As the toddler teacher in the daycare at which I work, I’m expected to do several art projects with my kids every week. It’s no problem for me; there are so many different projects available for toddlers. This is the age when they are learning to build their fine motor skills, so you have many options, depending on the child’s ability. These are some of my favorites that my kids enjoy as well. Remember, these art projects can be used with kids of any age, not just toddlers!
Bubble Wrap Painting
Cut squares from a sheet of bubble wrap, small enough for the kids to hold in their hands. Allow about 3-4 squares of bubble wrap per child. Put out some paper plates, with various colors of tempera paint. I used yellow, red, blue, green, orange and purple. Then, you will need some white construction paper to paint on. Before painting, be sure the kids’ clothing is protected, with either an art smock or paint t-shirt, or just take their shirt off altogether! Allow each child to dip a bubble wrap square into 1 shade of paint. Use only 1 square per color, so that colors don’t mix and you end up with brown. Then, let them press the square onto the construction paper, making prints. It turns out really well when you use multiple colors. Dispose of the bubble wrap when finished. Hang the paper up to dry.
Cotton Swab Painting
Gather some cotton swabs and different colors of tempera paint. Dress the kids in paint t-shirt to protect clothing. Allow the kids to paint on paper with their cotton swab. I’ve found that my kids love to paint with different things, other than just a plain old paint brush. This project was a lot of fun for them, even when some of the cotton got stuck in the paint and went onto the paper – that’s okay!
Confetti Collage
You really shouldn’t use real confetti for this, since it can be harmful to a child if they swallow any of it. Instead, cut paper up with scissors that cut different designs into the paper. Cut different colors of paper, using different scissors, it will resemble real confetti. Allow the child to put some glue on their paper, with a glue stick. My kids used to not be able to glue themselves, I had to help them – now they are getting better at it. I let them glue the paper itself, then place their confetti pieces wherever they want. When finished, they will have made their own collage from homemade confetti.
Fingerpainting
If you are daring enough to let your kids get messy, let them fingerpaint! For this, I advise either taking their shirt off, or covering their shirt with smocks. It will get very messy! Kids like to put stuff in their mouths, so be sure the finger paint you are using is non-toxic, which most brands are. Put a dab of paint onto a piece of paper, or a sheet of butcher paper, and let the kids go crazy! Use different colors if you’d like. Another idea with the same concept, use yogurt or chocolate pudding instead of paint. Provided there are no allergies to those foods, it can be a fun experience, and they can eat it too!
Tire Track Printing
For a transportation lesson I had, we came up with this project. Find a few toy cars with big wheels that you don’t mind getting paint all over. Most paint is washable, so it should come off the cars anyway. Provide some different color paints for each child. Let them “drive” their cars through the paint and onto paper, making tracks. My kids loved this so much, that I couldn’t get the cars off of them!
