Cave Painting Craft: Free Printable Craft Activity for Year 3
Cave Painting Craft is a free printable craft activity for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2. Paint like a Stone Age artist It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, a growing library of free printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795.
It is two A4 pages. Page 1 is the activity for children. Page 2 is for the grown-up: it has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea. Print it at home or in the classroom. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
This craft activity includes a checklist to tick off and boxes for drawing or notes.
A look at what children will meet:
- Scrunch up a sheet of brown paper and open it out to make a rocky wall
- Use brown, red, yellow and black crayons or chalk, like earth colours
- Draw a big animal with simple, bold shapes
- Add hand prints or patterns around it
- Hold your picture up and tell a story about the hunt
- Practise your animal here
- Practise your patterns here
Who this is for
Year 3 (ages 7 to 8) in Key Stage 2.
Key Stage 2 covers Years 3 to 6, ages 7 to 11. Children are widening what they know and getting better at explaining their thinking, so activities that ask them to reason, not only recall, are especially useful. Use it at home, in class, on a rainy afternoon or at a family gathering.
What children practise
- Drawing
- Using colour
- Stone Age art
Children explore how Stone Age people made art with natural colours and create their own cave painting (Key Stage 2 art and design and history).
Learning focus and curriculum link
Subject: Art. Key stage: Key Stage 2. It supports the subject at this level through short, focused practice.
This sheet is a practice and play activity. It supports classroom learning and is not a replacement for it.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- Practise your animals on this sheet, then make a big version on scrunched brown paper.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice.
- Check against the notes on page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
If it feels too hard
Trace a simple animal shape first. Use thick lines.
To stretch confident children
Write a caption that tells the story of your painting.
Make it a game
Make a cave gallery with a torch and let the family walk through it.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Lay out everything you need before you begin.
- Let children make choices. It does not have to look like anyone else's.
- Talk about what they are making while they do it.
A screen-free art activity for Year 3
Children spend a lot of time on screens. This is a screen-free art activity that needs only paper and a pencil. It works as quiet time after school, a rainy day activity, a holiday boredom buster or a calm moment before bed. Screen-free learning gives eyes a rest and gets children talking, thinking and writing by hand.
Free art resources for teachers
Teachers can use this craft activity as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a supply teacher resource, a homework task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The learning focus and skills are listed above so you can match it to your planning, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Art ideas for parents at home
You do not need to be a teacher to use this. Read the sheet through, sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes work better than long sessions. If you are looking for free art worksheets for Year 3, or simple home learning for the weekend or school holidays, this is a good place to start.
Home education and tutoring
Home educators and tutors can print this as part of a wider art plan. It pairs well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Because the sheet is free and printable, you can use it again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Why it helps children learn
Hands-on, paper based activities slow learning down in a good way. Children read carefully, think before they answer and see their own progress on the page. Games and challenges add a reason to keep going. That mix of play and practice is why printable activities like this are popular with parents, teachers and home educators.
Frequently asked questions
What age is Cave Painting Craft for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2.
What will children practise?
Children explore how Stone Age people made art with natural colours and create their own cave painting (Key Stage 2 art and design and history).
How do I use it?
Practise your animals on this sheet, then make a big version on scrunched brown paper.
What if it feels too hard?
Trace a simple animal shape first. Use thick lines.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use.
Is Cave Painting Craft suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
Is this a screen-free activity?
Yes. It is a screen-free printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
Can I use it for home education?
Yes. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan. It is free to print again for brothers, sisters or revision.
How long does it take?
Most children finish page 1 in 10 to 20 minutes. The notes on page 2 suggest ways to make it shorter or longer.
Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
More free printables
More for Key Stage 2 | More art printables | Free printable games | All Mini Minds Hub resources