Yayoi Kusama Art Activities for Kids: 4 Creative Projects to Spark Imagination

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For our Artist of the Month, this November, the girls and I dived into the whimsical, spotty, and slightly surreal world of Yayoi Kusama. Known as the “Polka Dot Queen,” Kusama’s bold patterns, vibrant colours, and eccentric style inspired us to explore creative art activities for kids. From playful polka-dot pumpkins to an infinity room experiment, our family-friendly projects brought her iconic art to life in fun and imaginative ways. Perfect for sparking creativity and encouraging hands-on learning!

Who is Yayoi Kusama?

Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese artist renowned for her obsession with polka dots, infinity, and the interplay between the microscopic and the cosmic. Born in 1929 in Matsumoto, Japan, Kusama’s artistic journey began at a young age, inspired by vivid hallucinations of dots and patterns that seemed to engulf her surroundings – a theme that would later define her career.

Kusama’s work spans an impressive range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, installations, and even performance art. Her iconic Infinity Mirror Rooms, where lights and mirrors create endless reflections, invite visitors to lose themselves in a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of repetition and wonder. Kusama sees dots as a universal symbol of infinity and connection, reflecting both individuality and unity in a vast universe.

This fascinating artist was a trailblazer in addressing mental health through art and exploring themes of identity, feminism, and obsession.

Despite her international fame, Kusama has lived voluntarily in a psychiatric hospital in Tokyo since 1977, where she continues to create art daily at her nearby studio. Her resilience and creativity have inspired countless artists and fans worldwide, proving that art can be a profound form of self-expression, healing, and connection.

In her own words: “I am just another dot in the world.” Yet her work reminds us that even the smallest dot can leave an infinite impression.

Creative Resources for Kids: Yayoi Kusama

Before we dive into any activities, I love to set the scene by introducing the girls to the artist we’ll be exploring. We usually start by reading a kid-friendly book about their life and work—it’s such a wonderful way to spark curiosity and help them connect to the artist’s story. If you’re planning a Kusama-inspired adventure, here are a few resources we found especially inspiring:

Books We Love

Yayoi Kusama: From Here to Infinity! by Sarah Suzuki
This beautifully illustrated book introduces Kusama’s journey from a small town in Japan to becoming one of the most celebrated artists in the world. It’s engaging, easy for kids to follow, and packed with vibrant artwork that grabs their attention.
Yayoi Kusama: Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn’t Sorry by Fausto Gilberti
With its quirky illustrations and simple text, this book perfectly captures Kusama’s playful and unique style, making it ideal for younger children.
Yayoi Kusama (Little People, BIG DREAMS) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara (Author) and Ryoko Ichikawa (Illustrator)
Set to be released in February 2025, we haven’t had a chance to read this one yet, but we’re excited to explore Yayoi Kusama’s story with our kids soon. We’re looking forward to introducing them to the life of the “Polka Dot Queen” through this upcoming addition to the Little People, BIG DREAMS series!

Videos We Enjoyed

We also like to watch short, child-friendly videos to bring the artist’s world to life. Here’s one that we found especially engaging:

Becoming an Artist: Yayoi Kusama | Tate Kids
This video offered a wonderful and fun way for Mimi and Lou to see Kusama’s creative journey. It’s a fantastic resource for sparking their interest in art and helping them explore Kusama’s colourful world.

Extra Resources for Parents

If you’re looking to dive deeper yourself, here are some fascinating articles and videos about Kusama’s work that helped me plan our activities:

By taking a moment to learn about the artist first, we create a richer and more meaningful experience. The girls always have so many questions, and it’s amazing to see them make connections between Kusama’s life and their own creative ideas. I hope these resources inspire you and your little ones as much as they did for us!

Week 1 Of Yayoi Kusama Art Activities for Kids: Polka-Dot Pumpkins (Sort Of)

Armed with leftover pumpkins from Halloween and a pack of colourful dot stickers, I was ready to channel Kusama’s famous Pumpkin sculptures. Mimi, however, wasn’t having it. She declared her allegiance to stripes, leaving me to polka-dot solo. Lou, in her abstract genius phase, simply mashed dots into oblivion, creating what could only be described as avant-garde pumpkin couture. Let’s just say the pumpkins were… a collaborative masterpiece.

Week 2 Of Yayoi Kusama Art Activities for Kids: Human Canvas (a.k.a. Mum Becomes Art)

In true Kusama fashion, the girls decided I would be their dot-covered horse for the week. Armed with a sheet of stickers, they gleefully plastered me with polka dots. By the time they were done, I looked like I had been caught in a confetti cannon explosion. Kusama famously painted spots on a horse – turns out, toddlers don’t need a horse. A mum will do just fine.

Week 3 Of Yayoi Kusama Art Activities for Kids: Infinity (or Something Like It)

For our ambitious third week, we attempted to recreate Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms. Armed with fairy lights, a mirror, and our fort-building kit, we made a cosy infinity-ish room. The girls loved the twinkling lights, but the real fun came when Lou crawled into the fort and gasped in awe. The mirror didn’t quite capture infinite reflections, but it did reflect the chaos of two little ones determined to pull down every blanket. Close enough, right?

Week 4 Of Yayoi Kusama Art Activities for Kids: Dotty Scavenger Hunt

For our grand finale, we took the polka dots outside on a scavenger hunt through nature. The “spot the spots” game was a success: Mimi led the way, spotting bright red berries, dotted ladybirds, and “dot stones”. Lou, as usual, had her own interpretation of the mission – she gleefully collected handfuls of leaves and mud, which I interpreted as “spotted with magic.” It was a lovely way to connect Kusama’s love for nature with our own backyard adventures, proving that polka dots can be found in the most unexpected places.

Reflections on Our Yayoi Kusama Month

While our attempts may not land in a museum, they were filled with joy, exploration, and the occasional existential debate about the superiority of stripes over polka dots. Kusama’s work gave us a reason to play, experiment, and celebrate the quirky beauty of imperfection – plus, I now have polka-dotted pumpkins that double as modern art.

Through Kusama’s art, the girls explored creativity, self-expression, and even a sense of wonder about the world around them. Activities like the scavenger hunt and the Infinity Room experiment taught them to notice details and think outside the box – qualities I hope they’ll carry with them.

If you’d like to give Kusama-inspired activities a go with your kids, start with some dot stickers, fairy lights, and a healthy dose of humour. Just be prepared to become part of the art. Share your favourite creations in the comments – I’d love to hear about them!

If this post inspired you, don’t forget to save it on Pinterest for later and share it with other parents who love a creative activity. And if you’re not already following me on Instagram, come join the fun for more intentional parenting ideas, family-friendly art projects, and plenty of heartwarming chaos. Let’s inspire each other to turn everyday moments into something magical!