Easy Diy Canvas Projects Easy Diy Canvas Elephant Projects

Are you looking for an easy project for kids of all ages to make? This simple word canvas craft project is such a great gift idea. Update those blank canvases the next time you need something for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, or Father's Day.

Easy canvas idea for kids pointing to painted canvas with words and arrow pointed to black and white canvas with arrow and text saying for adults.

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Not only is this an easy art idea for kids, but it can be customized for adults as well. Make sure you read the whole post to see how you can take the same craft idea and change it no matter which family member is creating it.

Why Let Kids Create

Can be personalized with your favorite saying or quote.
Won't be a classic cookie-cutter craft. Each child can create their own masterpiece and have fun doing it.
Painting, handling the small wooden letters and even sorting the letters help develop fine motor skills.

Tips For Paint Colors

Make sure you provide your little ones with colors that mix well together. The colors that are next to each other on the color wheel will work well. You can also add white paint to any color scheme to get a variety of tints.

2 Primary Colors Also Work

If you want a little fun video to show your kids about color mixing before you start, go ahead and check this color mixing video out!

Recommended Supplies

Wooden Letters
Canvas or Canvasboard
Acrylic Craft Paint
Paintbrushes
Glue-All
Toothpicks
Paper Plate
Water Container

wooden letters in plastic bag, blue craft acrylic paint and bottle of glue on canvas.

How To Make Kids Word Canvas Project

Before You Begin

Make choosing the words and finding the letters fun. Picking out the wooden letters is an activity in itself. We love when we can turn any craft project into another type of learning activity.

Even if for now they think you spell love, W-U-V. I need to remember to cherish the moments and thought my husband would also appreciate the WUV!

Step 1: Pick Out Saying

Pick out the saying that you want to be on your canvas. We decided to spell, "I WUV DAD". Partially because I couldn't find another E and also because that is how my little kiddos say, "Love".

two preschoolers picking out wooden letters on brown table.

Step 2: Paint The Letters

Paint the letters using the main colors (not white). You want there to be some contrast between the words and the background.

little boy painting small wooden letters with blue paint on teal table.

I liked the idea that our canvas art is all similar colors. However, you could always use one set of colors for the letters and one set for the background.

Step 3: Let Wooden Letters Dry

Once the wooden letters are painted, set them aside.

kids hand holding wooden letter with paint on a "d" on a teal table.

Step 4: Paint Tints Of Colors

Give each child a squirt of white paint next to "his or her" color.Naturally, my kids mixed the paints as they worked together to paint the canvas.

preschooler's hand holding paint brush painting blues, purples and reds on canvas.

Step 5: Glue Letters On Canvas Once Dry

Allow all parts to dry. Once canvas and letters are dry, carefully use glue tocollage the pieces to create the final DIY word canvas.

hand holding Elmer's Glue-All and putting glue on wooden letter.

Step 6: Display Somewhere Special

You can frame, prop or check out one of our cool art display ideas.

purple and red painted canvas by kids with wooden letters on it that say I wuv dad.

Optional Final Step

Seal Canvas With Mod Podge

I did not do this, but that is because my husband proudly took this word canvas art to his office before I could. You could use a clear spray or different types of mod podge (I love this one).

This product will help add a cool shine or cohesiveness to the art project.

If you use washable paint a spray may work better as you could possibly smear what your child created.

Seal With Spray

Even a clear gloss spray paint would add a little more extra protection. In addition, it would hide any extra glue that may have slipped out from under the wooden letters onto the canvas.

How To Do This As An Adult Craft

Instead of using acrylic craft paint, glue the letters directly to the canvas. Use spray paint to cover the canvas completely for simple and cheap word art.

black painted canvas craft with wooden letters glued on.

Craft FAQs

Should you use acrylic or tempera paint with young children?

Acrylic paint is more permanent and will stick to the canvas better. However, that also means it could stain clothing and be harder to clean up. Washable tempera paint is a safer bet, but some areas may chip off over time.

What is a gallery-wrapped canvas?

We love gallery-wrapped canvases because the staples are hidden in the back and the edges are deeper. Simply paint the entire canvas including the edges and there is no need to frame it! They are more expensive though so that might persuade you otherwise. Pay attention to sales where you can sometimes get them for 60% off at Michaels and other craft stores.

Can I use a different surface besides canvas?

Canvas boards would be a good cheaper alternative.

What type of glue is best?

We love using Elmer's Glue-All For all sorts of crafts. It can work on a variety of surfaces. Just be careful because it is not washable like the regular school glue.

Do you have to seal the canvas?

No, you can leave the painted canvas as is.

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The DIY Project Challenge

When my kids first made this DIY canvas art for my husband, I didn't realize I was already fitting this month's theme for a DIY project challenge. Each month, my awesome DIY blogger friends get together and create projects based on a theme. The project must cost under $50!

For past challenges, I have redone a Midcentury Modern dresser, experimented with marbling paint techniques and created no-sew DIY storage boxes.

This month's theme was to use wood and any other material to create a DIY project.

▢
Paintbrushes
▢
Adults: Spray Paint

▢ Blank Canvas more expensive gallery wrapped ones
▢ Optional: Canvas Board
▢ Wooden Letters
▢ Wooden Letters different set for variety
▢ Craft Paint preferably acrylic
▢ Glue All

Pick out the saying that you want to be on your canvas. We decided to spell, "I WUV DAD". Partially because I couldn't find another E and also because that is how my little kiddos say, "Love".
Paint the letters using the main colors (not white). You want there to be some contrast between the words and the background.
Once the wooden letters are painted, set them aside. Give each child a squirt of white paint next to "his or her" color.

Naturally, my kids mixed the paints as they worked together to paint the canvas.
Allow all parts to dry. Once canvas and letters are dry, carefully use glue to collage the pieces to create the final DIY word canvas.
Let dry and give to that special family member.
Optional: Use a clear coat or mod podge to seal the canvas.

When kids keep painting in the same area, gently rotate the canvas or paper so that they will work in a different area. Kids (especially younger ones), do not know when to stop, but it is because they are having so much FUN painting and making a masterpiece of a canvas!
For adults: Instead of using acrylic craft paint, glue the letters directly to the canvas. Use spray paint to cover the canvas completely for simple and cheap word art.

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