Art Making at Home

Art-making activities for all ages

Create art using your own materials or those provided in an MFA art kit! Each activity focuses on a specific art-making technique and connects with the Museum’s collection. Instructions are included to make your own. Recommended for children, teens, and the young at heart.

Also check out the MFA’s Studio Art Class offerings to learn more art-making techniques.

Share photos of your art with us by tagging #mfaBoston!

Detail of portrait of woman in a dress and head covering, seated in front of a landscape painting on an easel
Detail of portrait of woman in a dress and head covering, seated in front of a landscape painting on an easel

Self-Portrait

Learn how to draw a self-portrait using your MFA art kit or materials from home.
view of front and back of gold Persian coin; one side depicting profile of bearded man in headdress; other side showing two figures standing next to altar and holding raised swords
view of front and back of gold Persian coin; one side depicting profile of bearded man in headdress; other side showing two figures standing next to altar and holding raised swords

Embossed Coin Designs

Learn how to make embossed metal coin designs in celebration of Nowruz!
Tapestry-woven robe with large gold dragon on front and back, ground covered with blue and green clouds
Tapestry-woven robe with large gold dragon on front and back, ground covered with blue and green clouds

Dragon Puppets

Learn how to make a dragon puppet with your MFA art kit or materials from home
Roman sculpture of Athena Parthenos on left with 3D model of sculpture with polychromy on right
Roman sculpture of Athena Parthenos on left with 3D model of sculpture with polychromy on right

Ancient Greek and Roman Sculpture

Learn how to create a sculpture inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art in the Museum’s collections.
detail of multi-colored quilt wrapped around a spherical ball
detail of multi-colored quilt wrapped around a spherical ball

Quilt Patterns

Use a set of five shapes to create quilt square designs and patterns.
Close-up of hands in gardening gloves planting small seedling into soil
Close-up of hands in gardening gloves planting small seedling into soil

Planting a Garden

Paint a pot to grow flowers in and start a garden using your MFA art kit or materials from home.
Stained glass window designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany depicting Parakeets and Gold Fish Bowl, about 1893
Stained glass window designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany depicting Parakeets and Gold Fish Bowl, about 1893

Stained Glass

Learn how to make a “stained glass” window with materials from home.
detail of Nubian beaded belt made of faience with glazed quartz pendant
detail of Nubian beaded belt made of faience with glazed quartz pendant

Jewelry Making

Learn how to make jewelry with art materials from home.
image of a brown and tan basket with triangle pattern
image of a brown and tan basket with triangle pattern

Basket Weaving

Learn how to weave a basket with your MFA art kit or materials from home.
watercolor painting of people and trees
watercolor painting of people and trees

Watercolors

Learn how to “paint” with watercolor pencils using your MFA art kit or materials from home.
drawing of spheres
drawing of spheres

Marker Monoprints

Learn how to make a monoprint with your MFA art kit or materials from home.