Art Activity Books for Kids

Nature is often a theme of Japanese art. Today, I am giving away two Japanese art coloring books and sharing some Japanese art by Hokusai from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. I hope this helps to entertain your kids this summer.

p.s. More art posts for kids:

45 Art Gifts for Seriously Arty Kids by my daughter

10 Inspirational Art Books for Arty Kids

Gifts for Kids Who Hate Art and Reading

Our Art Gift Kits for Arty Kids

Let’s learn about Ukiyo-e!

The ukiyo-e genre of art flourished in Japan from the 17th through 19th centuries The term ukiyo-e translates as ‘pictures of the floating world’.

Some ukiyo-e artists specialized in making paintings, but most works were prints. Artists rarely carved their own woodblocks for printing; rather, production was divided between the artist, who designed the prints; the carver, who cut the woodblocks; the printer, who inked and pressed the woodblocks onto hand-made paper; and the publisher, who financed, promoted, and distributed the works.

Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai
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The peak period in terms of quantity and quality was marked by portraits of beauties and actors by masters such as Kiyonaga, Utamaro, and Sharaku in the late 18th century. This peak was followed in the 19th century by a pair of masters best remembered for their landscapes: the bold formalist Hokusai, whose Great Wave off Kanagawa is one of the best-known works of Japanese art; and the serene, atmospheric Hiroshige, most noted for the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō.

Combining Art and Science with Hokusai’s The Great Wave

It’s amazing how a single piece of art can have a ripple effect, inspiring others all around the world and for many generations. Hokusai’s iconic blockprint The Great Wave is one of the best recognized works of Japanese art in the world.

Floating World: Japanese Prints Coloring Book by Andrew Vigar

You’ll find Hokusai’s wood block print, Great Wave off Kanegawa, along with great artists like Hiroshige, Kotondo and Kuniyoshi. This coloring book that also includes art history; each famous block print has a coloring version alongside it. Get a crash course on Japanese art while coloring for relaxation. This is the a perfect summer learning activity! [coloring and art history book, ages 8 and up]

Asian Art for Kids

Boston’s Museum of Fine Art recently exhibited 140 rare works of Hokusai and I took photographs of my favorites here:

Boston Museum of Fine Arts was the first to introduce Hokusai’s prints to the West in 1892-93, so this is a nice homecoming!

A Great Western Art Book

Masterpieces Up Close: Western Painting from the 14th to 20th Centuries by Claire d’Harcourt

I love how this art book for kids focuses on small details that help kids to discover what makes each painting a masterpiece. Biographies of each artist are presented as Lift the Flaps in the back as well. [nonfiction, ages 8 and up]

Art Activity Books for Kids Giveaway

If your child is arty or you just want to encourage art in your home, win one of these great art activity books for kids. Please fill out the Rafflecopter below and leave a comment with your first, second, and third book choice. Thanks!

The Colors of Asia: An Anti-Stress Coloring Book For Calm and Creativity

I am giving away this Asian themed coloring book for de-stressing, calm and creativity. It includes pages reminiscent of Hokusai’s flower wood block prints. [coloring book, ages 6 and up]

Guide to Photography (National Geographic Kids) by Nancy Honovich and Annie Griffiths

This great book features tips and tricks on how to be a great photographer from the pros at My Shot at National Geographic. [nonfiction book, ages 8 and up]

My Nature Sticker Activity Book: In the Age of Dinosaurs by Olivia Cosneau

Pair this sticker books with dinosaur picture books and this newly discovered dinosaur Gigantosaurus. [sticker book, ages 4 and up]

My Nature Sticker Activity Book: At the Seashore by Olivia Cosneau

Pair this sticker book with my post about tide pools picture books. [sticker book, ages 4 and up]

My Nature Sticker Activity Book: Butterflies of the World by Olivia Cosneau

Pair this sticker book with Multicultural Round Up of Butterfly Picture Books. [sticker book, ages 4 and up]

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.

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For more art projects for kids ideas, please check out my collaborative Pinterest board: Art with Kids:

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Art with Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

My books:

 Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

• Junior Library Guild Gold selection
• Massachusetts Book Award Long List
• Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
• Starred review from School Library Journal
• Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
• 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
• Green Earth Book Award Long List
• Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me