Supplies Needed:
Zip top bag
Paper (watercolor paper is best, but anything works!)
Paint (tempera, acrylic… whatever you’ve got)
Packing tape (optional, but highly recommended!)
Cut down a piece of paper so that it fits easily into a zip-top bag. Before putting the paper into the bag, squirt small amounts of paint around the page. You can use as many, or as few colors, as you’d like. Carefully slide the paint-dotted paper inside of the bag, and zip it closed. Try to get out most of the air before sealing, but be gentle so you don’t squish the paint too much. Let your kiddo use their fingers to drag the paint around, making a beautiful abstract painting! This is a great low-prep, low-clean up sensory activity for young kiddos; you can simply let them be creative, or talk to them about color mixing before they begin.
When you’re done, either toss the whole thing without opening to keep it entirely mess free! If you want to save their masterpiece, wait until the kids are asleep (because this part is MESSY), then carefully open the bag and slide the paper out onto a newspaper-lined surface to dry for at least 24 hours.
The best part of this activity: if they hate it or get bored, you simply move-on. No warp-speed paint clean-up necessary!
Pro-tips:
- Use packing tape over the zip seal to keep out curious fingers, and/or tape the entire bag onto a table or tray.
- For older kids, try drawing designs in marker on the page before adding paint (or using a coloring page), and let them “color it in” with their fingers!
- Prepare several bags ahead of time and switch out as needed to make this activity last.
Real Moms. Real Life. 