Art & Crafts Projects for Young Children-Painting

I enjoy developing arts and crafts projects to include in story time activities. One semester, I attended a Creative Materials class at my local community college. This class was designed to develop art and craft activities for preschool, kindergarten and first grade students.

Listed below are nine simple painting projects. I hope you will find these activities useful and fun! Future blogs will include drawing, collage, resist, printmaking, texture rubbing, masks and weaving projects.

I do ask that these projects be used for personal use only and not for profit.

Blotto Painting

Provide tempera paint and construction paper. Fold the paper in half and open. Paint designs using one or more colors on one side of the paper. Fold the blank side of the paper over onto the painted side. Press the paper well with hands, then open and let dry. Notice the interesting textures made in the paint.

Coffee Filter Painting-Food Coloring

First, wet the coffee filter for varying results. Squeeze drops of food coloring from a height of about six inches or so onto the filter paper. Notice how the colors spread on the paper and mix with other colors. Use as many colors as desired.

 Coffee Filter Painting-Tempera Paint

First, wet the coffee filter. Fold the coffee filter like an accordion and and hold closed. Place paint either with a brush or fingers on the sides and edges of the filter. Open the filter to see how the colors have moved along the paper. Dry flat.

Marble Painting

Place a piece of construction paper in a shallow box. Pour a small amount of tempera paint in a pie tin. Each pie tin should have one color. Place marbles in the tins. Swirl the marbles around in the paint. Place the paint coated marbles in the box with the construction paper and move the box in a rotating motion.

Splatter Painting

Place a piece of construction paper on a flat surface. Load a toothbrush or other type of brush with watercolor or tempera paint. The paint can be shaken from the brush or a finger can be run over a toothbrush for a desired effect.

String Painting

Gather pieces of yarn, tempera paint and construction paper. Place the yarn in paint to coat the entire strand. Fold the paper in half and open. Place yarn coated with paint on one-half of the paper. Make a design. Fold the top half of the paper over the string and lower half of the paper. Allow a small piece of the string to stick out on the side. Gently lay your hand over the folded paper then pull the string out. Look at the beautiful design!

Watercolor-dry

Assemble watercolors, brushes, sponges and dry watercolor paper. Lightly moisten watercolors. Dab sponges in the paints and onto the dry watercolor paper. A toothbrush can be used for a splatter effect. Use small brushes to add details.

Watercolor-wet on wet

Items needed are watercolor paper, watercolors; a spray bottle is optional. Spray the watercolor paper with water or hold the paper under a running faucet. Place the paper on a flat surface. Dip the watercolor brush in water and then onto a pre-moistened watercolor. Paint with short or long strokes and observe the effects. Let dry flat or hang the paper if a drip effect is desired.

 Watercolor- wet on wet with salt

Items needed are watercolor paper, watercolors; a spray bottle is optional. Spray the watercolor paper with water or hold the paper under a running faucet. Place the paper on a flat surface. Dip the watercolor brush in water and then onto a pre-moistened watercolor. Paint with short or long strokes and observe the effects. Sprinkle salt over areas of the paint where the desired effect is needed. Let dry flat. Rub off the salt when dry.