The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · July 2014
Ages3–6 yrs
Prep10 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessMedium
Works for1:1 · Small group
Dip the rubber tips of toy arrows in kids paint, then shoot or press them onto a big sheet of paper taped to an outdoor wall for active, collaborative art.
⚠️ Safety first
- Use only toy arrows with soft rubber or suction-cup ends, and shoot only at the paper target, never toward people, faces or pets.
- An adult supervises the whole time, especially while kids are shooting.
- Keep anyone not shooting to the side or behind the archer.
- Use washable kids paint and wash hands after.
Steps
Put a few blobs of different colored kids paint on paper plates.
Tape a large sheet of white paper to an outdoor wall.
Press the rubber end of an arrow into a color of paint.
Load the painted arrow on the bow, aim at the paper and shoot.
Or hold the arrow and press its painted tip onto the paper to print.
Stick a paper plate on the end of an arrow and press it onto the paper to paint.
Dip the arrows in new colors and keep printing until the paper is full.
Tips
- Any kids paint will do!from the author
- My 5 year old pulled a Merida and shot the arrows. My 3 year old enjoyed just printing with them, so younger kids can stamp by hand.from the author
- A great collaborative activity for siblings. Ours had loads of fun giggling while printing with the arrows.from the author
- Painting with plates stuck on the arrow ends was a fun extra.from the author
Make it your own
- Try water shooter painting (idea from Fantastic Fun and Learning).
- Try squirt bottle painting (idea from Mess for Less).
- Skip the bow and use the painted arrows as stampers.
What readers say
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Mary Catherine (@Fun_A_Day) · Jul 2014
I LOVE this idea! I know a lot of kiddos who would love to paint with arrows!