Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding the Magic of Cubism
- Project 1: The Multi-View Cubist Portrait
- Project 2: Recycled Cardboard Cubist Sculptures
- Project 3: Still Life Fragmented Art
- Why Cubism is a "Secret" STEM Lesson
- Bringing Art into the Kitchen
- Tips for Parents and Educators
- Expanding the Experience: Beyond the Paper
- Common Challenges and Solutions
- The Lasting Impact of Hands-On Art
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
It usually starts with a puzzled look and a very honest question: "Why is that person’s nose on the side of their ear?" If you have ever taken a child to an art museum or flipped through a book of modern masterpieces, you have likely encountered the beautiful confusion of a Cubist painting. To a child, these images look like a puzzle that was put back together in the wrong order. To an educator or a parent, this "wrong order" is actually a golden opportunity to teach geometry, perspective, and creative problem-solving.
At I'm the Chef Too!, we believe that the best way to understand complex concepts is to get your hands messy and try them yourself. Whether you are working at a kitchen table or in a busy classroom, a cubism art project for kids is more than just a drawing lesson. It is a chance to blend math, science, and fine art into one cohesive experience. If you love that kind of hands-on learning, you can also join The Chef’s Club for a new adventure every month.
By the end of this article, you will have a toolkit of activities that encourage children to see the world from multiple angles at once. We will explore how simple shapes build complex structures and how "breaking" a picture can actually help us understand it better. Let’s dive into the world of cubes, cones, and creative thinking.
Understanding the Magic of Cubism
Before we pick up a paintbrush or a pair of scissors, it helps to understand what makes Cubism so special for young learners. Most traditional art tries to capture a single moment from a single point of view, much like a photograph. Cubism does the opposite. It tries to show you an object from many different angles, all at the same time.
Imagine you are looking at a coffee mug. From the front, you see the curve of the side. From the top, you see a circle. From the side, you see the loop of the handle. A Cubist artist doesn’t want to choose just one of those views. They want to show you the "whole" mug by flattening all those perspectives onto one page.
For kids, this is a naturally engaging concept. Children don't always think in linear, photographic ways. They often draw what they know is there, rather than just what they see. If they know a person has two eyes, they might draw both eyes even if the person is standing sideways. Cubism tells them that this way of thinking isn't just okay—it’s a celebrated art form.
The STEM Connection: Geometry and Perspective
When we talk about a cubism art project for kids, we are actually talking about a lesson in geometry. The movement was founded on the idea that everything in nature can be traced back to basic shapes: the sphere, the cone, and the cylinder.
When children participate in these projects, they are practicing:
- Spatial Reasoning: Understanding how 3D objects can be represented on a 2D surface.
- Geometric Decomposition: Breaking a complex image (like a face) down into simpler polygons.
- Measurement and Scale: Using rulers and tools to create precise angles and lines.
Project 1: The Multi-View Cubist Portrait
This is the most iconic cubism art project for kids. It focuses on the human face, which is a subject children are already familiar with. By rearranging the features, kids learn about anatomy while also exploring abstract expression.
Materials Needed
- Heavy drawing paper or cardstock
- A pencil and an eraser
- A black permanent marker for outlining
- Colorful media (crayons, oil pastels, or markers)
- A ruler
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Draw the "Master Shape" / Start by having the child draw a large oval or a unique head shape in the center of the paper. Encourage them to make it big so there is plenty of room for the "mixed-up" features.
Step 2: Create the Dividing Line / Use a ruler to draw a vertical line down the middle of the face. Instead of a straight line, make it a "profile" line. This means the line should follow the shape of a forehead, a nose, a mouth, and a chin as if someone were looking to the side.
Step 3: Mix the Perspectives / On one side of the line, draw an eye as if the person is looking directly at you. On the other side, draw an eye from the side (a triangle shape). Do the same for the mouth—half might be smiling forward, while the other half is a side view.
Step 4: Fragment the Background / Use the ruler to draw several straight lines across the entire page, passing through the face and the background. This creates "shards" or "panes" of space, which is a classic Cubist technique.
Step 5: Outline and Color / Trace all pencil lines with a thick black marker. Then, fill in each section with a different color. Remind the children that the colors don't have to be "realistic." A blue nose or a green cheek is perfect for this style.
Key Takeaway: Cubism teaches children that there is no "right" way to see a subject. By combining a profile view and a frontal view, they learn to visualize objects in three dimensions.
Project 2: Recycled Cardboard Cubist Sculptures
If you want to move from 2D drawing to 3D engineering, cardboard is your best friend. This project introduces the "Analytical Cubism" phase, where objects are broken down and rebuilt as physical structures.
The Benefit of Using Recycled Materials
Using cardboard scraps teaches kids about sustainability while also providing a sturdy medium for building layers. Cubism is all about layers and "facets," so building upward makes the concept very easy to see.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Base / Cut a large square or rectangle from a shipping box to serve as the "canvas."
