School-aged kids are introduced to background, middle ground, and foreground with this easy project. We’ve included a free printable to make this lesson easy for home or classroom use.

Exploring Grounds witH THIS tRI-fOLD

Many times artists will use three grounds within their artwork: background, middle ground, and foreground. In this project, kids will use a simple tri-fold technique to demonstrate these three grounds.

What are the Three “Grounds” in Art?

• Background: elements that appear furthest from the viewer, or behind everything else within the picture.
• Foreground: elements in the picture that appear closest to the viewer.
• Middle Ground: elements in the picture that appear to be placed between the background and foreground.

Related Link – Further Explore these three grounds in our Dimensional Underwater Scene.

Supplies Needed to Make the Grounds Tri-Fold Art Project

• Grounds Tri-Fold Printable printed on Cardstock – Download Below
• Scissors
• Coloring Medium of choice – crayons, colored pencils, etc.

Download the Grounds Tri-Fold Printable Here

Printing this file on cardstock makes for a quick lesson in background, middle ground, and foreground. The printable makes it easy to introduce these concepts without kids having to focus on drawing objects that will remain attached to the fold line. These simple objects are relatively easy to cut and kids are free to enhance the project by adding colors and details.

Directions to Make a Grounds Tri-Fold Art Project for Kids

Step 1

Fold and crease printable along the vertical lines to create a brochure style tri-fold.

Step 2

Cut along the edges of the house, bush, and solid tri-fold lines. Keep images attached to the fold line. If needed, use tape to easily reattach items.

Step 3

Open tri-fold where the center is visible. Using coloring medium of choice, completely fill this section to create a background.

Step 4

Fold over a side flap and color. This will become the middle ground.

Step 5

Fold over the other flap and color, creating the foreground.

Finished grounds tri-fold Art Project

I love how easy and quick this project is. Kids can refold their printable to have either the house or bush in the foreground, leaving the other to be the middle ground. They should also have a better understanding of background, middle ground, and foreground and how these apply in art. Since these projects are made on paper, they are easily framed, clipped, or displayed in your preferred style. 

Our Experience Making this grounds Tri-Fold Art Project

I teach this concept yearly and love how easy this project is. It makes a great, quick and easy lesson for my substitute folder. The kids can easily see how background, middle ground, and foreground relate to one another. They can also flip the objects to and from the middle ground and foreground to see how it alters the overall look of the project.

Grounds Tri-Fold Art Variations

• Kids draw their own designs using a blank piece of cardstock.
• Adapt project by drawing various holiday and seasonal decorations on the page.
• Since design is printed on cardstock, kids can explore using other mediums such as marker, oil pastels, or paint to complete project.

Other Fun printable Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog

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• Check out this super helpful two point perspective art project!
• I love this super fun blackout poetry art project!
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• You can’t miss this super fun fall still life art project!

Did your kids enjoy learning about background, middle ground, and foreground? How did they make their project unique?