue to complete this Japanese art project. This video provides you with step-by-step directions for completing this fun project.
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15. Shade a Sphere with Chalk Pastels
Color chalk pastels are used for this awesome blending activity. Fifth-grade students will learn how to shade a sphere as they create their own unique sphere masterpiece. Your young artist can learn blending and shading techniques in this great tutorial.
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16. Still Life
This awesome art project teaches fifth-graders the importance of the element of art value and how to incorporate it into their work when painting still life objects. This activity will provide creative classroom fun that will keep students engaged. View this video to learn how to complete this project.
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16. Still Life
This art project is inspired by the contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. She is a Japanese artist that is known for her artwork that features lots of dots. The dots and vibrant colors definitely gain the attention of fifth-grade students. Your students can learn more about Yayoi and her art in this video.
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18. Georgia O'Keeffe Flower Project
This beautiful flower art project is inspired by the work of Georgia O'Keeffe. This project teaches students how to blend with chalk and one's fingers; therefore, students will need a paper towel to wipe their hands once they complete their beautiful flower masterpieces. Learn how to complete the project with this video.
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19. Tiger Drawing
Fifth-grade students can create this amazing tiger drawing on printer paper or construction paper with colored pencils, markers, or paint markers. The lesson inspiration for this project is the artist Dean Russo. Check out this video for step-by-step directions for creating your own tiger drawing.
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20. Vincent Van Gogh Sunflowers
This video includes information about Vincent Van Gogh as well as provides a tutorial on how to create a sunflower drawing inspired by the work of Van Gogh. Your fifth-grader will find great interest in this flowers art project!
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21. Op Art Worm Tunnel
This activity is the perfect project for fifth-graders. The only supplies needed to create this project are printer paper, a Sharpie marker, a pencil, and colored markers or colored pencils. You can use any color scheme you choose as you create this optical art activity. Learn how here.
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22. Abstract Color Wheel
This fun fifth-grade art project is inspired by the artist Sonia Delaunay. Students will love the bright colors of the abstract color wheel. However, you can use any combination of colors you choose. To learn how to create this abstract color wheel, view this video.
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23. Origami Frog
This origami frog project is lots of fun for fifth-grade students. They will love making this cute frog. All you need is a square piece of paper to complete this project. If using printer paper, you will need scissors, so you can cut it to the correct shape. Watch this video to learn how to make your own origami frog.
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24. Op Art Hand
Your fifth-graders will have a blast creating this op art hand project. The video also includes information about the important elements of art line and color. It is a great lesson about the principle of pattern, design, and movement.
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25. Kaleidoscope Name
This fun project will allow your fifth-grade student to create a kaleidoscope using their name. It is a great project for teaching the following elements of art: shapes and colors. Balance is the principle of design for this project. Your student can learn to create his own name kaleidoscope by watching the step-by-step directions in this video.
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26. Contour Line Sneaker Drawing
Your fifth-grader will enjoy creating a contour line sneaker drawing from one or two of his old sneakers. This fun project allows your student to use his imagination and creativity skills as he completes this project. View this video and follow the step-by-step directions.
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27. Dragon's Eye
In this lesson, your fifth-grade student will learn how to draw a close-up view of a dragon's eye. This art project also focuses on creating value in the dragon's eye as well as the scales that surround the dragon's eye. Learn how to complete this fun drawing here.
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28. Quartz Crystal Cluster
Your fifth-grade student will use their knowledge of geometric and organic shapes to create the quartz crystal cluster drawing. The supplies needed for this project are very inexpensive. You can view this video to learn how to create this fun and engaging drawing.
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29. Skyscraper Perspective
This is a terrific art lesson for teaching perspective to your fifth-grade students! They will have tons of fun as they create their very own cities. They can follow the step-by-step directions that are in this great tutorial video.
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30. Mandala Art
Your fifth-grade student will love this fun mandala art drawing activity that teaches them about symmetry. They can be creative and use a wide variety of colors as they create this art project. To learn how to create this Mandala art masterpiece, watch this video.
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31. Ted Harrison Inspired Landscape
This landscape art project is a terrific project for fifth-grade students. This drawing technique is inspired by Ted Harrison and allows your student to practice their creativity. They can also use any color combination that they choose. Learn how to create this Ted Harrison-inspired project by watching this video.
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32. Desert Scene
This desert scene is an inexpensive art project that your fifth-grade student will enjoy as they learn how to create their very own desert scene. Make sure you have printer paper, a pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, and colored pencils. Watch this step-by-step tutorial to learn how to create your very own desert scene.
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Closing Thoughts
These 32 art project ideas for fifth-grade students will keep them engaged for hours. Their exposure to various elements and principles of art will impact their art skills as they grow and develop as artists. They will also be exposed to a variety of different artists and designs that will influence their creativity for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should 5th graders know in art?
These 32 art project ideas for fifth-grade students will keep them engaged for hours. Their exposure to various elements and principles of art will impact their art skills as they grow and develop as artists. They will also be exposed to a variety of different artists and designs that will influence their creativity for years to come.
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