In this post we will look at different ways to introduce kids to famous works of art, and provide a free printable craft template for Van Gogh Starry Night which you can use as a starting point with your child.
My boys love to get creative and express themselves with pens, paints and whatever creative materials they can get their hands on! But I have to admit I hadn’t really introduced them to any of the famous artists yet.

When Galt challenged us to recreate our own version of Van Gogh’s Starry Night this was a perfect opportunity to introduce the kids to one of the Old Masters for the first time.
Van Gogh’s Starry Night
Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night was painted in 1889, in Saint-Rémy in Southern France.
This painting was made using oil paint on canvas and is one of the most recognised paintings in the world.
Starry Night is estimated to be worth over $100 million for the original painting. But this painting is so famous and loved that it is pretty much priceless!
Van Gogh Starry Night Sponge Painting
We were sent outline drawings of the painting and a sponge painting kit to have a go at our own version.
We set out our empty templates and supplies and talked about the colours and whether Z wanted to keep his painting the same as the original or do his own version.
We used just four colours of paint, so this gave us an opportunity to think about what colours we would need to mix to create other shades that we needed for our paintings.
Z also thought carefully about what tool would be best. He decided that the roller would be best for the night sky background and then we could add details on top with the sponge shapes.
I’m happy for the kids to use their imagination and creativity in art projects, and feel that the activity is more about the process than the finished project so of course I was not going to insist that he followed the original painting to the letter.
As a modern child, seeing the town scene at the bottom of the painting Z felt that it’s only right to have a few cars down there for the town traffic!
Exploring art from the past gives a good opportunity to talk about life – what has stayed the same and what changes have come and gone.
It’s hard for kids to imagine that in those days there would not have been all of these modern cars filling the streets like we see nowadays!
But it’s also interesting to think of how many things do stay the same – like the stars and the night sky which cover us, and everyone in the world.
Whether born now or 1000 years ago, or wherever you are in the world we are all under the same stars. Maybe that’s part of the appeal of Starry Night.
As Van Gogh once said “Looking at the stars always makes me dream” (the rest of the quote is actually about death.. so maybe best not to share the whole thing with the kids!)
In the original painting, the space at the front is a dark green tree (a cypress tree) but with the outline on the template Z thought it looked a lot like a flame so he has made it into a fire, burning yellow and red to match the stars.
He used yellow paint underneath and then circle sponges with red paint to give more details to his flame.
We printed out several copies so that we could experiment and make a few different versions, which allowed him to enjoy the activity for longer.
We made about 4 versions in the end before Z moved on to making his own sponge paint creations on plain paper. Here’s another one:
Other Ideas for The Van Gogh Starry Night Template

This black and white starry night outline template can be used for even more than just sponge painting. Here are a few ideas, the possibilities are endless
Starry Night Coloring Page
Use the printable as a Starry Night coloring page to complete the picture with pencil crayons, felt tips or markers.
Kids of all ages will enjoy coloring in Van Gogh’s masterpiece in their own style.
Starry Night Q Tip Painting
Dip Q-Tips (cotton buds) in paint and fill in the picture by dotting all over, using the Q-Tip as your paint brush.
This is great for developing fine motor skills.
Starry Night Collage
Use scraps of ripped magazines and newspapers or even ripped fabric scraps to glue down onto the Starry Night outline template and complete your picture.
Starry Night Tracing Sheet
Place some tracing paper on top of the Starry Night Printable, and have a go at tracing it onto the new sheet of paper using a pencil
Starry Night Suncatcher
Place the template underneath a sheet of contact paper (sticky back plastic) and stick down scraps of colored cellophane or tissue paper, similar to the collage technique.
The do not stick the printable to the contact paper, as it will need to be removed after all of the tissue or cellophane is added.
An easy way is to tape the printable to the outside of the window (facing in so it can be seen from inside), then tape your sticky back plastic to the window (sticky side up) so that the kids can easily work on their Starry Night sun catcher collage.
Once they have finished, just remove the template from the outside of the window.
Van Gogh Starry Night Craft Template
If you would like to do these activity here is a preview of the template and you can download in PDF format below.
Log in to Grow
To download the template you may be asked to log into Grow. This is totally free, and the template will be immediately visible after signing in.
You can connect to existing accounts like your Facebook account to make this even quicker, and the content will become visible with just the one click.
Download Van Gogh Starry Night Template PDF
Click below to download your PDF file of the black and white outline Starry Night, to use as a template for your craft.
Terms of use: free for personal use, free for classroom use
Show your child a copy of the original painting, to look at together and talk about the art work.

