How to make personalized canvas art for kids

Do you have a Cricut or another craft cutting machine? Those fancy machines can do more than just cut paper and make adult projects. You can actually use them to create fun art with your kids:)!!

In this crafty post I’m going to show you how easy it is to create personalized canvas art for kids.

Kids love canvas art! There are so many different things they can create on these wonderful blank slates. They can free-hand paint, make adorable handprint keepsakes, have fun melting crayons and so much more.

Child painting their name, Gracie, on a white canvas with the colors pink, purple, red, and teal. They are using a small paintbrush. Letters are made from black vinyl.

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If you enjoy this kid-friendly craft be sure to check out these other DIY kid-approved projects:

Child painting colorful canvas art piece. Paint pallet with the colors red, yellow, blue, orange, green, black, pink, and purple. Sitting on the table is a short mason jar with water to dip the paintbrush in. Clear container full of rhinestones. Clear condiment bottles with glitter. Brown craft paper is on the table to protect the surface from acrylic paint stains.

What supplies and materials do you need: canvas art for kids?

Personalized canvas art for kids

How to make your own personalized canvas name art at home with your kids
Total Time30 minutes
Cost: $

Instructions

  • MAKE PERSONALIZED NAME STENCILS- Using outdoor grade vinyl cut out your personalized names. I recommend a Cricut machine for this but you can use any fancy cutting machine that you have access to. If using an 8"x10" white canvas you will need to make your names smaller than the canvas frame so it's easy to apply. Keep in mind all names are different so adjust the names accordingly, just don't make it bigger than 7"x9".
  • SEAL THE STENCIL- To reduce the amount of paint bleed you can seal your stencil with matte finish mod podge. Simply paint a VERY THIN layer of the mod podge where the stencil and the canvas meet. You are essentially filling in any areas that have little air bubbles with the mod podge so that the paint does not. Let this dry completely before adding acrylic paint.
  • PAINT THE CANVAS- After the mod podge is dry you can paint the canvas. Be sure your kiddo is covering the entire area around the vinyl. If there are areas that don’t get painted the letter might not look like a letter when you they finished.
  • REMOVE THE VINYL LETTERING- Once they are all finished painting you can use a sewing pin or an xacto knife to lift the vinyl lettering up and off of the canvas. Discard the lettering after. Once you lift the vinyl off there letters underneath should be white.

Make this personalized canvas art for kids even better by making a party out of it. Check out my tips for hosting a kid-friendly art paint party on a budget.

Stack of canvases to make personalized name art. The top white canvas reads, TAYLOR, in black matte finish vinyl. There are a group of wooden handled 1" sponge brushes, stack of white paper cups, a white vinyl table cloth, pack of assorted acrylic paints, yellow kids paint brushes, a stack of white paper plates. This is kid's DIY craft kit.

CANVAS ART FOR KIDS USING YOUR CRICUT

1. MAKE PERSONALIZED NAME STENCILS

First, using outdoor grade vinyl cut out your personalized names. I recommend a Cricut machine for this but you can use any fancy cutting machine that you have access to. If using an 8″x10″ white canvas you will need to make your names smaller than the canvas frame so it’s easy to apply. Keep in mind all names are different so adjust the names accordingly, just don’t make it bigger than 7″x9″.

Having trouble applying vinyl to the canvas? Try these tips:

  • flip canvas front side down and rub the backside of the canvas with lots of pressure
  • peel your transfer tape VERY SLOWLY pressing the letters back down onto the canvas as you peel
  • wiggle your transfer tape back and forth as you peel

2. SEAL THE STENCIL

Second, to reduce the amount of paint bleed you can seal your stencil with matte finish mod podge. Simply paint a VERY THIN layer of the mod podge where the stencil and the canvas meet. Essentially you are filling in any areas that have little air bubbles with the mod podge so that the paint does not. Let this dry completely before adding acrylic paint.

3. PAINT THE CANVAS

Third, after the mod podge is dry you can paint the canvas. Be sure your kiddo is covering the entire area around the vinyl. If there are areas that don’t get painted the letter might not look like a letter when they are finished.

Child painting a white canvas with their name on the canvas in black lettering. Paint pallet with the colors purple, green, red, yellow, dark blue, and light blue. A cup of water for the paintbrush, paint covered paper towel. A canvas drop cloth to protect the table surface from acrylic paint stains.

Additionally, I recommend if your kiddo wants to add any glitter to their canvas to do so while their paint is still wet.

4. REMOVE THE VINYL LETTERING

Finally, once they are all finished painting you can use a sewing pin or an xacto knife to lift the vinyl lettering up and off of the canvas. Discard the lettering after. Once you lift the vinyl off there letters underneath should be white.

I just love how these always turn out! The kids can really get creative with them!

Don’t lose this crafty post:) be sure to pin the image below to help you find it later

Letter and name canvas art for kids. Kids holding their personalized canvas art names over their faces in a craft room. Child's hand painting on a canvas with the name gracie. The word LOVE painted on a canvas with colorful paints

I hope you enjoyed this kid friendly craft! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy Crafting!

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