Paul Klee Art Lesson for Kids: Exploring Color and Shape
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Have you ever explored the art of Paul Klee with kids? Paul Klee is a wonderful artist to study because his work blends color, geometry, imagination, and even music—making it especially engaging for children.
In this simple Paul Klee–inspired art lesson, kids learn how to break an image into colorful sections and create artwork that feels playful, expressive, and personal.
The inspiration for this lesson came from the book Children’s Book of Art by DK publishing.
Who Was Paul Klee?
Paul Klee lived from 1879–1940 and was a Swiss-German artist known for his unique, imaginative style. He was influenced by several art movements, including Impressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism, but his work is instantly recognizable as his own.
Klee loved music, and he often thought of his paintings as being arranged like musical compositions—full of rhythm, repetition, and harmony. Over his lifetime, he created more than 9,000 works of art, experimenting with color, line, and abstract forms.
Art Inspiration: Castle and Sun
One of Paul Klee’s most well-known works is Castle and Sun (1928). This painting features a stylized cityscape made up of simple shapes and bold blocks of color.
The piece is a perfect example of how Klee used:
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Geometric shapes
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Strong outlines
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Warm and contrasting colors
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A childlike, imaginative perspective
It’s an ideal jumping-off point for a kids’ art lesson.
Paul Klee–Inspired Art Project for Kids
What You’ll Need
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White paper or cardstock
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Black marker or crayon
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Watercolor paints, tempera paints, or crayons
Step 1: Draw the Picture
Start by drawing a simple image using a black marker. A cityscape, house scene, animal, or even a fantasy picture works well.
Encourage kids to keep the shapes simple.
Step 2: Divide Into Sections
Add straight or slightly wiggly lines to divide the drawing into sections or “blocks.” These lines create spaces for color, similar to Klee’s work.
Step 3: Add Color
Fill each section with color. Kids can:
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Choose a limited color palette
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Alternate warm and cool colors
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Experiment with contrast
There’s no wrong way—this is about expression, not perfection.
Our Experience
We created two Klee-inspired pieces:
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A cityscape, inspired by Castle and Sun, where the kids helped color each block
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An original illustration (a mermaid!) that was broken into sections and filled with bold color
Both projects turned out beautifully and allowed for lots of creativity at different ages.
Why This Lesson Works So Well for Kids
✔ Teaches art history in a hands-on way
✔ Encourages creativity and imagination
✔ Builds confidence (every piece looks “right”)
✔ Connects visual art with music and emotion
This project works well for homeschooling, classrooms, co-ops, or afternoon art time.
Extend the Learning
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Play classical or instrumental music while kids paint
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Talk about how colors can feel “loud,” “soft,” or “happy”
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Compare different students’ color choices
More Artist Studies to Explore
If you enjoy artist-inspired lessons, you might also like:
