Art ideas for kids don’t get easier than the ephemeral art project I have for you today: Watercolor on Tile. Bonus: You don’t even need paper! All you need are watercolors, brushes, and water.

I love painting on untraditional surfaces. Painting on things other than paper or canvas really changes the way you look at art. Of course everyone loves traditional techniques but once in awhile it’s fun to think outside the box simply by suggesting a novel way to create art. Today’s project does just that.

And if you don’t have tiles try this on a concrete sidewalk!

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Easy Art Ideas for Kids: Watercolor on Tile

Materials

Watercolor Cakes
Water/Container
Large bristle brushes
Tile or concrete paving

Instructions

This is one-step project! Simply wet the watercolor cakes with water and paint! Because it’s watercolor, the paint will eventually fade away when washed with water.

Even my toddler wanted in on the action though mostly he just wanted to spill the water…

Looks Like

The Spanish Village Art Center. If you have been to San Diego, Balboa Park is a not-to-miss destination. And for me the highlight of the park is the tile paving at the Spanish Village Art Center. It will blow your mind. Thousands of colored flagstone tiles adorn this mini village of artist’s studios. It’s such a simple way to completely transform a space and I never forgot it. In fact it absolutely the inspiration behind today’s project.

Conclusion

I love ephemeral art ideas. So much of the time we think of art as precious but often the process of making or the temporary nature of an installation gives us more freedom to play. Kids and adults forget they are making art and focus on having fun. That simple permission to just try something without worrying about whether it will look good or not is one of the best ways to open up your creative spirit. Painting on tile with watercolors, a decidedly impermanent art piece, is a simple way to tune into your inner artist and at the same time add a fanciful, temporary touch to your patio or schoolyard.