DIY Word Canvas Art Project for Kids & Adults
Learn how to create simple and easy word canvas artworks
Is it a holiday again, and you are looking for an easy project for your kids to make? In this article, I am going to show you a DIY word canvas art project for kids.
But stayed tuned…
because I will also show you another great DIY canvas art project that looks super professional! This art canvas project is great for when you are looking for a simple and inexpensive way to add to your home decor.
DIY Word Art makes wonderful gifts for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Birthdays…
My toddlers made this word canvas art for my husband for Father’s Day this year. My youngest is 2 years old and she had no problem working on this project with her 4-year-old brother. Therefore, I would say this is a FABULOUS preschool canvas painting idea!!
The DIY Project Challenge
When my kids first made this DIY canvas art for my husband, I didn’t realize I was already fitting this month’s theme for a DIY project challenge. Each month, my awesome DIY blogger friends get together and create projects based on a theme. The project must cost under $50!
This month’s theme was to use wood and any other material to create a DIY project. Well…I did just that without even realizing it!
For past challenges, I have redone a Midcentury Modern dresser, experimented with marbling paint techniques and created no-sew DIY storage boxes.
These DIY ladies sure know how to create amazing things on a budget!
For this month’s project, I even had all the supplies here from past DIY and art projects. The joys of being a DIY nut…
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.
Word Art Supplies Needed
–Canvas, Canvas Board or Simply Cardboard would work.
I love gallery-wrapped canvases. Simply paint the edges and there is no need to frame it!
–Wooden Letters (We used these ones and mixed in this different set) both found at Michael’s
-Paint brushes
-Tempera or Acrylic Paint
-Glue (Craft or my FAVORITE type of Elmer’s glue)
How to create DIY Word Canvases
Step 1:
1. Make sure you provide your little ones with colors that mix well together. Check out how we created cards with this easy watercolor project for kids using the same color mixing concept.
Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel will work such as 2 of the primary colors. Then add white paint to make tints of the colors.
During this art project, colors will be mixed, so make sure to make good color choices, or else you may end up with a brown mess! I repeat…no brown messes!
For our project, my son chose BLUE and my daughter chose red. Therefore, since they chose primary colors, it made it pretty simple for me!
If you want a little fun video to show your kids about color mixing before you start, go ahead and check this color mixing video out!
2. Pick out the saying that you want to be on your canvas. We decided to spell, “I WUV DAD”. Partially because I couldn’t find another E and also because that is how my little kiddos say, “Love”.
Because I was doing this easy canvas art project with younger children, picking out the wooden letters was an activity in itself. I ALWAYS love when we can turn any art project into another type of learning activity.
Even if for now they think you spell love, W-U-V…
I need to remember to cherish the moments and thought my husband would also appreciate the WUV!
3. Paint the letters using the main colors (not white). You want there to be some contrast between the words and the background. I liked the idea that our canvas art is all similar colors. However, you could always use one set of colors for the letters and one set for the background.
***Don’t miss at the end where I show you to make a more professional looking and easy word art for any room in your house.***
4. Once the wooden letters are painted, set them aside. Give each child a squirt of white paint next to “his or her” color. Naturally, my kids mixed the paints as they worked together to paint the canvas.
TIP: When kids keep painting in the same area, gently rotate the canvas or paper so that they will work in a different area. Kids (especially younger ones), do not know when to stop, but it is because they are having so much FUN painting and making a masterpiece of a canvas!
5. Allow all parts to dry. Once canvas and letters are dry, carefully use glue to collage the pieces on to create the final DIY word canvas.
Optional DIY Canvas Word Art Step
I did not do this, but that is because my husband proudly took this word canvas art to his office before I could. You could use a clear spray or different types of mod podge (I love this one). This product will help add a cool shine or cohesiveness to the art project.
Even a clear gloss spray paint would add a little more extra protection. In addition, it would hide any extra glue that may have slipped out from under the wooden letters on to the canvas.
And just like that…
You have a WONDERFUL DIY word art that is sure to make any dad, grandparent or mom feel special!
DIY Word Canvas Art Project for your home
At the beginning of this article, I stated how you can also use the same children’s canvas art idea to create your own FABULOUS DIY word canvas that would fit any home decor.
Simple and Easy Canvas Art (Anyone can make these)!
Here is how I added two simple black and white word canvas artworks for our master bathroom. Yes, I could have painted anything I wanted for there. However, I wanted a simple and easy canvas art above our toilet!
Use quotes or your favorite song for the words on your canvas
My husband and I decided to use a song by the Beatles as the wording. We simply glued all the wooden letters on to the canvas using craft glue or my favorite type of Elmer’s glue!