More Van Gogh Art Projects for Kids
You might also be interested in these fun Van Gogh inspired art projects for kids. Looking at a variety of different Van Gogh painting including
- Sunflower
- The Chair
- Poppy Fields
- Blossom Tree
- Starry Night

Van Gogh Inspired Art Projects for Kids
Van Gogh Themed Art Projects for Kids
These handmade ornaments from Crayola are inspired by Van Gogh Starry Night and the blog post comes with a lesson plan
This art idea is inspired by Van Gogh's Blossom Tree and is perfect for Spring
You could also try making these scrunched tissue paper blossom trees
Use spice paint to make your own Van Gogh inspired Sunflower painting.
You could also make these paper plate Sunflowers, an easy craft for preschoolers.
Van Gogh has seven different paintings featuring Poppies.
Make your own version of his 1890 painting Poppy Field
Or try our poppy coloring pages for Memorial Day / Remembrance Day
Use forks to paint your own Van Gogh inspired master piece. This one is so much fun for kids!
Make your own 3D version of Van Gogh's famous painting The Chair
Starry Night finger painting is a perfect introduction to Van Gogh for the youngest artists
Use melted wax crayons to make a really cool textured version of Starry Night
Continue learning about Art with your child with our free color mixing printables
I’d love to see your child’s version of a Van Gogh masterpiece if you have a go with this template, Please feel free to come and share on the In The Playroom Facebook page!
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Originally posted May 2014, Updated and reposted May 2022 with more information
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
His paintings look great! I’m loving the addition of the car!
Very talent!beautiful sponge craft. We also had done it.
That’s a brilliant idea! Think I’ll be printing it off too 🙂
Cool! That looks so neat! I really need to try sponge painting with my daughter. She’s not terribly fond of finger painting and we’ve tried sponge brushes once. Thanks for sharing on the Pintastic Pinteresting Party.
Sponge painting! This is new for me. That’s look fun! My son would probably love this one. Thank you!
You’re so arty! That first picture is amazing! I love the idea of recreating masterpieces with sponge painting x
My daughter has that sponge painting set and she absolutely loves it!
I think it’s so much better than giving children some ridiculously bad line drawing of a tiger or an elf like you used to find in these sets 🙂
Oh wow! I adore Van Gogh and Starry Night is one of my all time favourite paintings…. I might have to get this for me… I mean my little girl!
Thanks so much for linking up to Homemade Thursday x
I just wrote a post on Van Gogh art for kids this week too, and yours is great! I love how you you’re using sponge painting. Very creative!
Ooohhh this looks so nice. Bright and the colors are vivid =) #brilliantblogposts
What a great idea!! I pinned it to do with my daughter this summer as we are looking at artists and going to do some activities like this then. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
One of my favourite Van Gogh paintings! Found your blog via 123 Homeschool 4 Me linky.
How fun and thanks for the template!! Stopping by from the Pin it Party and will be pinning this!
I’ve never tried sponge painting, but it’s now on my list. This is a great idea! PINNED IT! I’ll be doing this activity with my little boy. So glad I found this at the #PinItParty.
This looks wonderful. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts. Please add my badge or link back if you can. Thanks
Grace says – Awesome job – bet you had loads of fun painting these. Hope you didn’t get too messy!!!!
Thanks for linking to #minicreations
This is such a lovely idea, and great for getting creative! Thanks for sharing the template. #pintorials
Great ideas! This would be a great post to link up to our Learn Through Play Hop!
http://suchamama.com/2014/05/01/learn-through-play-hop-10/
thanks! I will do 🙂
Love how he interpreted the painting! Brilliant . I’ve looked at these kits and thought they looked good. #Pintorials
Great paintings. Lovely simple way to get creative.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
Lovely idea to have the line drawing underneath. Guides without dictating. #Pintorials
I think it turned out brilliantly – well done Mr Z! Great colours 😀
#Pintorials
I LOVE this! What a cool idea and thanks for the printables! Thanks for linking up at the Toddler and Preschool Moms Pinning Party. I will be featuring this tomorrow!! 🙂
thanks so much! 🙂
Thanks for linking up at #Pintastic Pinteresting Party. What a great way to teach your children and to have fun at the same time. This activity looks fantastic. I am sure my grandchildren would love it.
What a great activity!! I love it! My daughter will love to do it as well. We have been reading some picture books (and board books) about famous artists. My goal is to take her to the Fine Arts Museum this summer. We have also been doing lots of color explorations and learning about color.
Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!! And congratulations on being most clicked this week!
You had me at Starry Night! OMG I love this project! This year I’m going to be introducing the girls to famous artists, this will be a great project. Thanks for sharing!
Great activity, and I really like “Exploring art from the past gives a good opportunity to talk about life “. Projects like this offer many opportunities to discuss additional important lessons. Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Spot!
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing via Mommy Monday!
XOXO
This is so neat, thanks!
Thank you so much for including us, Anna! So many beauties here! Pinning and sharing on my fb page. 🙂
Oops! Meant to leave my comment on your star round-up post! heehee
thanks jackie! 🙂