How Group Art Projects Teach Kids Empathy and Friendship
- Children's Art Museum International
- Sep 12
- 2 min read
In an increasingly connected world, empathy and friendship are more important than ever. One beautiful and effective way to cultivate these values in children is through group art projects. At the Children’s Art Museum International (CAMI International), we’ve witnessed how collaborative creativity opens hearts, nurtures bonds, and builds essential social skills across cultures.
Why Group Art Projects Matter
Empathy Through Shared Expression: When children create art together—whether painting a mural, crafting a collage, or building a shared sculpture—they learn to understand and appreciate each other’s emotions and ideas. Art encourages them to look beyond themselves and consider others’ perspectives. Research shows that art-based empathy programs led to real increases in empathy among youth
Collaboration and Social Skills: Collaborative art fosters communication, negotiation, and respect for different viewpoints. As children work side by side, they learn to listen, compromise, and create together—essential skills for building friendships and communities
Real-World Impact: Schools that immersed students in arts programs saw not only improved academic engagement but also notable gains in compassion and prosocial behavior. One study found that students with more arts experiences were more interested in others’ feelings and more likely to help peers
What Children Gain from Group Art
Benefit | Description |
Perspective-Taking | By seeing how others interpret a prompt or idea, children develop empathy and understanding |
Shared Achievement | Completing a joint artwork builds a sense of belonging, pride, and mutual support. |
Creative Confidence | Children feel empowered when their ideas merge into something greater than themselves. |
Emotional Learning | Discussing the feelings behind their collaborative work helps them name and share emotions more openly. |
Tips for Families, Educators & Museums
Co-Create a Mural or Canvas: Invite a group of children to collectively draw, paint, or collage a theme—like “Our Feelings” or “A Day in Our Lives.” Encourage them to discuss their choices along the way.
Pair & Share Art Sessions: Have kids draw what makes them happy, then swap pieces and illustrate how they think their partner might feel. This fosters empathy and understanding.
Story Through Art Chains: Start an illustration, then pass it on. Each child adds their own scene, encouraging collaboration, narrative-building, and emotional connection.
Community Gifters Wheel: Create artwork with the intention of gifting it to someone else (a neighbor, a teacher). This teaches thoughtfulness, generosity, and the emotional impact of sharing.
Reflective Talk-Backs: After the art activity, facilitate a group reflection: What did they feel creating together? What ideas surprised them? How did they support each other?
Group art projects are more than creative fun—they are powerful experiences of emotional connection. Through shared expression, children learn empathy, collaboration, and friendship in ways that stick long after the paint has dried. At CAMI International, our ArtFest: Draw Your Emotions celebrates this magic—bringing children together across borders to create, connect, and care.
Submit your kid's artwork today at www.childrensartmuseum.com and get them featured on our global gallery and social media.
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