Looking for meaningful Indigenous art activities for kids? This growing bundle combines animal directed drawing, cultural learning and Northwest Coast-inspired art shapes in four step-by-step art activities.
Students learn about the cultural connections of the orca, salmon, hummingbird and eagle before creating their own animal drawings. Each activity also includes an art-shapes lesson and tracing practice to help students build confidence before beginning the final drawing.
The bundle currently includes four complete animal directed drawing activities, with additional animals planned as the bundle grows.
Indigenous Art Directed Drawing Bundle Includes
♡ Four complete animal art activities
♡ Four cultural learning pages
♡ Indigenous art-shapes lesson
♡ Shape-tracing practice
♡ Step-by-step drawing instructions
♡ Orca directed drawing
♡ Salmon directed drawing
♡ Hummingbird directed drawing
♡ Eagle directed drawing
♡ Printable art activities for elementary students
Orca Directed Drawing
Students learn about the cultural importance of orcas and their connections to some Northwest Coast Nations and communities.
This activity includes:
♡ Orca cultural learning page
♡ Northwest Coast-inspired art-shapes lesson
♡ Shape-tracing practice
♡ Seven-step orca directed drawing
Salmon Directed Drawing
Students explore the importance of salmon to many Northwest Coast communities and their connections to food, land, water, culture and community.
This activity includes:
♡ Salmon cultural learning page
♡ Northwest Coast-inspired art-shapes lesson
♡ Shape-tracing practice
♡ Seven-step salmon directed drawing
Hummingbird Directed Drawing
Students learn about cultural connections associated with the hummingbird before completing a step-by-step drawing.
This activity includes:
♡ Hummingbird cultural learning page
♡ Northwest Coast-inspired art-shapes lesson
♡ Shape-tracing practice
♡ Seven-step hummingbird directed drawing
Eagle Directed Drawing
Students explore the cultural importance of eagles and learn about some of their connections within Northwest Coast cultures.
This activity includes:
♡ Eagle cultural learning page
♡ Northwest Coast-inspired art-shapes lesson
♡ Shape-tracing practice
♡ Eight-step eagle directed drawing
Learn Indigenous Art Shapes
Before completing each animal drawing, students are introduced to shapes and visual elements found in Northwest Coast-inspired art.
The practice activity allows students to trace and become familiar with the shapes before using them in a complete animal design. This additional support makes the drawings accessible to students who may not feel confident in art class.
Step-by-Step Animal Drawings
Each activity breaks the animal into seven or eight manageable steps. Students follow the drawing sequence before adding colour and individual details to their finished artwork.
These directed drawing animals help students practise:
♡ Following visual instructions
♡ Recognizing and drawing shapes
♡ Fine motor skills
♡ Spatial awareness
♡ Line and form
♡ Artistic confidence
♡ Careful observation
Cultural Learning Before Creating
These activities do not present animal art as a craft without context. Students learn about the animal and its cultural connections before beginning the drawing.
Indigenous art is incredibly diverse. Nations and artists have their own styles, protocols, stories and relationships with animals. This resource focuses on Northwest Coast-inspired visual elements and does not represent all Indigenous art or all Indigenous Peoples.
Whenever possible, connect the activities to local Indigenous Nations, artists and community-approved sources.
Perfect For
♡ Indigenous art activities
♡ Elementary art lessons
♡ Animal directed drawing
♡ Indigenous education
♡ First Nations art learning
♡ Northwest Coast art lessons
♡ Social studies and art integration
♡ National Indigenous History Month
♡ Indigenous Peoples Day activities
♡ Canadian social studies
♡ Art centres
♡ Early finisher activities
♡ Classroom art displays
This growing bundle of Indigenous art activities for kids helps students build drawing confidence while learning that culturally connected art should always be introduced with context, care and respect.
