purposeful play
painting with apples
This is such a fun and simple art activity to do with your kids!
First-pour paint onto a paper plate.
Cut an apple in half and have your child dip the apple in the paint and stamp the apple onto paper.
TIP: Pierce the back of the apple with a fork or corn on the cob holder for easier handling.
Variations:
Use different colors and different textured paper.
Have your child use primary colors (red, blue and yellow) and dip the apple into two colors to create a new color.
Write the word “apples” on the paper and have your child apple stamp along the word.
Ask your child to come up with a color pattern to stamp (example-red apple, blue apple, red apple, blue apple).
materials
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Apples cut in half
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Tempura paint
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Tray or paper plate for paint
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Paper
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Fork or corn on the cob skewers
Purpose
Strengthens fine motor skills
Experimenting with color mixing
Just plain FUN
Engages creativity and imagination
Practice with patterns
purposeful play
self portraits
Self portraits are a great way to track your child’s development over time. They also make for very endearing keepsakes!
Every few months ask your child to draw a self-portrait and see how their abilities and ideas change!
After they are finished, ask your child to tell you about their portrait. Write what they say on a note card and keep it with the drawing.
Proudly display their portrait somewhere in your home!
materials
paper
writing utensils
Purpose
Strengthens fine motor skills
Allows your child to express themselves
Improves early writing skills
Helps children develop a sense of self
purposeful play
Create a Bug
Kids will love this super fun yet simple art activity!
Before you begin, sit down with your child and read some books about bugs together. Point out the different features each bug has. Talk to your child about what bugs all have in common.
Example: All insects have a head, thorax and abdomen as well as 6 legs and two antennae.
After you’ve finished reading and talking about what you’ve read-it’s time to create!
Simply, set out all the supplies and see what fun bug creations your little one creates. See the list of materials below.
Using construction paper-cut out lots of different shapes in a variety of colors.
Cut out long thin rectangles to use as legs.
Using a hole puncher, create lots of small dots for spots.
Set out googly eyes if you have them for some added fun!
materials
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variety of paper shapes
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long thin paper rectangles
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small paper dots
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googly eyes
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glue sticks
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dot stickers
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glitter glue
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cotton balls
Purpose
Strengthens fine motor skills
Teaches the anatomy of a bug
Wonderful book extension activity
Engages imagination and encourages creativity
variations
Go to the library and pick out books about bugs before you introduce the bug project. Talk about different types of bugs. Discuss how bugs are the same and how they are different. Talk about how bugs have antennas, 6 legs, a head, a thorax and an abdomen.
After the bug has been created, ask your child to tell you a story about the bug they created. Write down-word for word-their story and display the story next to their bug creation.
This is an excellent activity to include into a Bug Study. Learn more about Focused Studies here.
purposeful play
marble painting
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Place a piece of paper on the bottom of a tray
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Add a drizzle of paint and some marbles.
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Roll the tray around so the marble moves through the paint making lots of fun designs!
Purpose
Strengthens fine motor skills
Fun with color mixing
Teaches cause and effect
tips
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Add just a little bit of paint OR water down the paint to prevent the marble from getting stuck
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Try different sized marbles for different effects
materials
paper
tray
paint
marbles
purposeful play
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