Step 2: Create the Feature Scraps / Cut out various geometric shapes from thinner cardboard (like cereal boxes). You will need triangles for noses, circles or almonds for eyes, and rectangles for lips.
Step 3: Arrange and Layer / Before gluing, have the child arrange the shapes on the base. Encourage them to overlap the pieces. Overlapping is a key part of Cubist art because it shows how different parts of an object can occupy the same space in our minds.
Step 4: Add Texture and Height / Use small "spacers" (tiny cubes of cardboard) to glue some features higher than others. This adds a physical "STEM" element as kids have to balance the pieces and ensure the structure is stable.
Step 5: Paint with Bold Colors / Use tempera or acrylic paint to decorate the sculpture. Using contrasting colors for different layers helps the individual shapes stand out.
Quick Answer: How do you explain Cubism to a child? Tell them it’s like taking a picture of something, cutting it into shapes, and putting it back together so you can see the front, the side, and the top all at once!
Project 3: Still Life Fragmented Art
A "still life" is a drawing of objects that don't move, like a bowl of fruit or a vase of flowers. In a cubism art project for kids, we take a normal still life and "shatter" it like a mirror.
The Educational Angle
This project is excellent for teaching kids about "positive and negative space." They have to look at the object (the positive space) and the area around it (the negative space) and treat them as equally important.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Choose Three Objects / Pick three simple items from around the house, such as an apple, a mug, and a book. Place them on a table.
Step 2: Sketch the Objects / Have the child sketch all three objects on one paper. Tell them it’s okay if the objects overlap or look "transparent."
Step 3: The "Shatter" Technique / Take a ruler and draw 5 to 7 long lines across the paper in different directions. It should look like a giant spiderweb or a cracked window.
Step 4: Color Shifting / This is the fun part. When a line passes through an object, the child must change the color or the shade of that object. If the apple is red on one side of the line, it might be dark red or purple on the other side.
Step 5: Background Integration / The background sections should also be colored in a way that mimics the shapes of the objects. This helps the whole "shattered" image feel like one single piece of art.
Why Cubism is a "Secret" STEM Lesson
We often think of art and science as two different worlds, but Cubism is the bridge between them. When children engage in a cubism art project for kids, they are performing many of the same tasks a scientist or engineer does.
Mathematical Thinking
To create a Cubist work, you must understand polygons. Kids have to decide if a nose is more like a scalene triangle or an isosceles triangle. They have to understand how a circle becomes an ellipse when tilted. These are fundamental geometry skills that are much more fun to learn with a paintbrush than with a worksheet.
Scientific Observation
Cubism requires "active looking." Instead of drawing a "symbol" of an eye, the child has to really look at the shapes that make up an eye. They have to observe how light hits different facets of an object. This mirrors the scientific method: observation, analysis, and then recording the findings.
Engineering and Structure
In our 3D cardboard project, kids are learning about structural integrity. They have to figure out how to stack layers so they don't fall over. They are learning about "relief," which is a concept used in architecture and civil engineering to describe how much a design sticks out from a flat surface.
Bringing Art into the Kitchen
At I'm the Chef Too!, we love taking these artistic concepts and moving them into the culinary world. Cooking is, after all, another form of art and science combined. You can actually apply Cubist principles to food styling and baking.
For example, when you look at our Galaxy Donut Kit, you are teaching children about abstract patterns and how different colors can swirl together to create a sense of depth. While a donut is a 3D object (a torus!), the way we decorate it involves seeing it from multiple perspectives.
Similarly, our Erupting Volcano Cakes Kit allows kids to build a dramatic treat out of geometric shapes. They use circles for the base and layered forms for the volcano, learning how these parts fit together to create a whole. This is the very essence of Cubism—taking simple parts and building something complex and wonderful.
Key Takeaway: Whether you are using cardboard, clay, or cookie dough, breaking objects down into geometric shapes is the best way to understand how the world is built.
Tips for Parents and Educators
Working on a cubism art project for kids can be a bit messy and unpredictable. Here are some ways to ensure the experience is joyful and educational for everyone involved.
Manage Expectations
A Cubist project is supposed to look "weird." If a child is frustrated because their drawing doesn't look "real," remind them that the goal is to show how they think about the object, not just how it looks. Show them pictures of Pablo Picasso’s work and point out how he intentionally moved the features around.
Focus on the Process
The learning happens during the "breaking down" phase. Ask questions like:
- "What shape do you see inside that apple?"
- "If you were a bird looking down at this table, what would you see?"
- "How can we use a ruler to make this look like it's made of glass?"
Use Quality Materials
While you don't need expensive supplies, using paper that can handle a bit of moisture (if using paint) or markers that don't bleed too much will make the final result much more satisfying. We always recommend pre-measuring and organizing your supplies before you start, much like we do in our cooking kits, to keep the focus on the fun rather than the clutter.
