Easy DIY Word Canvas Art Project
Are you looking for an easy project for kids of all ages to make? This simple word canvas craft project is such a great gift idea. Update those blank canvases the next time you need something for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or Father’s Day.
*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 our full privacy policy.
Not only is this an easy art idea for kids, but it can be customized for adults as well. Make sure you read the whole post to see how you can take the same craft idea and change it no matter which family member is creating it.
Why Let Kids Create
- Can be personalized with your favorite saying or quote.
- Won’t be a classic cookie-cutter craft. Each child can create their own masterpiece and have fun doing it.
- Painting, handling the small wooden letters and even sorting the letters help develop fine motor skills.
Tips For Paint Colors
Make sure you provide your little ones with colors that mix well together. The colors that are next to each other on the color wheel will work well. You can also add white paint to any color scheme to get a variety of tints.
2 Primary Colors Also Work
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!
Recommended Supplies
- Wooden Letters
- Canvas or Canvasboard
- Acrylic Craft Paint
- Paintbrushes
- Glue-All
- Toothpicks
- Paper Plate
- Water Container
How To Make Kids Word Canvas Project
Before You Begin
Make choosing the words and finding the letters fun. Picking out the wooden letters is an activity in itself. We love it when we can turn any craft project into another type of learning activity.
Even if, for now, they think you spell love, W-U-V. I want cherish the moments and thought my husband would also appreciate the WUV.
Step 1: Pick Out Saying
Pick out the saying that you want to be on your canvas. We decided to spell “I WUV DAD”, partly because I couldn’t find another E and also because that is how my little kiddos say “Love.”
Step 2: Paint The Letters
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.
Step 3: Let Wooden Letters Dry
Once the wooden letters are painted, set them aside.
Step 4: Paint Tints Of Colors
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.
Step 5: Glue Letters On Canvas Once Dry
Allow all parts to dry. Once canvas and letters are dry, carefully use glue to collage the pieces to create the final DIY word canvas.
Step 6: Display Somewhere Special
You can frame, prop, or check out one of our cool art display ideas.
Optional Final Step
Seal Canvas With Mod Podge
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.
If you use washable paint a spray may work better as you could possibly smear what your child created.
Seal With Spray
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 onto the canvas.
How To Do This As An Adult Craft
Instead of using acrylic craft paint, glue the letters directly to the canvas. Use spray paint to cover the canvas completely for simple and cheap word art.
Craft FAQs
Acrylic paint is more permanent and will stick to the canvas better. However, that also means it could stain clothing and be harder to clean up. Washable tempera paint is a safer bet, but some areas may chip off over time.
We love gallery-wrapped canvases because the staples are hidden in the back and the edges are deeper. Simply paint the entire canvas including the edges and there is no need to frame it! They are more expensive though so that might persuade you otherwise. Pay attention to sales where you can sometimes get them for 60% off at Michaels and other craft stores.
Canvas boards would be a good cheaper alternative.
We love using Elmer’s Glue-All For all sorts of crafts. It can work on a variety of surfaces. Just be careful because it is not washable like the regular school glue.
No, you can leave the painted canvas as is.
Follow us on Pinterest, YouTube or Facebook for more DIY inspiration!
Related Craft Projects
This DIY canvas word art project truly shows that art is for everyone!
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.
| 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 |
Easy Canvas Craft For Kids
Equipment
- Paintbrushes
- Adults: Spray Paint
Supplies
- Blank Canvas more expensive gallery wrapped ones
- Optional: Canvas Board
- Wooden Letters
- Wooden Letters different set for variety
- Craft Paint preferably acrylic
- Glue All
Instructions
- 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”.
- Paint the letters using the main colors (not white). You want there to be some contrast between the words and the background.
- 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.
- Allow all parts to dry. Once canvas and letters are dry, carefully use glue to collage the pieces to create the final DIY word canvas.
- Let dry and give to that special family member.
- Optional: Use a clear coat or mod podge to seal the canvas.
Notes
- 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!
-
For adults: Instead of using acrylic craft paint, glue the letters directly to the canvas. Use spray paint to cover the canvas completely for simple and cheap word art.
I love that you got 2 projects out of one! So cute!!!
Thanks! I love it when simple art projects can have two completely different outcomes!
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
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!
We have holidays coming up and this looks like the perfect project for an afternoon (and morning if we go shopping for supplies).
clever! as a woman w/o kids i love when people post craft ideas i can do too.
Joy at The Joyous Living
What an adorable idea! My son was just saying how he wants to paint. This looks like the project we are going to do!
Thanks Monica! It really is a pretty easy art project for kids or even adults!
What a fun idea! This is great for little ones who can’t write yet, but to spread a special message! Thanks for sharing!
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.
Super cute! I love it! And so easy for the kids to help with!
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!
I love this fun project, Erin! I especially love that it’s something fun you can do with your little people!
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!
What a great craft project for kids!
Thanks for the kind words. I love anything that keeps the kids being creative, especially craft projects!
This is so cute and I love the WUV, way too adorable! Great craft for the kid’s thanks so much, Erin!
Hi Jenn. Thanks again for your kind words. My children sure had fun creating this Father’s Day artwork present for him
I’m not particularly good at crafts but this is something I think I’d do
Hi Marie! This DIY word canvas art project is pretty easy and I think you should be able to channel your creative side!
Great idea for the entire family! I pinned it!!!
Happy 4th of July,
Kippi
Hi Kippi. I hope you have a great 4th of July! I love when DIY projects are for the whole family!
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.
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!
I love this idea! It teaches spelling at the same time as creating art. I absolutely love it!
You are so very good at crafts and I lack that spark. I think I should give this a try
Hi Supriya. You can TOTALLY do this DIY craft. It is a super easy craft for adults or kids! Good luck!
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!
Hi, Jenn. My kids loved making this for their dad! I also love that I have simple and easy artworks for my bathroom.
These are so cute! I would never have thought to do this. My kids would love it. They love painting!
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!