Art Games for the Classroom: Fun Activities for Art Teachers
Creative games for elementary, middle, and high school art classes
I'll admit it: I've never been much of a board-game person. Just ask my son, who learned long ago that convincing me to play Monopoly is practically impossible!
But art games? Those are a different story.
As an art teacher for 17 years, I'm always looking for ways to get students thinking creatively, practicing their observation skills, and having fun while learning something along the way.
Whether you're looking for a quick activity between projects, something to shake up your weekly sketchbook routine, or an engaging way to review art vocabulary, games can be a great addition to your classroom.
I've rounded up six art-related games that caught my attention, along with five simple classroom activities that don't require purchasing a game at all.
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through a qualifying link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Art Games Worth Purchasing
1. OuiSi — A Game of Visual Connections
Art concepts: Observation, line, shape, color, texture, and visual relationships.
Suggested ages: Elementary through high school, with age-appropriate adaptations
One of the most important skills I try to develop in my art students is observation. Artists need to notice things that other people might overlook. That's what initially caught my attention about OuiSi. Players use photographic cards to find visual connections between images. Those connections might involve color, shape, texture, or subject matter. I love the idea of using this as a warm-up before a lesson on the Elements of Art.
How I'd use it in class: Have students identify the visual connection between two cards and explain their reasoning using art vocabulary. For older students, challenge them to find less obvious connections.
My take: This is one I'd like to explore further. I haven't personally tested it in my classroom yet.
2. Two Tumbleweeds Art Dice — Creative Drawing Prompts
Art concepts: Creative thinking, composition, experimentation, and problem-solving.
Suggested ages: Middle and high school
If you teach art, you probably know the struggle of coming up with fresh sketchbook prompts.
Art Dice caught my attention because the dice introduce combinations of creative constraints, helping students generate ideas without staring at a blank page.
I can see this being particularly useful for weekly sketchbook assignments or advanced students who need a little push outside their comfort zones.
How I'd use it in class: Have students roll the dice and create three thumbnail sketches based on their prompts. They can then choose their favorite idea to develop into a finished drawing.
Teaching tip: Let students exchange one prompt if their combination seems impossible. The goal is creative problem-solving, not frustration.
3. Hues and Cues — Putting Color into Words
Art concepts: Color theory, color perception, descriptive vocabulary, and visual communication.
Suggested ages: Upper elementary through high school
As soon as I saw Hues and Cues, I thought about the I Love Hue app.
However, instead of arranging colors into a gradient, players use verbal clues to help others identify a particular color.
What interests me most is the opportunity to get students thinking beyond basic color names. Instead of simply saying "green," they might describe a color as moss, avocado, or the inside of a lime.
How I'd use it in class: Play a round before beginning a color theory unit. Then have students develop their own descriptive color vocabulary using references from nature, food, emotions, and everyday objects.
4. Color Smash — A Fast-Paced Color Recognition Game
Art concepts: Color recognition, visual processing, and color theory.
Suggested ages: Elementary through high school, depending on the version and classroom adaptations.
Sometimes students need a quick activity that gets them thinking and responding without requiring a lengthy explanation or setup. That's why Color Smash caught my attention. This color-focused game offers an opportunity to practice visual recognition and quick thinking in a playful, competitive setting. I especially like the possibility of connecting it to a color theory lesson rather than treating it as just another game.
How I'd use it in class: After playing, challenge students to design their own color game incorporating complementary colors, analogous colors, or warm and cool color relationships.
My take: This is a super fun addition to an art classroom game collection, particularly for teachers looking for something quick and engaging between larger projects. My students will play this for hours if given the chance!
5. Artsy Fartsy — Drawing Without Perfection
Art concepts: Creative confidence, experimentation, drawing, and adaptability.
Suggested ages: Adaptable for different age groups
One thing I've learned from teaching art is that students sometimes become so concerned with making something look perfect that they forget to enjoy the process. That's one reason Artsy Fartsy caught my attention.
This drawing game incorporates unexpected challenges that can make the creative process a little less serious and a lot more entertaining. Drawing under unusual constraints can encourage students to loosen up and stop overthinking every mark.
How I'd use it in class: Incorporate drawing challenges into a sketchbook warm-up. Have students try drawing with their non-dominant hand, working under a time limit, or responding to an unexpected prompt.
Teaching tip: Remind students that the goal is experimentation and participation, not producing a polished drawing.
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5. Telestrations — Drawing Meets Telephone
Art concepts: Visual communication, interpretation, observation, and recognizable imagery.
Suggested ages: Middle and high school
Most of us are familiar with the game Telephone, where a message changes as it passes from one person to another. Telestrations takes that concept and combines it with drawing. Players alternate between interpreting written prompts and creating illustrations. By the end of the round, the original idea can turn into something completely unexpected. I can imagine some pretty entertaining results with a classroom full of teenagers!
How I'd use it in class: Divide students into groups and have them alternate between written descriptions and drawings. At the end, compare the original prompts with the final results.
Which Art Games Would Work Best in Your Classroom?
Each of these games offers something different, depending on the skills you're hoping to reinforce.
Game | Art Skills and Concepts |
OuiSi | Observation and Elements of Art |
Art Dice | Creativity and sketchbook prompts |
Hues and Cues | Color theory and communication |
Color Smash | Color recognition and visual processing |
Artsy Fartsy | Drawing and experimentation |
Telestrations | Visual communication and interpretation |
One thing to consider before purchasing games for your classroom is how many students can participate at once.
A game designed for four or six players might work beautifully as a small-group activity, but require some modifications for a class of 25 or 30.
You might set up stations, rotate groups, or adapt the rules so everyone can participate.
And remember, you don't necessarily need to purchase a classroom set of every game. Sometimes one game can inspire an entirely new activity using materials you already have.
Looking for Art Games That Don't Cost Anything?
I love discovering creative games, but I also know that classroom budgets are limited.
Fortunately, some of the best art activities don't require buying anything at all!
I've put together another collection of games you can play with materials you probably already have in your classroom.
[Explore 5 Free Art Games for the Classroom]
Coming Soon: Printable Art Bingo!
I'm also working on an Art Bingo game designed to help students review art concepts and vocabulary in a fun, interactive way.
Once it's available, I'll share the details and ideas for incorporating it into your classroom.
What Are Your Favorite Art Classroom Games?
Have you tried any of these games with your students? Or have you discovered another one that deserves a spot on this list?
I'd love to hear your recommendations!
Leave a comment and let me know which games have been successful in your classroom.
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