# Fork Tulip Painting
> Press a 3-pronged fork into paint and print it in two motions to make tulip blooms, then paint on green stems and leaves. Simple printmaking with a kitchen tool.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/spring-art-tulip-painting/
- Ages: 2–6 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: medium
- Time: prep 10 min, activity 20 min
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class
- Skills: printmaking, fine-motor, colors, patterns

## Materials (one batch)
- 1 piece 3-pronged fork
- Washable kids' paint (assorted flower colors)
- Green paint
- 1 piece Paint brushes
- 1 sheet White paper (household)
- Plates or trays for paint (household)

## Substitutions
- Instead of green paint: Green washable kids' paint (Safer and easier to clean up than acrylic for young children.)

## Safety
- Watch toddlers so they don't put the painted fork in their mouth.
- Use washable kids' paint for little ones.

## Steps
1. Pour each paint color onto a plate.
2. Press the fork firmly into the paint so both the prongs and the base get paint.
3. Print the prongs on the paper first.
4. Press the base of the fork right below to finish the tulip.
5. Print more tulips in different colors.
6. Paint green stems and leaves under each tulip.
7. Let the painting dry.

## Tips
- It is very important to use a 3-pronged fork to get the tulip print.
- Keep it open ended for younger kids — my 2-year-old just printed with the prongs in different colors, and that's her spring art!
- Join in — my children love it when I paint with them and we look at all our art work together at the end.
- Wait until little ones are old enough not to eat the paint off the fork. (from readers)

## FAQ
**Where can I get a three-prong fork?** The post links a 3-pronged fork on Amazon; any fork with three tines works.
**What type and brand of paint did you use?** Crayola Washable Kids Paint for the tulips; the stems and leaves were painted with green acrylic.

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2013)

### Printmaking with kids : Use kitchen cutlery to create beautiful spring art.

My favorite season used to be fall. Now I'm a convert. To celebrate the wildflowers in full bloom, we have been having fun outdoors with tons of hikes and nature walks. To bring the season indoors we did this fun *spring art* activity which is great for both toddlers and preschoolers.

Materials

- **[3 Pronged Fork](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001MS8JW/?tag=blmemo-20)**
- **[Crayola Washable Kids Paint](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004UBH3/?tag=blmemo-20)**
- **[Crayola Art and Craft Brush Set](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M04T0E/?tag=blmemo-20)**

***It is very important to use a 3-pronged fork to get the tulip print***

### Process for creating this gorgeous fork tulips spring art

Using the 3 pronged/tined fork we pressed firmly into the paint while making sure both the prongs and the base get paint.





While printing she made sure to print using a 2 step motion. *First to get the tines of the fork printed, then she got the base printed to complete the tulip.*



Once we printed using our forks, we drew the stems and leaves using green acrylic paint.



My toddler on the other hand is not very focused on the design or the pattern element of the spring art activity. Well yeah she is 2. For her the fun was to simply print using different colors. As you can see only the prongs got the paint and hence the prints. But that's her spring art! It's always best to keep the art project as open ended as possible when playing with younger kids. My preschooler however starts any art activity with the " What design are we making?" So it's different with her.



I love my toddler's unique and original open ended art work. She enjoyed every bit of the process.



My "design and pattern" loving 4 year's old work.



It's always fun to participate in the activity with the kids. My children love it when I join them and finally we take a look at all our art work.



Some more spring crafts we have done in the past.

For more spring activities take a look at our [**Spring category**](https://www.funlittles.com/category/season/spring-season/) page.

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