Spring is the perfect time to do splat art with your kids. Cover as many surfaces as you can, lay out the supplies; then stand back and let the fun begin. While splat art for kids may be messy, it also has some educational benefits for preschoolers.
Spring Art For Kids
In the spring, our fields and verges in Ireland are awash with the yellow of beautiful gorse bushes and daffodils. The temperatures are starting to warm up and the days are finally getting a little longer.
Start this new season with a super fun process art activity for kids using the bright colors of spring to bring it to life.
Spring Splat Art Painting
Sometimes it’s good to just let your kids go for it with an activity and this is what process art is all about. We can spend far too much time worrying about the end result, and we often lose sight of what is actually important. Art with kids should be about exploration and freedom of expression, not doing it for them to create “Pinterest perfect efforts.”
There is no right or wrong way to paint a picture and this is such a self-esteem booster for young kids. They can take pride in their own efforts and enjoy the comments they receive for them from their peers and caregivers.
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
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Splat Paint Supplies
- Brightly colored paints
- Paintbrushes of different shapes and sizes
- A large sheet of paper
Team Work
Splat Art is the perfect activity to do as a team. Working side by side on a project helps promote strong bonds and a mutual respect for each other’s work. There may be a few hiccups along the way, but then that is all part of learning as well.
I enjoyed doing this splat paint activity at home with my 3 kids. They were all tired and cranky after a busy day, so after fuelling them up with a snack, we set about releasing their mid-afternoon frustrations with this fun spring art activity.
I laid out a large sheet of paper over a table, loaded up paper plates with brightly colored paint, and laid out a selection of paintbrushes and kitchen brushes for them to plunge into the paint and then flick and splat all over the paper.
Splat Process Art
The kids needed little instruction on getting started and all dived into the paint and quickly began flinging it all over the paper. I did have to step in to bring my older son under control a little, as he was getting the paint over a lot more than just the paper.
They laughed and giggled their way together until all of the paint had been used up and then they demanded some more. I obliged but only under the proviso that they help me to clean up the floor after they had finished. Next time I will definitely remember to cover the floor with an old sheet or a few towels or even take the activity outside.
Let the paint dry and then hang up your art or you could cut out flower petals or egg shapes and make a card or a Spring collage. Add buttons or pompoms and glue to complete your collage or card.
Contributed by Nicola of Crafty Kids at Home.
More Spring Ideas
Changing seasons offers a great time for preschoolers to explore and learn. As they see the changes around them (or as celebrations arise), they are naturally primed to know more about the world around them. So here are a few more lesson plan ideas for Spring!
Spring Movement Games (Pre-K Pages) – This is a fun and active movement game to work on gross motor and literacy skills. And, you only need a few supplies to prepare the whole group activity.
Retelling a Spring Book with Puppets (Pre-K Pages) – sing puppets, along with other storytelling props, is an easy and fun way to make books come to life for preschoolers. We’ve found a wonderful book to incorporate into puppet storytelling and it’s perfect for Spring!
Flower Play Dough (Pre-K Pages) – Kids love play dough any time of the year, spring, summer, winter or fall. When you make your own play dough you can get creative with your colors and ingredients to make it extra fun for your kids.
Flower Alphabet Match (Pre-K Pages) – This alphabet activity will have children learning about uppercase and lowercase letters with a fun spring twist.
Pretend Play Garden (Pre-K Pages) – I love pool noodles, they’re very inexpensive and they can be used for many things. These pool noodles with contoured edges are just what I have been looking for to create a dramatic play garden!
Free Flower Math Game Printable
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