Some of you may think it is odd that I have a FAVORITE type of glue…
but it is from years of experience. I have many more favorite art supplies for kids (and adults, too!) that I recommend all the time!
After this had dried, I used black and white spray paint to cover all parts of the canvas. It did take a few coats. The trick to making this DIY word canvas art is to make sure that you use the spray paint from many different angles.
You want to make sure that the wooden letters and canvas are completely covered!
I absolutely LOVE when DIY art projects can be for adults or for kids.
If you love art projects that can be for both kids or adults! Be sure to check out some of my other DIY home projects and DIY art projects.
This DIY canvas word art project truly shows that art is for everyone!
I cannot wait to see what the other ladies of the DIY project challenge have come up with! We always have such different and unique interpretations of the theme. I hope you enjoy exploring their DIY sites as much as I do!
Emory Farm: How to Make Your Own Wooly Sheep Toy |
Joyful Derivatives: How to Frame a Canvas Painting |
Kippi at Home: Gorgeous DIY Solar Lanterns |
Sand Dollar Lane: Dog Leash Holder |
1905 Farmhouse: DIY Poster Frame for Vintage Prints |
31 Comments
Emory Farm
I love that you got 2 projects out of one! So cute!!!
Erin
Thanks! I love it when simple art projects can have two completely different outcomes!
Ashley Cooper
Lol I WUV dad that’s too cute!! Thanks for the tips. I’m going to let my kids do a couple of art projects to keep them off the tablets this weekend lol
Erin
Yes, I am all for limiting screen time and art projects are the perfect way to keep kids engaged and tape into their creative side. Have fun!
Rachael
We have holidays coming up and this looks like the perfect project for an afternoon (and morning if we go shopping for supplies).
joy
clever! as a woman w/o kids i love when people post craft ideas i can do too.
Joy at The Joyous Living
Monica
What an adorable idea! My son was just saying how he wants to paint. This looks like the project we are going to do!
Erin
Thanks Monica! It really is a pretty easy art project for kids or even adults!
Jordan | Mindful Mama Health
What a fun idea! This is great for little ones who can’t write yet, but to spread a special message! Thanks for sharing!
Erin
Thanks, Jordan. I was happy that my toddlers were talking about what letters they were seeing and we had to talk about what finding the right ones. It just added another lesson to the art project.
Amy
Super cute! I love it! And so easy for the kids to help with!
Erin
Hi Amy! Being easy and simple was what I was going for. I am always trying to find easy DIY art projects that my toddlers can do with me!
Eileen Curinga
I love this fun project, Erin! I especially love that it’s something fun you can do with your little people!
Erin
Hi Eileen! Thanks for the kind words. I always love when a simple and easy DIY project can also incorporate the kids. They were so proud to give this to their dad on Father’s Day!
Annie
What a great craft project for kids!
Erin
Thanks for the kind words. I love anything that keeps the kids being creative, especially craft projects!
Jenn Summers
This is so cute and I love the WUV, way too adorable! Great craft for the kid’s thanks so much, Erin!
Erin
Hi Jenn. Thanks again for your kind words. My children sure had fun creating this Father’s Day artwork present for him
Marie
I’m not particularly good at crafts but this is something I think I’d do
Erin
Hi Marie! This DIY word canvas art project is pretty easy and I think you should be able to channel your creative side!
Kippi
Great idea for the entire family! I pinned it!!!
Happy 4th of July,
Kippi
Erin
Hi Kippi. I hope you have a great 4th of July! I love when DIY projects are for the whole family!
Sandi Schwartz
Hi Erin, this looks like a super fun project. Do you have any DIY project ideas for nature drawing or nature painting for kids? I just wrote a post about why nature art projects are such a great relaxation tool.
Erin
Hi Sandi! I do love art and nature projects as well. Right now I don’t have a specific one my blog but have done nature-inspired art projects in the past. I will have to think about adding one soon!
Ashley
I love this idea! It teaches spelling at the same time as creating art. I absolutely love it!
Supriya
You are so very good at crafts and I lack that spark. I think I should give this a try
Erin
Hi Supriya. You can TOTALLY do this DIY craft. It is a super easy craft for adults or kids! Good luck!
Jenn Summers
Such a cute idea! I love that it is kid-friendly but can also be used to create an easy work of art for a great home decor piece! Great tutorial love it!
Erin
Hi, Jenn. My kids loved making this for their dad! I also love that I have simple and easy artworks for my bathroom.
Jennifer Van Haitsma
These are so cute! I would never have thought to do this. My kids would love it. They love painting!
Erin
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for the kind words. These are a super easy word canvas project to do. I just love that I was able to get a simple DIY artwork for our bathroom and then one that the kids were able to do for Father’s Day!