Arcimboldo-Inspired Art: Making Funny Faces with Fruits and Vegetables

Create fun faces using fruits and vegetables! This hands-on activity helps children develop their scissor skills and creativity. Inspired by Montessori principles, it’s perfect for PreK and preschool-aged kids, whether at home or in the classroom.

While creating picture cards of famous world masterpieces, I revisited the unique artwork of Giuseppe Arcimboldo. His imaginative portraits made me wonder, “Would kids enjoy making something similar?” That’s when I decided to design a fun collage art activity in his style—and the results were amazing!

How It Works:
Because creating detailed art like Arcimboldo can be tricky, we simplified it! Start by choosing a base face template. Then, cut out small face parts (like eyes, noses, and mouths) and let your child glue them onto the template to make silly and creative faces. It’s a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of art while boosting their fine motor skills.

Why Watercolor Illustrations?
I chose soft watercolor illustrations for the fruits and vegetables to keep the activity playful and imaginative, rather than using realistic photos, which could be overwhelming. The parts are designed to be easy to cut and fit perfectly onto the face templates.

Tips for Parents:
Before your child starts, create a sample face together so they can see what the finished product might look like. This helps them understand the concept and get excited to create their own version!
Ask guiding questions like, “Which part looks like it could be the eyes?” or “What should we use for the nose?” to engage them even more.

How to Print:
Print the files on A4 size, slightly thicker drawing paper for durability.
Carefully cut out the shapes along the lines.

What’s Included:
Digital download only (no physical items).
Scissors, glue, and other tools are not included.

Encourage Creativity!
Even if the cuts aren’t perfect, that’s okay! Embrace the little imperfections—after all, it’s your child’s unique artistic touch that makes the project truly special.

Please note that this PDF file contains a lot of images, so it may take a moment to fully load. Thank you for your patience as you enjoy the fun of making art with your child!