SummaryThe material‐point method models continua by following a set of unconnected material points throughout the deformation of a body. This set of points provides a Lagrangian description of the material and geometry. Information from the material points is projected onto a background grid where equations of motion are solved. The grid solution is then used to update the material points. This paper describes how to use this method to solve quasi‐static problems. The resulting discrete equations are a coupled set of nonlinear equations that are then solved with a Jacobian‐free, Newton–Krylov algorithm. The technique is illustrated by examining two problems. The first problem simulates a compact tension test and includes a model of material failure. The second problem computes effective, macroscopic properties of a polycrystalline thin film. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.