This washi tape art project is a frugal, fun, and mess-free activity to enjoy with your kids.
With just a few supplies, your children (and you!) will be able to easily create artwork that you’ll be proud to display. My boys and I had a blast with our washi tape resist art! And I love how you can customize this project to use for any holiday or season.
I’m sharing how to make this DIY art project plus ideas for using. Get ready for a bunch of simple art fun!
Relaxed and Fun Art Time with Kids
When you think of art time with kids, do you see lots of paint splashes and splatter? Or maybe you envision gathering and preparing a lot of expensive supplies? Perhaps you cringe at what the final art project might look like?
Well, I’m happy to share that art time with kids can actually be a relaxed and fun experience for all!
Homeschool art has been an amazing opportunity for my boys and me to connect. At first, I was intimidated at the thought of trying to organize and conduct art activities with five boys with eleven years between oldest and youngest. Instead of just dropping the idea altogether, I decided to move forward with simple projects that could be enjoyed by all (including me!).
This washi tape art project has been a favorite for all of us. We love getting out these frugal supplies for making all sorts of cool art. These tape resist projects turn out so cool. In fact, I actually like to hang this artwork around our home!
Recommended Materials for Your DIY Tape Resist Project
This project only requires a few supplies. And it features one of our favorite art materials – Kwik Stix!
Not familiar with Kwik Stix? No worries! These tempera paint sticks are easy to use and affordable. You use them like glue sticks but the end result resembles paint.
Kwik Stix is my #1 recommendation for tempera paint sticks. If you like, try other brands and see what you think.
The materials for this washi tape art project include:
- Canvas (in whatever size you’d like for your final project)
- Washi tape (or painter’s tape)
- Kwik Stix
How to Make This Washi Tape Art Project
Follow these simple step-by-step directions for this DIY tape resist activity. As with any art project, feel free to tweak the instructions and get creative!
How does tape resist work? The washi tape will block the tempera paint from being applied to the canvas. When the Kwik Stix applications are quickly dried, you will be able to carefully remove the washi tape to reveal an incredible work of art!
01
Gather your supplies
Collect and organize your supplies for this DIY project. You will need canvas, Kwik Stix (or other tempera paint sticks), and washi tape.
01
Create design
Make lines on the canvas using washi tape. Add as many lines of washi tape as you’d like.
03
Use Kwik Stix
Select the colors of tempera paint that you would like on the canvas. Use the Kwik Stix to fill in the white spaces.
Lightly apply for a soft effect. Add more tempera paint if you’d like a darker effect.
04
Remove washi tape
When the Kwik Stix applications have thoroughly dried (should not take too long!), carefully remove the washi tape.
Ideas for Adapting This Art Project
This DIY tape resist activity can be tweaked in so many ways! The washi tape (or painter’s tape) can be used to create different designs. Kwik Stix comes in a variety of colors, including shimmery effects.
Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks, 60 Pastel Colors, Washable Paint Sticks for Kids, Super Quick Drying, Non-Toxic, Allergen Free, Paint Sticks Class Pack Pastel Colors, Paint for Kids and ToddlersThe Pencil Grip Kwik Stix Solid Paint Pens, Assorted Skin Tones, Pack of 14Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks, 10 Pastel Colors, Washable Paint Sticks for Kids, Super Quick Drying, Non-Toxic, Allergen Free, Paint Sticks in Pastel Colors, Paint for Kids and ToddlersKwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks, 72 Neon Colors, Washable Paint Sticks for Kids, Super Quick Drying, Non-Toxic, Allergen Free, Paint Sticks Class Pack in Neon Colors, Paint for Kids and ToddlersThe Pencil Grip Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paints, Thin Stix Paint Pens, Super Quick Drying, 6 Neon, 6 Metalix & 12 Classic Vibrant Colors – 24 Pack – TPG-620Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks, 10 Jewel Colors, Washable Paint Sticks for Kids, Super Quick Drying, Non-Toxic, Allergen Free, Paint Sticks in Jewel Colors, Paint for Kids and ToddlersKwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks, 6 Metallic Colors, Washable Paint Sticks for Kids, Super Quick Drying, Non-Toxic, Allergen Free, Paint Sticks in Metallic Colors, Paint for Kids and Toddlers
You can go with traditional white canvas. To get a unique look, try other colors of canvas (like black) with light colors of Kwik Stix.
Play with the patterns and shapes that make with the tape.
14 Packs Stretched Canvases for Painting, Multi Pack 11×14, 9.44×12, 8×10, 5×7, 4×4, Round Canvas with 8×8,10×10(2 of Each), Blank Primed Canvas, for Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, for Beginners, Artists.12 Pcs Black Canvas for Painting Stretched Canvas Cotton Square Triangle Hexagon Canvas Blank Boards Panels Art Canvas with Frame Panel Stretched Boards for Oil Acrylic (6 Inch)Piokio Colored Washi Tape 10 Roll Multi Pack – 164 Feet x 15mm Wide Set Rainbow Solid Color Tape for Egg Decorating, DIY School Supplies48 Rolls Washi Tape Set – Decorative Masking Tape Colored Marbling Patterns, Adhesive Artists Tapes for Journaling Supplies, DIY Crafts, Scrapbooking, Junk Journal Supplies, School Supplies
Want to add a touch of fancy to your washi tape art project? First, block off the center of the canva with washi tape. Select a color (or colors) of tempera paint sticks and use to make a “frame”. When dry, remove washi tape and apply for the main design.
Another idea is to use the washi tape to form numbers or letters. You could do the first letter of your name (or last name). If a birthday is coming up, make a washi tape art project with the age to celebrate! Letters and numbers could also be used for interesting classroom or homeschool posters.
Creative Ways to Use and Enjoy Your Washi Tape Art
How can you display your DIY project? Consider your home, homeschool space, and classroom area.
We have a few nails or wall hangers in our homeschool area (a.k.a. dining room) and rotate our tape resist art work. A few of my boys have their artwork in their bedrooms. And our power room has one, too!
You can customize these art projects for any holiday, season, or day of the year. Make some washi tape art for:
- Fall (with orange, yellow, brown, and red)
- Halloween (with black, yellow, orange, and white)
- Thanksgiving (with brown, yellow, and orange)
- Christmas (with red, green, silver, gold, and white)
- Winter (different shades of blue, white, and silver)
- Valentine’s Day (red, pink, and purple)
- St. Patrick’s Day (dark and light green, gold)
- Spring (pastel colors, like pink, yellow, purple, light green, and light blue)
- Easter (more pastel colors!)
- Earth Day (featuring blue and green)
- Mother’s Day (use pink and purple – or whatever color mom prefers)
- Father’s Day (use blue and dad’s favorite colors)
- Summer (bright, bold colors can be fun)
Fun days can be wonderful features, too. For example, washi tape to block out the Pi math symbol and use to decorate for Pi Day (March 14).
An Art Activity That You Can Feel Good About!
Isn’t it nice to know that you can enjoy a less-mess art project with kids? AND be able to hang that artwork up with a smile!
⭐ Got questions about how to make this washi tape art project? Or do you have ideas on how to customize? Please share in the comments area at the bottom of this post!
