Quick Answer: You don’t need to be artistic to teach art in your homeschool. Kids don’t need a parent who can paint or draw perfectly. They need someone who makes time, follows their interests, and lets them create without pressure. Simple supplies, a topic your child already loves, and a willingness to figure it out together is genuinely enough to get started.
I hear this one a lot: “I’d love to do more art with my kids, but I’m just not artistic.”
But here’s the thing! You don’t need to be artistic to teach art in your homeschool. Truly! Some of the best homeschool art experiences happen when parents stop worrying about whether they’re doing it “right,” and just create alongside their kids.
If you’ve been skipping art because you don’t feel qualified, this one’s for you. We are here to support you and cannot wait for you to get started!
The Biggest Myth About Teaching Art
Most parents assume they need to know how to draw before they can teach art. But think about how you homeschool other subjects: you don’t teach math because you’re a mathematician. You didn’t teach science because you’re a scientist. Art is no different.
Your job isn’t to be the expert. It’s to create the opportunity.
What Kids Actually Need From Us
This seems obvious when stated plainly, but kids don’t need a parent who can paint like a professional. What they actually need is a parent who makes time for art, encourages them to try, celebrates effort over outcome, and lets them experiment without hovering.
That’s it! The pressure homeschool parents put on themselves is almost always much bigger than what their kids are actually asking for.
So how to get started? It’s as simple as some supplies.
Start With Simple Supplies
A lot of families avoid art because they picture needing a fully stocked studio to do it properly. You don’t!
Markers, colored pencils, watercolors, paper, scissors, and glue will take you further than you’d expect. Start there. Add more later if you want to. It’s fun to collect supplies as you go.
Follow Your Kids' Interests
If your child is obsessed with dragons, start there. Animals, outer space, cryptids, fairies, knights, ancient Egypt, whatever they can’t stop talking about right now, that’s your best starting point.
One of the real advantages of homeschooling is that you’re not locked into someone else’s sequence. Interest creates engagement, and engaged kids make more art, without you having to drag them to the table.
You Don't Have to Know the Answers
This is honestly one of my favorite parts of homeschooling in general.
When your kid asks, “who painted this?” you look it up together. When they ask, “why did that artist do that?” you explore it together. You don’t have to walk in knowing everything.
Art is often more interesting when you approach it with curiosity instead of expertise, and your kids pick up on that.
Let Go of Perfect Projects
This is honestly one of my favorite parts of homeschooling in general.
When your kid asks, “who painted this?” you look it up together. When they ask, “why did that artist do that?” you explore it together. You don’t have to walk in knowing everything.
Art is often more interesting when you approach it with curiosity instead of expertise, and your kids pick up on that.
The Real Goal of Art Education
We’re not trying to raise professional artists. We’re trying to raise creative thinkers.
Kids who create regularly learn to solve problems, take risks, think differently, express their ideas, and build real confidence. Those skills show up everywhere, whether they ever pick up a paintbrush again or not.
Our Blasting Off through Art History Curriculum is a beautiful example of this gentle, effortless cross-curricular learning. Check it out at our Shop.
You've Got This!
If you’ve been avoiding art because you don’t feel artistic, take this as your sign to break out the crayons!
Your kids don’t need a professional. They need someone who shows up, puts some supplies on the table, and gives them room to make something. Start simple. Follow their interests. Focus on the process.
Some of the best homeschool memories happen at the art table, and none of them require you to know how to draw.
What next?
If you found yourself nodding along while reading above, you might be a great fit for The Glitter Bomb homeschool art curriculum. You can try out our Famers Market bundle, which we are giving you for FREE! We can’t wait for you to discover what our bundles are all about. Explore over 10 full art projects and several cross-curricular extension activities. (Think language arts, math, and geography!) Check out our Shop to grab your free copy.
Join one of our Memberships!
We have so much fun inside the Glitterbombers Memberships. Chose the level right for your students – Glitterbombers (K-7th) or the new Glitterbombers HIGH (7th-12th). With either choice, you’ll have hundreds more art projects, videos, and resources at your fingertips for whatever you’re studying, or whatever art concept you’re ready to teach. Click here to join our waitlist and find out when we open next!
FAQs
Can I teach art if I can’t draw?
Yes, completely. Most homeschool parents use guided lessons, video instruction, or art curriculum so their kids can explore art without mom or dad needing advanced skills.
What if my child says they don’t like art?
Usually it’s not art they dislike, it’s projects that have nothing to do with what they’re already into. Try starting with a topic they’re already obsessed with and see what happens.
How often should we do art?
Once a week works well for a lot of families. Others prefer shorter creative sessions a few times a week. Consistency matters more than the schedule you pick.
What art supplies should beginners buy?
Paper, markers, colored pencils, watercolor paints, scissors, and glue. That’s enough to get started with most projects.
Is art really important in homeschool?
Art builds creativity, confidence, observation skills, and problem-solving in a way a lot of other subjects don’t. It also tends to be one of the subjects that makes an impression and that kids remember.