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You are here: Home / Winter / Polar Bear Art Project for Kids

Polar Bear Art Project for Kids

By Vin Giannetto 1 Comment · This content may contain affiliate links.

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The winter season is a great time to introduce arctic animals to young artists. The magical and beautiful polar bear is often a favorite during winter theme activities! Today we’ll use sponges, cardboard, and erasers to paint polar bears at night in this fun polar bear art project for kids. Children will be introduced to a variety of painting techniques while hopping and stamping along. 

Polar Bear Art Project-Winter Art for Kids
FIND A FULL WEEK OF ARCTIC THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE LESSON PLANS
FOR HOME PRESCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

Sponge Painting with Kids

Before I introduce paint brushes to young children I always begin with sponge brushes. Gripping the sponge brush is much more manageable and the repetitive up and down or hopping motion is both engaging and fun!

Polar Bear Craft for Kids-Paint Project for Winter

Children are able to express themselves through the painting process and see immediate results. Sponge painting is ideal for improving eye and hand coordination and fine motor skill development. I often infuse music into the painting process as we sing “hop, hop, hop, all over the polar bear” and his black skin becomes white fur. 

No sponge brushes on hand? No problem! You can make an easy DIY version with pom poms and clothespins as shown in our painting with pom poms post.

Polar Bear Facts for Kids

As you introduce this polar bear art project it can be fun to weave in a bit of science with these fun facts about polar bears.

  1. Polar bears live in cold climates.
  2. Polar bears have a great sense of smell. 
  3. Polar bears love to eat seals.
  4. Polar bears have 42 teeth.
  5. Polar bears have black skin and transparent fur that appears white.
Polar Bear Craft for Kids-Materials

Materials for Polar Bear Art Project:

  • Black Construction Paper
  • Newspaper
  • Sponge Brush
  • Pencil
  • Black Marker
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Cardboard
  • White Tempera Paint
  • Metallic Silver Tempera Paint
Polar Bear Craft for Kids

Step by Step Directions:

1. Draw 

 Begin to draw the polar bear by making a large circle for the head, a thick neck that extends to the bottom of the paper, and two round ears. Oftentimes, I encourage my students to pretend to draw with their fingers before they use a pencil. This can help with self-correcting and build confidence. 

Polar Bear Winter Art Project-Sample Steps

2. Paint Without Paintbrushes

Sponges:

Use a sponge brush to fill in the entire polar bear. Be sure to hop, hop, hop with the brush to turn the black skin of the polar bear into white fur. 

Cardboard:

Use a piece of cardboard as a printing tool by dipping one end into silver paint and stamping lines in a circular pattern to form stars.

Pencil:

Use the eraser end of a pencil to stamp snowflakes in the sky. Dip the eraser in white paint and hop about. Feel free to create just a few snow flurries or even a snowstorm if you wish. 

Polar Bear Craft for Kids-Details

3. Cut & Glue

Cut out two eyes, and two small ears from a piece of newspaper. Create a protruding facial feature by cutting out a diamond from newspaper and trimming all four points. Cut out a black oval for the nose. Glue the pieces to the polar bear. 

Polar Bear Craft for Kids-Facial Features up close

4. Dress it Up!

Use a black marker to add details such as a mouth, eyeballs, eyelashes, and/or eyebrows. Add additional details such as bows and bow ties with construction paper. 

Polar Bear Winter Art Project for Kids

Extend this Art Activity

  1. Describe the weather in your artwork. 
  2. What time of day is it?
  3. What shapes can you identify in your work?
  4. What colors can you identify in your work?
  5. What painting tool did you enjoy painting with the most? Least? Why?
Polar Bear Winter Art Project for Kids-Collage Art and Paint Project

Art and Literacy

I recommend the book Bedtime for Little Bears by David Bedford. The book centers on a bear cub who doesn’t want to go to sleep. He meets a few arctic friends amongst the snowscape and soon enough little bear is fast asleep. 

Be sure to tag your artwork on Instagram with @fantasticfunandlearning and @youngschoolartwithmr.g. We can’t wait to see your cute and furry polar bears! 

Polar Bear Craft-Winter Art Project for Kids

CONNECT WITH VIN GIANNETTO

Learn more about Vin here on his author bio page. Follow along with him on Facebook at Young School Art with Mr. Giannetto and on Instagram @youngschoolartwithmr.g for art project ideas.

MORE ART AND CRAFT PROJECT IDEAS FROM VIN

Winter and Winter Holiday Art Projects for Kids

Click on the images below to see the full tutorial for each art project.

Torn paper penguin craft. Winter art project for kids
Cardinals in Winter-Art Project and Winter Craft for Kids
Paint with Snowballs Snowman Art for Kids. Winter art project for preschool and kindergarten
Color Wheel Christmas Ornament Art Project
Coffee filter snowflake art projects. Winter art activity for kids
Ice Painting Process Art for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Christmas Tree Loose Parts Play Sensory Art Project for Kids with natural materials Christmas Craft for Kids-Loose Parts Play Christmas Tree Art Project
Bumble Bee Valentines Art Project for Kids
Polar Bear Art Project Winter Art for Kids
Potato Masher Snowman Art Project Winter Craft for Kids
Kids will love exploring a new painting technique as they create tinfoil process art Christmas ornaments in this fun Christmas art project for kids.

MORE ARCTIC FUN WITH PRINTABLE ARCTIC THEME LESSON PLANS

Save time and get right to the playful learning with our printable lesson plan sets. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provided different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.

GET YOUR LESSON PLANS

Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

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Filed Under: Art, Kindergarten, School Age, Winter

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Comments

  1. Michelle

    January 16, 2023 at 10:37 am

    Thank you! Your project are perfect and I love the polar bear facts and follow-up questions!!! My students love your projects as do I.
    Thank you again!

    Reply

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