Teaching Soft Pastels to Kids: A No-Stress Guide
Introducing kids to soft pastels is like giving them permission to get messy, explore, and create freely. Unlike other art mediums, pastels don’t require brushes or water, just hands, paper, and a willingness to play. But if the thought of chalky fingers and colorful smudges makes you a little nervous, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. This guide is all about making pastels fun, stress-free, and accessible for kids (and the adults guiding them!).
Why Soft Pastels? Because Kids Love to Get Messy!
Kids are naturally drawn to soft pastels because they’re hands-on and forgiving. If they make a mark they don’t like, they can smudge it, layer over it, or simply embrace it as part of the process. There’s no need for erasers or perfection, just color, movement, and creativity. And if your child struggles with the texture of pastels, they can use tools like cotton swabs or even turn pastels into watercolor by brushing over their work with a damp paintbrush. The flexibility of this medium makes it a perfect match for young artists.
Setting the Stage: Making Pastel Time Fun (Not Overwhelming)
Limit color choices – Too many options can be overwhelming. Let kids pick a small selection of colors from a plate or bowl and work with those first.
Encourage big, bold strokes – Show them how to use the side of a pastel to fill space quickly, then switch to the tip for details.
Set clear expectations – Pastels go on paper, not on faces, furniture, or pets! (Yes, this rule exists for a reason.)
Keep it playful – Ask them about their artwork, let them tell a story, and most importantly, resist the urge to “fix” or critique their work. Their art is theirs!
Embracing the Mess (Without Losing Your Mind)
Soft pastels are messy, and that doesn’t mean they have to be stressful. Here are a few simple ways to contain the chaos:
Wear art-friendly clothes – Old T-shirts, thrifted button-up men’s shirts worn backward, or smocks work wonders.
Have wipes or a damp cloth nearby – A quick clean-up station keeps hands from turning every doorknob in your house into a pastel rainbow.
Use a table covering – Butcher paper, an old sheet, or a plastic tablecloth makes cleanup a breeze.
Embrace the mess as part of the process – Pastel-covered fingers are proof of creativity at work!
For kids who are sensitive to textures, consider giving them nitrile gloves or letting them use cotton swabs for blending. Everyone is different; if accommodations don’t work, it is okay to have a backup activity.
A Simple First Project to Get Kids Hooked
Want a fun, engaging way to introduce pastels? Try a Starry Night-inspired sky! Show kids Van Gogh’s Starry Night, then encourage them to create their own swirling, colorful night sky using whatever colors they love. Use large construction paper to encourage big, sweeping motions, no tiny, cramped drawings here!
This project helps kids get comfortable with layering, mark-making, and filling a page, all while having a blast.
Guiding Without Controlling: Letting Kids Lead
When teaching kids, it’s easy to want to step in and correct their work, and the best thing you can do is let them experiment. Set some basic rules, offer encouragement, and then step back.
If a child feels frustrated, try:
Validating their feelings – “I get frustrated with my art sometimes too. It’s okay to feel that way!”
Asking if they need help – Let them point to where they’re stuck instead of making suggestions.
Demonstrating mistakes – If they see you make a mistake and keep going, they’ll feel safer doing the same.
And remember, kids will take their cues from you! If you model curiosity, playfulness, and the willingness to experiment, they’ll follow your lead.
Keeping Kids Engaged
Some kids will dive into pastels and never want to stop. Others will lose interest quickly. To keep things fun:
Keep explanations short, less talking, more creating!
Encourage them to fill the whole page, big strokes, bold colors!
Give variation steps; if they finish quickly, suggest adding a fun background or trying a new technique.
And if they walk away? That’s okay, too. Creativity ebbs and flows, and sometimes just a few minutes of exploration is enough for the day.
Building Confidence Through Art
Soft pastels are more than just a fun art activity; they’re a tool for self-expression, sensory exploration, and confidence-building. Art teaches kids that it’s okay to take up space, to make mistakes, and to follow their curiosity.
One of the simplest ways to boost their confidence? Display their artwork! Clipboards on the wall, a designated fridge spot, or a simple frame can show them their art is valued.
Encouragement for Adults: You Don’t Have to Be an Artist to Teach Pastels
If you feel like you’re “not artistic enough” to introduce pastels to kids, I promise, you are. You don’t have to be an expert to create alongside them. Try the pastels yourself before teaching, get comfortable with the medium, and most of all, have fun with it! Kids don’t need a perfect demonstration; they need a grown-up who’s willing to explore with them.
The Big Takeaway? Let Them Play!
At the end of the day, teaching kids soft pastels isn’t about perfection; it’s about exploration, confidence, and joy. Let them get messy. Let them create without pressure. Let them tell their own stories through color and movement.
Because when we let kids play with art, we’re giving them more than just a new skill, we’re giving them the freedom to express themselves, mistakes and all. And that’s a gift that lasts far beyond the art table.
Materials I recommend
I’m not affiliated, these are products I have personally used, taught with, and have in my own home.