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.

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

• DIY at home sensory activities your toddler will love
• How to TIE DYE using food coloring
• DIY canvas letter art for kids
• Learn how to stencil on a canvas bag
• Painting with nature, a creative and fun experience to enjoy with your kids
• DIY light-up fairy jar

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

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Personalized canvas art for kids

How to make your own personalized canvas name art at home with your kids

Total Time30 minutes mins

Cost: $

Equipment

• Cricut cutting machine
• Cricut Design Space
• vinyl squeegee
• xacto knife

Materials

• matte finish mod podge
• matte black vinyl (here’s the vinyl I recommend)
• CLEAR TRANSFER TAPE
• acrylic paint
• paint brush
• 8"x10" canvas

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.

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.

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

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

Happy Crafting!