Art and Crafts for Kids With Autism

There are several art projects that are great to do with kids who have autism. These projects are simple and allow kids with autism to socialize while they create something they can be proud of. Each child should be able to complete the art projects based on their level of ability.

Musical Art

For this activity, children with autism can create a work of art while listening to music.  Have the kids hold pencils or markers with their tips touching the center of a piece of paper. Begin playing music, and instruct the children to close their eyes and move their pencils or markers to the rhythm of the music playing. Try switching to a different song during the activity to let them experience different sounds and rhythms. Have the children open their eyes when the music stops playing, and look at the work they have created. Let them color in the lines if they wish to.

Tissue Butterflies

Have the kids create tissue paper butterflies. Begin by having them tear different sheets of tissue paper into little pieces, making sure each child has several sheets of tissue paper. Let the kids swap colors with each other so they all have several different colors. Have them place all of their pieces of tissue paper onto wet coffee filters and let them dry. Once the coffee filter is dry, place another one on top and wrap a pipe cleaner around the middle of it. Have the kids twist the pipe cleaners into antennas to finish the tissue paper butterflies.

Shoe Fish

To create these fish, have each kid trace an old shoe onto a sheet of paper. Make sure to take the shoes away when they are done, to avoid any distractions. Have them draw fins, gills and eyes onto their shoe outline and decorate them with crayons or markers.