Printmaking for kids is such a great process art activity, it gives kids a chance to explore different textures, colors, and patterns. Kids of all ages will be engaged with this project. There is not a lot of prep needed for this activity plus there is very little cost involved! Get the kids to help in searching out fun things that they want to try and make prints with. We searched our house and recycling bin and came up with some really fun and unique things!
Printmaking for kids with recycled materials
This post contains affiliate links, which come at no cost to you. If you would like more information please review my disclosure policy.
Supplies
- Get out your recycling bin and look for anything that might be good to print with, plastic lids, wine corks, rubber bands, crumpled plastic wrap, old toothbrush, the list is endless!
- Paper to print on. I used a roll of paper and covered our craft table(otherwise known as our dining room table!) and taped it down.
- Acrylic paint in a variety of colors
- Paint trays, I like to use recycled containers. They are free and easy to clean!
Get started
1. Start by taping your paper down. I love covering the whole table with paper for activities like this. It’s always fun to create on a larger scale, lots of space to explore. Plus since the whole table is covered, you don’t have to worry as much about paint getting on the table.
2. Lay out all of your printmaking tools and paint in your paint trays.
3. Let the kids have fun, create, and explore the different marks that each item makes!
Related: Cherry Blossom Painting with Cotton Balls
My kids loved this activity! The different items that we chose made some pretty cool images. One of my favorites was the jar lid covered with elastic bands. The pipe cleaner was pretty neat too. After a while, the colors start to mix together and you can get some really beautiful color combinations.
Check out our beautiful printmaking paintings:
Related: Field of Tulips Q-tip Painting
Once finished, you can use their creations for one of a kind gift wrap, or cut the paper up into smaller pieces and make them into cards or paintings to hang on the wall.
Kids of all ages will love this project. It’s a great preschool aged activity, as it creates great results no matter the age or skill. This type of printmaking for kids is one that you can do over and over again with different results each time just by changing the colors and types of printmaking objects that you use.
It’s so much fun to use non-traditional tools for painting. We used forks to create these Van Gogh inspired masterpieces!
Pin this project for later
