Art Projects
Autumn
Math & 123sToddlersPreschoolers13 Comments
Get in the mood for autumn with a simple and fun fall painting project for kids to try!
The boys and I had a creative morning. I grabbed some paints in fall colors, some canvas paper, and Paint Dab Markers we received from CraftProjectIdeas.com.
DIY Easy Fall Painting Project for Kids
I had a really fun, fall art scene planned for the kids to make with an art technique I’ve been wanting to try for ages!
I had a great idea for a cool pulled-string fall painting project.
This activity is based on one I saw pulled string painting done at Inspiration Laboratories. She has great instructions (with photos) that I followed – we did Method #2!
To DIY your own fall painting project, you’ll need:
- Paint in fall colors: brown, orange, red, yellow
- Paint dabbers
- Canvas paper or sturdy paper
The boys weren’t into this project (keep reading to learn why that’s 100% a-okay). So I did it myself!
Start with a piece of paper folded in half the short way to make a square.
Dip several pieces of yarn in the paint colors. We used red, orange and brown.
I ran my fingers over the yarn to smooth out the globs of paint. Then, I laid them on one side of the folded paper.
I kept them mostly towards the top half of that side.
The trick to pulled string art is to leave the end of the string hanging off the edge of the paper.
Once the strings were laid out, I folded over the paper. I held it down with my hand as I pulled each string out.
To get more variety in shapes, I tried to pull the strings in different directions.
Then, open your paper and see what you painted! Every single design will be different.
Pretty cool art technique, huh?
Since I didn’t get the boys to do it, I didn’t think to take photos as I was going along.
String Pull Art for a Pretty Fall Tree
I wanted to make this a fall colored tree. The string art made the perfect base of fall leaves!
Next, I added a brown trunk by the crease on one side of the paper, folding the paper in half to continue the symmetry.
Finally, I pulled out the Paint Dab Makers and added dots of yellow, red, and green paint throughout the tree.
I just love this fall painting project for kids – even if my boys didn’t participate this time. Maybe I’ll entice the boys into trying it someday!
It’s the Process, Not the Product!
The boys didn’t want to try it my way and just wanted explore the paint in their own ways. Honestly, it was definitely a needed reminder that being hands-on is about the process, not the product!
Get over your own hands-on hang-ups with tips from a pro!
Sometimes activities just don’t happen that way I planned. Actually, they usually don’t go 100% my way!
That’s what makes them great. I usually just go with the flow and see what comes out of it.
Kids Love Exploring with Paint!
The boys absolutely loved the Paint Dab Markers. Mostly, they just love paint!
Henry mixed the colors together to see what he could come up with. George just enjoyed trying each one of them.
Even though the kids weren’t into this activity, I stuck with it for a few reasons.
One, to do a trial run of it to see if I had troubles with it. It’s important to test run new or possibly difficult activities and crafts – just in case.
We all know that directions can be confusing. By testing it out first, I had a better grasp of how to share with the boys down the road.
Secondly, I was hoping to entice the boys to want to do it by showing them the art technique. It didn’t work this time though.
Oh, well. I had a blast doing this fall painting project on my own!
What do you do when your kids don’t do what you plan on doing for the activity?
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basketball stars says
I have a strong affinity for this particular pastime and I am inclined to suggest that we give it a try.
Dkat says
Thanks for sharing. I like the ideas of exploring colors with the children. I hope to try this in school this fall. I especially like the ice cube painting idea.
Barb's Dayhome says
I love the string technique art project shown here and can’t wait to try it. This adult planned activity can always take a child in a different direction. Which means the children are using cognitive thought processes to create their own activity.
Genny @ In Lieu of Preschool says
Just came across this while searching on G+. Cute!! :)
Debs says
Oooh, so fun! We’ve not done pulled string painting before and will have to give it a go. Thanks for sharing! :)
Jen Fischer says
I absolutely love this activity – we will have to try it.
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories says
I love how you made a tree with the pulled string technique! My son will usually try something new with me for a few minutes. Then, he turns it into whatever he wants. If we’re painting, he always ends up painting himself.
Abbey says
Your tree looks great…and I can totally relate to the experience of having the children not do the activity as planned. Sometimes they come up with something better…sometimes not! I try to just remind myself it’s not about me and go with their flow. (I am more successful at going with the flow on some days than on others!)
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
Wonderful – I love the pulled string picture and it’s on my to do list of activities (think I may wait till the kids are a little older though) but what an effective way to produce a tree and the dot markers are perfect as well.