Get ready, get set, SPRAY!
Have your child exploring the use of water with an added touch of food color. First, have your child pick out the colors of food coloring they want to use. Add each color to a different spray bottle with water and then use the bottles to spray a white piece of paper to create a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art!
🧹 Messy alert! Take this one outside so you don’t make your floors, walls and furniture into artwork as well.
🎨 Get extra creative: Once the paper is dry, your child can draw on it with a black paper or crayon for an extra creative backdrop.
📚 Books to explore: The Water Hole by Graeme Base, The Drop in my Drink: The Story of Water on Our Planet by Meredith Hooper, and Water Dance by Thomas Locke
Materials
For this activity you will need:
Food coloring (2-3)
Spray bottles (2-3)
White paper
Learning Outcomes
Domain
Social
Skills
Social interest
Indicators:
Engaging in short group activities
Instructions
Step 1:
Have your child pick 2-3 colors of food coloring they want to use.
Step 2:
Set up an area outside that your child can use the spray bottles in.
Step 3:
Fill the spray bottles with water and food color of their choice.
Step 4:
Let your child have fun spraying the white paper with the water.
✨ Pro tip: For a stronger color, don’t add too much water. Note that the color will also lighten once the paper dries.
⬆️ For older preschoolers: Have your child use the less direct spray as it is harder to create with it. Also have them mix the colors for their art.
⬇️ For younger toddlers: Helping them point and squeeze the spray bottle will be needed. Don't have a lot of water as it makes it heavier for them.
Playful Questions
What colors should we use?
What are things we use water for?
What does a spray bottle do?
What happens if we mix these colors together?
Where does water come from?