Paintbrushes not required

Part of the fun of being a preschool teacher is trying out all sorts of new ideas and finding unique materials that your students will enjoy exploring and creating with.   Today I am sharing a variety of ways to explore the painting process without using brushes…

Paintbrushes not required by Teach Preschool

If  your children ever get bored or tired of painting, then I encourage you to take a look a look at your materials and see how you can change the process to make it more interesting.  Sometimes, it is as simple as digging through your kitchen drawers or even your recycle box to find something that will spark new interest in painting.  Do you have any sponges under your sink that could be repurposed?  How about using them for some rainbow sponge painting

Rainbow sponge painting

 

 

Another similar idea, but on a much larger scale, would be painting with a mop.  What a great way to explore art and to get in a little large motor activity, as well…

Wy and Mop Painting

 

Have you ever painted with spray bottles?  Check out our colorful sprinkle paint activity!  We used powdered paint and sprayers for a two step process, but you could just as easily mix some watercolors into your bottles and paint with those…

Colorful sprinkle painting from Teach Preschool

 

Droppers or pipettes are a staple that every preschool classroom should have.  They are super cheap and can be used in a multitude of ways for both science and art.  Drip drop painting is an awesome way to paint without a brush at the easel…

Drip Drop Painting at the Easel by Teach Preschool

 

Most preschool teachers will have heard of marble painting or car painting.  Those are classic painting activities that everyone should try!  But another great painting activity that will get your children moving and shaking is acorn paintings.  Perhaps you don’t have any acorns laying around outside.  Then try using another kind of nut or small rock instead…

Beautiful acorn paintings by Teach Preschool

After seeing a lot about pendulum painting, we decided we had to give it a try.  It was as messy as you would expect, but also a really fun way to paint too!

Pendulum Painting in Preschool by Teach Preschool

 

Plexi-glass is a really cool material, not often found in preschool classrooms, let alone used for painting.  Plexi-painting is another really unique process to explore with children, no paintbrushes required…

Plexi-painting

 

The number of ways you can stamp or create prints is virtually endless.  If it can hold paint, you can make a print with it.  Here are just a few of the materials we have stamped or printed with over the years.  Egg cartons

Dipping the egg carton into paint

Water bottles

Bright and Beautiful Water Bottle Flower Painting by Teach Preschool

 

Dominoes

Designing with Dominoes by Teach Preschool

And even scrunched up paper can be used for making prints.  The list goes on and on…

scrunch painting 032

Don’t forget the painting tools that you were born with.  Finger painting is always so much fun with preschoolers!  These DIY fingerprint paint pads make great fingerprints and are a breeze to clean up…

DIY Fingerprint Paint Pads by Teach Preschool

 

And lastly, use those hands and feet as big paintbrushes for some awesome large scale painting!

photo-41

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Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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