Kids dip wooden and foam blocks (cubes, cuboids, triangles, cylinders) in bright acrylic paint and print with them on colored paper. They create any art they like using just basic shapes. It is open-ended process art that toddlers, preschoolers and grown-ups can all do together.
Gather wooden and foam blocks: cubes, cuboids, triangles and cylinders.
Cover the floor or table with paper and set out a few sheets of colored paper for each child.
Squeeze small puddles of a few bright acrylic colors onto paper plates.
Give the creative prompt: "Create any art by using just these basic shapes."
Dip one face of a block into the paint and press it onto the paper to print.
Try every shape and textured face. See if you can make a pattern.
Older kids: plan a scene first, then choose the shapes to build it, like a circle for the sun and cuboids for the rays.
Let the artwork dry and sign it.
Optional: once dry, add details like windows with a marker.
💬 2 comments
🎉 Worked for us
A mom of a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old loved that one setup suits multiple ages at the same time.
“I just love that this is beneficial for multiple ages at once-so helpful for me with a 5 year old and 2 year old.”
✨ Readers' twist
For older kids, a reader suggests first showing images of places built from shapes, so they can choose to create a picture with the shapes.
“you can show them images of places with shapes before you give them the sharpie or shapes to stamp with.”
Read all 2 comments
faigekobre · Nov 2013
This is a great activity. If the kids are a bit older you can show them images of places with shapes before you give them the sharpie or shapes to stamp with. This way they can have the choice to create a picture with the shapes
Jaimi@ The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide · Nov 2013
I just love that this is beneficial for multiple ages at once-so helpful for me with a 5 year old and 2 year old. The colors are phenomenal! It is never boring to watch children being creative. Thanks for this idea!