4 Hands-On Activities at EPCOT Festival of the Arts for Young Artists

There’s a festival at EPCOT that stands heads and shoulders above the rest, especially for families. The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is a favorite among locals. And it is especially great for families because there are lots of interactive experiences.

Besides all the great food and drinks at the art festival, guests (including kids) can get involved in the art. Here are the top 4 hands-on activities for young artists at the EPCOT Festival of the Arts. Plus a returning exhibit that Broadway fans will love!

[INTERVIEW] How does the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts come together each year? Hear from Christopher Revetria, Disney Live Entertainment Producer, with our behind-the-scenes look and interview.

EPCOT Festival of the Arts Activities for Kids

• Paint by Numbers Disney Mural – Join the paint by numbers Disney mural at World Nature.
• Animation Academy at American Gardens Theater – Learn to draw a Disney character at 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily.
• Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt – Purchase a Figment scavenger hunt map at World Traders (at Showcase Plaza) and explore World Showcase as you find Figment in works of art.
• Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game Quest and Ink & Find Scavenger Hunt – Two magical quests new for the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Arts.

Young Artists Will Love…

Keep in mind, the Paint by Numbers Disney Mural open 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily during the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, January 16 – February 23, 2026.

Paint by Numbers Disney Mural

Now that the multi-year construction project is complete at EPCOT we finally have a new location for the beloved Paint by Numbers Mural.

Get your brush and small supply of paint to add to the paint by numbers Disney mural. Distribution of the supplies is on the walkway between World Nature and World Showcase.

Now that my son is elementary age he is finally old enough to appreciate this experience. This year it caught his attention quickly. We headed that way and entered the distribution line around 2:15 pm and by 2:25 pm we had our spot, ready to paint.

In years past, we walked by on our way out of the park, around 4:00 p.m. I noticed only a handful of people in line, so I jumped at the chance.

The first step is to visit the booth to get your sponge brush and small container of paint, which is labeled with a number. Then enter the line to get your spot on the mural. The Cast Member found us a spot that had room for my paint as well as my son’s, we each had our own color of paint.

My son loved being involved! He chatted up the Cast Members afterward. And he loved receiving the bookmark-style print of what the mural would look like once it is finished.

Animation Academy

At the center of World Showcase is the American Gardens Theater. It is here that you and your kid(s) can learn to draw a Disney character and take a nice break together.

The Animation Academy is usually at 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily.

BONUS IDEA – If your kid loves hands-on experiences, take them to Journey of Water Inspired by Moana.

Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt

Every EPCOT festival has a scavenger hunt around World Showcase. You can purchase a Figment scavenger hunt map at World Traders (at Showcase Plaza).

The great news is you do not have to finish the hunt to claim your prize. When purchasing your map you can ask for the prize right away if that is what you prefer.

Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game Quest and Ink & Find Scavenger Hunt

New this year is something I have mixed feelings about. But, I know many fans are excited to have Disney Lorcana in EPCOT. I just wish they could have found a way to keep the Kids’ Chalk Art station.

There are two complementary quests for 2026. My son isn’t quite into Disney Lorcana yet, but the Ink & Find cards on display around EPCOT certainly caught his attention.

• Open Disney Lorcana booster packs and trade cards with other Guests in the Illumineer’s Lounge in the Morocco Pavilion. Once you’ve collected your 4 cards, you’ll receive a limited-edition Magical Places promo card.
• Ink & Find Scavenger Hunt: Discover magical, larger-than- life trading cards scattered throughout EPCOT. Find cards, match them to the special ink stickers on your map and you’ll receive an additional limited-edition Magical Places promo card.

Bonus idea: Disney on Broadway Exhibit

Last year marked the debut of Communicore Hall at EPCOT. A beautiful exhibit opened inside the Hall with real costumes, real props, and real set design miniatures from all 30 years of Disney on Broadway hits.

Even if your family has not witnessed a Disney on Broadway production, your kids will recognize characters from The Lion King, Frozen, Aladdin, and more. Plus you can learn fascinating facts about what it takes to make these incredible Boardway productions a reality.

Top Food Picks for Kids at EPCOT’s Festival Of The Arts

The food of the art festival at EPCOT is the most creative of all the festivals. Even after scouring the menu for the most kid-friendly foods, the items are much different than standard simple kid focused food. But, this is a great opportunity to help your kids expand their horizons, without spending too much.

And, worst-case scenario, you’ll have plenty of food to enjoy yourself. These kid-friendly foods are listed starting near the Canada Pavilion and working your way around to the Mexico Pavilion.

2026 Quick Picks for Kids

• Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese – Pop Eats (Near Port of Entry)
• Popcorn, Popcorn Chicken and Waffles with rainbow popcorn, popcorn chicken, mini mozzarella, and maple syrup (Figment’s Inspiration Station at The Odyssey)
• Figment Fantasy Cake: Sponge cake filled with strawberry whipped cream topped with a white chocolate ganache, orange icing, and white chocolate Figment wings (Figment’s Inspiration Station at The Odyssey)
• Char Siu Pork Bun: Sweet-and-savory Cantonese-style BBQ pork in a steamed bun(The Painted Panda – China Pavilion)
• Wagyu Bun: Steamed Bun filled with American Wagyu Beef served with Green Shiso Sauce (Japan Pavilion)

My son loved the “Deconstructed Strawberry Mint Julep” from Deconstructed Dish near Test Track. This refreshing minty slushy comes with a squeezable vial of strawberry puree. And my son loved add the puree, and even squeezing some drink back into the vial to then drink from it.

Important Note: Kids’ Chalk Art

Along the walkway from World Celebration to Showcase Plaza you can browse breathtaking chalk art. Unfortunately this year with the addtion of the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game Quest and Ink & Find Scavenger Hunt, the Kids’ Chalk Art station is not being offered.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts dates are January 16 – February 23, 2026. While it is a shorter festival, it takes place during one of the best times of the year to visit Walt Disney World. Here’s to making masterpiece memories together!