Connect it to History
Briefly mention that Cubism started over 100 years ago in France. Mention names like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. You don't need to give a long lecture—just a few sentences to let them know they are part of a long tradition of "rebel artists" who decided to change the rules of art.
Expanding the Experience: Beyond the Paper
Once your child has finished their first cubism art project for kids, they might be hungry for more creative challenges. The great thing about "edutainment" is that one activity often leads to another.
- Photography Cubism: Take several photos of a single object from different angles. Print them out, cut them into squares, and glue them back together in a mixed-up way.
- Nature Cubism: Go for a walk and collect leaves or stones. Try to arrange them on the ground to form a "Cubist" face or animal.
- Kitchen Cubism: Slice fruits like apples, oranges, and kiwis into different geometric shapes. Have your child "plate" them to look like an abstract face. Not only is it a lesson in art, but it’s also a healthy snack!
Our subscription, The Chef's Club, is designed specifically for this kind of ongoing curiosity. Every month, we deliver a new adventure that blends these themes. One month might be about the science of space, while another is about the geometry of nature. It’s a perfect way to keep the hands-on learning going all year long without the stress of planning everything yourself.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: The child wants everything to be "perfect." Solution: Introduce the "blind contour" drawing technique. Have them draw the object without looking at their paper. This breaks the habit of trying to be realistic and gets them comfortable with "silly" or distorted lines.
Challenge: The project is taking too long for a short attention span. Solution: Work on smaller pieces of paper. Instead of a full poster, do a "Cubist Postcard." This makes the task feel more manageable and allows them to finish in one sitting.
Challenge: The kid doesn't know what colors to use. Solution: Use a "limited palette." Give them only three colors (like red, blue, and yellow) and tell them they have to mix all their other colors from those three. This adds a lesson in color theory to the art project.
Bottom line: Cubism is the perfect "mistake-friendly" art form. It teaches kids that "different" is often more interesting than "perfect," which is a vital lesson for building confidence in both art and STEM.
The Lasting Impact of Hands-On Art
When we teach children to look at a face and see a collection of triangles and circles, we are teaching them to analyze the world. We are giving them the tools to deconstruct big problems into smaller, manageable pieces. This is a skill that will serve them well in math class, in the science lab, and in their everyday lives.
A cubism art project for kids is also a fantastic way to bond as a family. There is something very special about sitting down together, surrounded by scraps of paper and open jars of paint, and creating something that didn't exist before. It is the antidote to the passive entertainment of screens. It requires focus, physical movement, and imagination.
At I'm the Chef Too!, we are proud to support parents and educators in this mission. Our school and group programmes and our kits are all designed with this "multi-angled" approach to learning. We want kids to see that science is beautiful, art is logical, and everything is more fun when you do it together.
Conclusion
Cubism might seem complicated at first glance, but at its heart, it is simply a new way of seeing. By encouraging your children to participate in a cubism art project for kids, you are inviting them to think like architects and dream like artists. You are showing them that "breaking" the rules of traditional perspective can lead to amazing discoveries.
Whether you are drawing mixed-up portraits, building cardboard sculptures, or exploring geometric shapes in the kitchen, remember that the goal is the experience itself. The laughter, the "aha!" moments, and the slightly messy fingers are all signs of a child who is deeply engaged in learning.
Ready to start your next adventure? Whether you choose to dive into a DIY art project today or explore our full kit collection, the most important step is to just start. Grab some paper, find some shapes, and see the world through a new lens.
Key Takeaway: Cubism isn't just about art history; it's a hands-on way to practice the geometry and spatial reasoning skills that form the foundation of STEM education.
Next Steps for Creative Families:
- Gather your cardboard scraps and try the 3D sculpture project this weekend.
- Check out the geometry STEM projects guide for more shape-based learning.
- Share your child's Cubist masterpiece on the fridge—every artist needs a gallery!
FAQ
What age is appropriate for a Cubism art project?
Cubism is surprisingly accessible for children as young as five. Younger children enjoy the simple task of drawing "mixed-up" faces and using geometric shapes, while older kids (ages 8–12) can dive deeper into the math of perspective and the history of the movement. If you want more hands-on ideas that fit a wide age range, 10 Fun Shapes STEM Activities for Your Young Learner is a helpful next stop.
Do I need special art supplies for these projects?
Not at all! Most Cubism projects can be done with basic household items like paper, pencils, markers, and recycled cardboard. The focus is on the concepts of shape and perspective rather than expensive materials. For more inspiration with simple materials, try Picasso craft ideas for kids.
How does Cubism relate to STEM?
Cubism is deeply rooted in geometry and spatial reasoning. It requires kids to identify 2D shapes within 3D objects, understand how angles change based on viewpoint, and use measurement tools like rulers to create structured compositions. You can also build on those ideas with geometry STEM projects for even more shape-focused learning.
Who are the most famous Cubist artists to show my kids?
Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque are the two founders of the movement. You can also look up Juan Gris, who used very bold colors and clear geometric lines that are often very appealing and easy to understand for children.
