How to Make Christ the King Art for Kids

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Christ the King) falls on Sunday, November 20th this year, and I want to share an inspiring book and art project combination that really make this celebration special (and colorful!) for kids!

So, if you are looking for a quick and easy art project for kids to create for Christ the King that is a cinch to teach with this tutorial as your guide, then you are in exactly the right place!

Inspired by the book, This is the Church by Katie Warner, this project can be completed in just one 30 minute session with minimal supplies. It is also great for ages 5 and up at home OR in the classroom.

VIDEO TUTORIAL

Check out the video below for how to make this project:

Download the Freebie pack below that includes templates, a drawing guide and more!

THE BOOK

This is the Church by Katie Warner and Meg Whalen takes children through the story of salvation history through beautiful illustrations of stained glass windows inside of a church. This book is one of the main inspirations behind our signature We Believe Art Course for Kids. I love it so much that I wanted to share a free project inspired by this beauty to give you the opportunity to experience it with the children you work with in another creative way.

PREP

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Here are the supplies you need to make this project:

• 1 sheet of 9″ x 12″ white sulphite paper
• Crown template printed onto card stock from free download link above (optional)
• Brown or black crayon
• Oil pastels (black and colored)
• Skin tone markers or crayons or oil pastels
• Paint sticks like Kwik Stix (brown, yellow and red)
• Gold glitter tempera paint
• Large round paint brush
• Strips of yellow/gold paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Optional: glitter foam stickers or jewel stickers for the crown

STEP 1:

Take the crown template from the freebie pack download for this project printed onto card stock, and trace with a crayon at the top of the white paper. Make sure to go to the very top edge so there is room to draw the face, neck and shoulders. If you have children older than 8 who don’t need a template, they can draw their own crown.

STEP 2:

Use the drawing guide from the free download below to draw the rest of the portrait.

Then using a skin colored marker or crayon or oil pastel, color in the face and neck. I would recommend younger children 5-6 to use crayons or oil pastels and ages 7+ to use the markers. Just make sure to encourage them to color slowly with the side of marker to cover larger areas instead of just scribbling with the tip. (Refer to video)

STEP 3:

Using a brown paint stick, color Jesus’ hair. The paint stick easily glides over and covers the paper colored with marker. Don’t make the beard yet!

STEP 4:

Color the crown and robe using paint sticks. If the child drew small details for the robe, use crayons or oil pastels to color instead of the paint stick.

STEP 5:

Using a black oil pastel, draw two lines for eyes and one upside down curved 7 for the nose. THEN use the brown paint stick to add the beard. Draw two lines for the lips with black oil pastel and outline the crayon lines of the drawing to make everything pop.

STEP 6:

Decorate the crown using oil pastels, foam stickers, glitter, or any other craft supplies you have on hand. This could be a great way to incorporate creating patterns for the little ones!

STEP 7:

To add some sparkle and shine to the background, take a large round paintbrush and paint repeating diagonal lines going up all around His head with GOLD glitter paint. This has to be one of my absolute favorite art supplies for faith-based art for kids! And I believe the kids would agree. 🙂

STEP 8:

For the final step, glue two strips of yellow/gold heavyweight construction paper to form a cross. Glue it to the portrait and cover it with glitter paint.

Let dry, and that’s it! A beautiful and sparkling art project to celebrate our risen King!

If you make this project, be sure to give us a shout out on Instagram with tag @littleholyhearts!

Look at this tutorial in action… pretty amazing, right? I can’t wait to see what YOU do with this project!

Keep Shining!