Check out this simple and fun painting action art activity called Splatter paint, that is perfect for kids of all ages. This activity is a process art activity that incorporates your child moving their body while painting.
If you want more art ideas for your kids, check out the Melted Crayon Art – Painting Kids Craft!
What Is Process Art?
This type of art is more about the process of creating than it is about the result of the creation. “Process art is developmentally appropriate for preschoolers and kindergarteners who have yet to acquire the fine motor skills and self-awareness to represent objects accurately. At this stage, children enjoy experimenting with art media and found objects to better understand what they are and what they can do.”
Splatter painting is a perfect example of process art because there is not a right or wrong way to create it.
Video of the activity
Supplies Needed
- White Cardstock
- Black Paint
- Paint Brush
- Paint In A Variety Of Colors
- Tub (or container to contain the mess)
There are many ways that this splatter art can be created, but this is how we did it.
Always begin with clean-up in mind
The first thing to consider is putting the paper in a tub or on a wide newspaper space. As children will be splattering paint, it could bet messy pretty quickly. You could also do this activity outside and then you wouldn’t need the tub or newspaper.
We started out by painting a piece of white paper completely with black paint. I thought the paint splatters would stick out more on black but white would be great, too. You could skip painting it black if you’d like.
If you do choose to paint the background black, paint it completely and then let it dry for a bit. I does not have to be completely dry, but to ensure that the paint splatters do not mix in with the black, the black paint needs to be mostly dry.
You might also like this Fly Swatter Painting from Little Bins for Little Hands.
Once your ‘canvas’ is ready, choose a paint color to start with.
Grab a paint brush and dip it in the paint generously. Hold the handle of the paint brush in one hand, holding it over the black paper. With the other hand, using your palm, hit the paintbrush.
From the movement of your wrist, the paint will splatter on the paper, leaving random dots and splotches of paint.
Instead of using a paintbrush you can use other items too, like a spoon or toothbrushes. Or try different brushes and sizes to see the different effects and splatters you get.
Grab a new paintbrush, or rinse off the first color, and repeat the process with a different color. Repeat over and over until you get the look that you are happy with. Just remember, there is no right or wrong way to do this and there is not a way that it is ‘supposed’ to look!
How gorgeous is this artwork? Against the black the paint colors are so vibrant.
You can create a frame around the art by taping painter’s tape to the sides before you start painting it black.
We did this activity in South Africa at a place called Artjamming. They had a whole splatter room, which was FUN!
More Ideas
- Take this activity outside and have no stress, messy play!
- Try using watercolors instead (on watercolor paper) but make sure to use gloves then.
- Use themed colors, for instance red, green, yellow and white, for a Christmas splatter paint. Pink, red and white for Valentine’s Day.
- Leave the paper white, instead of painting it black.
- Wear clothes that can get dirty. Or use an art apron so your painters don’t get dirty.
- Try one of these 11 Painting Activities from The Artful Parent.
- Raised Salt Painting
- Colored Ice Painting
- Paper Towel Painting – Easy Painting for Kids
This would be such a fun activity to do at kids’ parties.
When the splatter paint art is dry, you can do so many different things with it. Here are some fun ideas:
- Display the art on clipboards hung on your school room or playroom walls.
- Fold in half and use as a book cover for an art book, journal or portfolio.
- Fold in half and write a letter to someone special and send in the mail.
- Use as wrapping paper.
- Laminate and use as place mats.
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