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 NEW exhibit that Broadway fans will love!
EPCOT Festival of the Arts Activities for Kids
- Paint by Numbers Disney Mural – Join the paint by numbers Disney mural at World Nature.
- Kids’ Chalk Art – Beautiful chalk art on the walkway from Future World to Showcase Plaza and let kids create their own.
- 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.
Young Artists Will Love…
Keep in mind, the Paint by Numbers Disney Mural and the Kids’ Chalk Art are open 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily during the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, January 17 – February 24, 2025.
Paint by Numbers Disney Mural
NEW LOCATION! 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.
Last year 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.
Kids’ Chalk Art
Along walkway from World Celebration to Showcase Plaza you can browse breathtaking chalk art. And tucked along the side of the walkway, you can spend a few moments at the Kids’ Chalk Art station.
My young son felt so involved. He explained, “it’s my first time doing chalk art at Disney!”
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.
NEW Disney on Broadway Exhibit
2025 marks the first year of Festival of the Arts with Communicore Hall open at EPCOT. A beautiful exhibit is open inside the Hall with real costumes, real props, and real set design minatures 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.
- Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese – Pop Eats (Near Port of Entry)
- Crème de Brie en Petit Pain: Warm creamy brie in a house-made bread bowl (France Pavilion)
- Wagyu Bun: Steamed Bun filled with American Wagyu Beef served with Green Shiso Sauce (Japan Pavilion)
- Cotton Candy Funnel Cake: topped with powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, pink and purple sugar dusting, and cotton candy crunch (The American Adventure)
- Mozzarella Fritta: Flash-fried breaded fresh mozzarella with artist palette condiments (Italy)
- Carne Asada: Seared beef tenderloin, grilled queso fresco, refried beans, scallion, and ranchera salsa – El Artista Hambriento (Mexico 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.
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts dates are January 17 – February 24, 2025. 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!
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