Arts and crafts teach essential skills and boost confidence and creativity. Try these 5 art projects for autistic students in your classroom!
One in every 59 children born in the United States is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
No matter where they fall on the autism spectrum, this disorder can make it difficult for them to enjoy activities that come easily to other children. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t still enjoy arts and crafts!
Instead, it means that parents and teachers need to learn how to choose art projects that are easier for them to take on while still feeling safe and comfortable.
Keep reading to learn 5 fun ideas for art projects for autistic students!
1. Ice Cube Watercolors
The best crafts for kids with autism are those that simplify similar projects. This ice cube watercolor activity is a great example.
Rather than getting out a tray of watercolor paints and trying to teach a child how to properly mix the water and paint, this project offers a simple solution.
You’ll need an ice tray (one you don’t plan to use in the future for anything other than crafts) and some watercolor paints.
Mix watercolors with water, and pour them into the ice tray. You can separate colors into the different spaces in the tray. Then, freeze the tray.
Once the cubes are frozen, pop them out and head outside. You can either use thick, sturdy paper or canvas. Give your child the ice cubes and show them how to rub them against their paper or canvas.
As the ice begins to melt, the colors will transfer to the white surface!
This craft can get messy quickly. Either have the child wear old clothing, or be sure to choose watercolor paint that promises to come clean in the wash.
Modifying this Project
As mentioned above, children with sensory or modality issues might struggle to handle the ice for this project. If this is the case, you can always try out traditional watercolors instead, with a few simple modifications.
Choose a paintbrush with a large handle that is easy to grip. Stick to just two or three complementary colors, as they are likely to quickly get mixed and blended anyway.
You can also pre-mix the colors to eliminate the difficulty of mixing water and color as the child goes along. Simply remove the watercolor tabs from the tray and place each in a small cup. Add water and let your child paint away!
2. Make Edible Play Dough
Play Dough can be a great sensory activity for any child. But young children and those with autism may be tempted to taste the colorful dough, which can lead to upset stomachs and other reactions.
Luckily, edible play dough is easy to make and just as much fun to play with!
Edible Play Dough Recipe
To make your edible play dough, you’ll need:
- 2 cups of water
- 5 cups of white flour
- 5 cups of salt
- 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar
- 2 packages of unsweetened Kool-Aid (this will be the color of your playdough!)
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Start by bringing the water to a boil. In a separate bowl, combine the cream of tartar, Kool-Aid, salt, and flour. Whisk until they are combined and form a smooth powder, then stir in the vegetable oil.
Once the water has cooled slightly, pour it over the mixture and stir it with a spoon.
Sprinkle a small amount of flour on your clean countertop or baking sheet, then dump the mixture on top. You’ll want to knead the dough until it is soft but not sticky.
Enjoying the Play Dough
Then, let your child’s imagination run wild! Some children may enjoy using cookie cutters to make shapes or trying to create figures out of the dough. Others will simply like squishing, ripping, and kneading the dough.
There’s no wrong way to play with edible Play Dough!
3. Finger Painting with Latex Gloves
Finger painting is another fun craft that can sometimes be overwhelming for a child with autism. Even if the messy paint doesn’t bother the child, trying to help him or her clean up afterward can be a nightmare.
Having a child wear disposable gloves can make clean-up a breeze. It also provides a child with autism with a stimulating new sensory activity.
Be sure to still choose washable finger paint, and have the child wear older clothing. Consider setting this activity up outside where the mess won’t matter.
Make sure that a child is not allergic to latex as well. If you’re unsure of whether he or she has ever been exposed to latex, watch for possible signs of an allergy, particularly in autistic children who are unable to communicate to let you know that they are feeling ill. Disposable gloves for children that are latex-free (as well as powder-free) are available to avoid possible allergies.
Take Finger Painting to the Next Level as Art Projects for Autistic Students
For a fun twist on this simple project, use tape or letter stickers to create shapes or spell out words on a canvas. Then, let your child paint the canvas however they like.
Once the paint has dried, carefully peel away the stickers or tape to reveal your message or design in white, with a fun painted background.
This is a great way to let your child create decorations for his or her room, or to create fun decor for your classroom!
4. Marble Painting
If you are looking for art for kids with autism who struggle with sensory activities, marble painting offers a great alternative to other paint projects.
With this fun activity, the child will never have to touch the paint or even a brush. Yet it’s still one of the more fun art projects for autistic students.
Start with a cardboard box that is small enough for the child to hold in his or her hands. A shoebox without the lid works great!
If your box has a lid or top flaps, cut these off so that they won’t get in the way.
Next, place a blank sheet of white paper at the bottom of the box. If the box is much larger than your paper, place a small piece of tape on the bottom of the paper to hold it in place. Don’t use too much, as you don’t want your paper to tear when you remove it later on.
Next, add a glob or two of paint. If you choose to use more than one color, keep in mind that they will get mixed. Pick colors that will look good when combined, like red and white, blue and green, or yellow and orange.
Add a marble or two to the box. These can be any size.
Finally, place plastic wrap over the opening of the box. Secure it on the sides so that it won’t easily slip off.
Give the box to the child and tell them to tip and tilt the box. Doing so will cause the marbles to spread the paint in fun patterns and shapes!
Things to Keep in Mind Before Marble Painting
While marble painting does help to keep your child’s hands clean and your workplace free of messes, the same may not be true for every child.
This project is best for older children who won’t be tempted to shake, toss, or drop the box. Doing so can cause the plastic wrap to come loose, leaving you with a mess!
5. Sensory Bottles
Another great craft project that doubles as a fun sensory activity once it’s finished is sensory bottles.
There are tons of ways to create these. Some recipes call for glitter and glue, while others utilize sand. These varieties can double as art projects for autistic students.
One easy alternative that children can help create is rice bottles.
Start with an empty, clean, clear water bottle. It’s best to use plastic rather than glass to avoid any injuries if the bottle gets dropped. Next, use a funnel to add rice to the bottle. You can even ask the child to pour the rice to get them involved in this step!
Leave at least an inch at the top of the bottle empty. This will give you room to mix and shake the sand after the next step.
Next, you will need some small items that will fit into the bottle. Depending on the size of your bottle’s opening, this could be beads, small charms, and even plastic figurines. Let the child choose which items to add, and let him or her drop them into the bottle.
When you’re finished adding items, put the lid back on the bottle, tightly secure it, and hand it to the child. Tell them to shake it up!
Using Sensory Bottles
Once finished, sensory bottles make for great activities to keep children busy.
Tell them to look for certain items, or even just let them enjoy the sound and feel of moving and shaking the bottle.
How to Choose Art Projects for Autistic Students
Every child, whether they are on the autism spectrum or not, is unique. A craft that one child enjoys might be boring or even difficult for the next.
This is especially true for children with autism. Some may have sensory issues that can make certain activities uncomfortable or even scary.
Others may suffer from modality issues or other physical disabilities that can make certain crafts or activities impossible.
Choosing the right art projects for autistic students can ensure that they enjoy themselves and feel safe and secure while doing so!
