Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
My Mini Art Gallery: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
My Mini Art Gallery is a free printable art worksheet for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children fill three frames with marks, then read the plaque under each frame and write in the artist's name. The names are Kusama, Mondrian and Van Gogh. It needs only a pencil, and crayons if you want colour. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Page 1 is set out like a small gallery wall. There are three frames. Children fill each one with marks, and each frame has a plaque underneath with a space for the artist's name. Children write in Kusama, Mondrian or Van Gogh. At the end they pick their favourite frame and write its number. There are boxes for drawing and notes, so children can show their thinking in pictures as well as words.
- Frame 1: dots
- Frame 2: blocks
- Frame 3: swirls
- Plaque 1, dots. Artist: ____________
- Plaque 2, blocks. Artist: ____________
- Plaque 3, swirls. Artist: ____________
- My favourite frame is number ____
Turn it into a real gallery
Choose one picture of each artist
Find one picture by each of the three artists in a library book or on a grown up's device. Show them one at a time and let children look for a minute before you say anything.
Make the plaques
Cut small card labels. Write a title and an artist name on each one, as a real gallery does. Children can copy the names from the sheet.
Hang the frames
Stick the finished sheets to a wall, a door or a long table. Leave a little space between them so each one has room, like pictures in a gallery.
Open the gallery
Invite another family member or a class partner to walk round. The artist can say one thing about their work and the visitor can say what they like.
Why a gallery works for Year 1
A gallery is a place where people go to look at art. Next to each picture there is usually a small plaque that tells you who made it. Setting the sheet out like this gives children a real reason to look closely and to name what they see. It also introduces the idea that every piece of art has a maker.
Artists often have a style, which is a way of working that they come back to again and again. Simple marks are easy for young children to try with a pencil or crayon, so everyone can take part. Looking at one picture first helps children notice the marks before they make their own. Trying a style is a way of learning from an artist.
Fun facts about galleries
- A gallery is a building or room where art is shown for people to look at.
- A plaque beside a picture usually tells you the name of the artist.
- Artists can make marks with pencils, brushes, chalk, pens and many other things.
- Different artists have different styles, so people can sometimes tell who made a picture by looking at it.
- Some galleries in the UK let visitors see their main collections for free.
Skills and curriculum link
- Mark making
- Using colour
- Giving an opinion
- Looking closely
- Matching names to styles
Helping children look at art
- Look before you talkGive children a quiet minute with each picture. Then ask what they can see. Marks, colours and shapes are all good answers.
- Describe the marksUse simple words such as round, straight, wiggly, big and small. This gives children language for the marks they will make.
- Accept every opinionThere is no wrong favourite. Ask why they chose it and listen to the answer.
- Say the names aloudSay each artist's name slowly and let children repeat it. Names are easier to write once they are easy to say.
Key words
- FrameThe border around a picture. On this sheet, it is the space you fill.
- PlaqueA small sign next to a picture. It usually shows the artist's name.
- ArtistA person who makes art.
- StyleThe way an artist likes to make their work.
- Mark makingMaking lines, dots and shapes on paper.
- OpinionWhat you think or feel about something. It is your own choice.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Show one picture of each artist's work first. Let your child look closely before you read anything.
- Read the plaque lines aloud. Then let your child fill each frame with marks, using a pencil or crayons.
- Work through it together the first time and talk about each choice. Then check with the notes on page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Say the three names together out loud, slowly, a few times. Then let your child copy each name from the line on the sheet. Do one frame at a time and take a rest between frames if your child needs one.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to say why they chose their favourite frame, using the word because. For example, they might say they like the marks because of the way they look or feel. Then ask them to say what they would change.
Make it a game
Display the finished sheets as a gallery on a wall or table. Children walk round and put one sticker on the frame they like best. Count the stickers together and talk about why each frame was chosen.
Talk about it
- Which frame was the most fun to fill, and why?
- What kind of marks did you make in each frame?
- Which colours did you choose, and how do they make you feel?
- How is one frame different from another?
- What would you call your favourite frame if it was hanging in a gallery?
- What would you like to draw in a fourth frame?
Take it off the page
Draw a family gallery
Fold a sheet of paper into frames. Each family member draws a small picture in a frame. Write a plaque under each one with the name of the artist.
Mark making walk
Go outside with paper and crayons. Press the paper on bark, bricks or leaves and rub gently. Compare the marks you find.
Painting with dots and lines
Use cotton buds and a little paint to make dots, lines and swirls. Talk about which marks you like most. Grown ups should help with setting up and tidying.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Show a picture first, then step back. Praise the effort and the choices they make, not only whether the marks look neat.
Teachers
Use it as an art starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and a classroom gallery makes a simple display for talking about artists.
Home educators
Pair it with a library book on artists, a trip to a local gallery or a walk to collect textures. The sheet can be printed again for brothers and sisters or for another go in a few weeks.
Where this fits in your child's learning
Before this sheet, children explore drawing and painting freely. They try different tools, name colours and shapes, and enjoy making marks without worrying about the result. These early experiences give them the confidence to try something new.
After this sheet, children can look at more artists and describe how their work is similar or different. They can try other materials, make their own work inspired by an artist and say what they like about it. These steps follow the Key Stage 1 art strands of creating, looking at artists and sharing opinions.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is My Mini Art Gallery for?
It is written for Year 1, which is ages 5 to 6, in Key Stage 1. Children who are slightly younger or older can still enjoy it with the right amount of help or challenge from a grown up.
- What will children practise?
Children practise making marks in three different artist styles and matching each artist's name to their style. They also use colour and say which frame they like best, which builds early opinion skills.
- Do I need to show pictures of the artists first?
Yes, it helps. Show one picture of each artist's work before children start, so they have something to look at. Read the plaque lines aloud, then let children fill each frame.
- What if my child finds it hard?
Say the three names together and let your child copy them from the line on the sheet. Take one frame at a time and give lots of encouragement. Page 2 has more help ideas for grown ups.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, with crayons if you like. It works well for quiet time after school, rainy days and school holidays, and it gives eyes a rest from screens.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. A class display of the finished frames makes a good gallery.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add colour with crayons or pencils, which gives them a chance to practise choosing and using colour.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.