Art Projects
Math & 123sToddlersPreschoolersGrade SchoolKindergartners11 Comments
We are in the midst of a laundry room redo. And we have one huge blank wall to fill.
I have been taking painting classes and I thought I could display some of my own art on that wall (mostly just because I’m running out of places to put them), but then I thought it might be fun to mix the kids art in with mine too!
I decided to do an art project with the boys that they could all do together, but have different outcomes.
That’s how this color by number canvas art project started.
I am also joining in a painting challenge this month with many bloggers.
My challenge is to make a tape resist painting. We love tape, so this shouldn’t be too hard, right?
Tape resist is perfect for parents, teachers and caregivers that want to have that ‘certain outcome’ of a project, but still lets the art project be about the process and not about that ‘certain outcome’.
See more about learning to let go of creativity control.
We started with a blank 16×20 canvas (an affiliate link if you’re interested, though I found ours cheaper at Walmart).
I did this with all three of my kids, they’re 6, 4 and 2. Before starting, I asked myself my 3 basic questions and read on to see how it worked.
The kids were in charge of their own taping. We used a favorite supply of mine, painter’s tape (affiliate link).
I gave them a few parameters:
- Tape three lines from top to bottom (landscape view) without crossing each other
- Tape two lines from side to side without crossing each other
Once they had their tape in place, I asked them to be sure to press along the tape everywhere because we needed to make sure it was sealed.
Then they counted the ‘squares’ that were made, there were 12.
Henry numbered each square of his, I did the same for George and Louis (I also taped Louis’s myself as a demonstration to the older two boys and also because Louis wasn’t ready to do this yet).
Then I prepared 5 colors of paint. We used my “grown-up” acrylic paints. But I think the kids’ washable paints would work just fine for this too. Just probably not the gel finger paints. (Those are affiliate links if you’re interested.)
I put them in dishes with a paintbrush for each color. You can do as many colors as you’d like, I did five because I wanted some to have 2 squares, with others having three. I didn’t want it ‘perfect’.
I quickly cut two pieces of scrap paper (one for each George and Henry) into 12 pieces and labeled them 1-12.
I turned them over and mixed them up.
For each square, we passed the paints around in a circle and drew a number to see what square got painted that color.
The boys each painted their square and passed their paint dish to the next person.
Then drew another number and painted that square the next color that came to them.
Louis didn’t join us at first (he just woke from nap and was still waking up), so I had done a couple of his squares to get started and to show the older boys.
He later joined us and had as much fun, if not more, as the other two.
Since Louis is only 2, he doesn’t know his numbers yet – so the the ‘color by number’ got tossed out the window.
He painted mostly however he wanted to, just switching colors when the other boys were ready to. He sometimes stayed in a square, most of the time not.
With canvases, be sure to color the sides too!
After all the squares were painted, the boys went back and touched up their paintings if they missed a side or had some white peaking through, they could fill it in.
Then it was time to wait for the paint to dry.
The next morning the boys were excited to peel off the tape to see their masterpieces!
And they are masterpieces! I am so excited to hang these up!
Take the challenge with us, find more information at Messy Little Monster!
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Roberta J Smith says
I was wondering where you purchased your canvases. I have 12 pre-kinders and need to find inexpensive ones. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Tabitha Lightfoot says
Hi Roberta! I’m not sure where she got these but you can get them at a dollar store!
violet banda says
This is lovely I wish to do this challenge also with my 3 years class.But if there is no measuring tape what other material can I use to measure the lines
Lamiaa says
It’s very nice one, l hope my toddler become bigger to do it together,even I will try now with him and my husband ,I like painting and drawing
Gwen Galloway says
This website rocks! I want to get my grandson art stuff we can make a mess with, but my funds are limited. Painting on canvas with the tape is so cool… Thank you for this great project!
Annalisa says
I just found this project and fell in love. My friend has a pair of twin girls who will be 3 in July, and as an honorary auntie, I hang out with them when possible. Their mom asked me if I could watch them for a while while she gets some necessary stuff done, and since I don’t have kids, I wasn’t sure what we could do. Thanks for your website, and thanks for this project!
Marc says
I’m totally doing this! What kind of tape and paint did you use?
Jamie Reimer says
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe I didn’t put that in the post (I will update it!) — I used acrylic paints and painter’s tape.
Louise says
I love this idea so much. What a great idea to play a number game at the same time as doing art! I bet they look amazing hanging on the wall together too.
Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids says
What a great and simple idea! I love doing crafts that are educational and fun. I’m going to have to do this with my kids.