For an easier challenge: -Allow the child to explore the materials on their own. -Discuss the colors they are mixing together.
For most children: -Ask the children to make different shapes. -Discuss the colors they are mixing together
For a trickier challenge: -Ask the children to make different letters and numbers.
Follow-up Ideas
-If you have the resources, take the materials outside and paint on the playground. The kids will enjoy being in the fresh air, and will probably find more materials to paint with.
-Give your children a variety of tools to paint with, such as strawberry baskets, bubble wrap, plastic forks and spoons, and pipe cleaners. Have them discover what their papers will look like if they paint with these materials!
-For a (somewhat) cleaner result, you could always replace the paint in this activity with glue.
Originating Idea
During recess time, I once helped a bunch of students pluck leaves, pine needles, pine cones, and flowers. We then took them back into the classroom and came up with this activity! We loved talking about the different textures and patterns that came from using the different objects as paintbrushes, as well as the result of mixing different colors together.
How to Make It
You set up several plates with paint and place them on the tables along with the construction paper. You will need to make sure there is enough construction paper so each child can make at least one painting. Cover the table in plastic garbage bags and tape them down with masking tape.
How to Implement It
During recess time, go outside with the kids and help them collect different objects. You can use leaves, grass, pine needles, wood chips-- anything that strikes your students' fancy! Once you are done, go back to your class and place your findings on the table. If your children have a hard time sharing, give them each a paper plate to put their natural objects in. Then, tell the children, "Today we're making paintings with the objects we found in nature! Tell me what your paper looks like after using the different materials!"
Most students will dip their materials in the paint and mix it around on the paper. The earlier students may want to just experience the paint on their hand, or manipulate the natural materials. Later students, however, will mix the colors together and talk about the results.
Once the children are done painting, they should go to the bathroom and wash their hands, faces, and whatever body parts they got paint on. Then they should find a seat near the book area and find a good book to read. Once all the students are done painting, the teacher should move the students' pictures to a place where they can dry. Then, they can remove the tape from the sides of the table, wrap everything up together, shove it all into another plastic bag, and throw it away. Once the tables are clean, the teachers should set up for snack.