Make Rubbings, Gloop, and Fluffy Paint
- Apr 19
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
With the international lockdown continuing, thinking of things to do at home can be tough!
This post features three kids art projects you can do at home:
Exploring surfaces around the house (and make rubbings of them)
Messy play with gloop
Experimentation with fluffy paint
Exploring textures through rubbings by Laura Fantini
The first activity I am sharing is by Laura Fantini. Laura works as an Atelierista in early childhood centers in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Laura’s approach is based on supporting children’s curiosity and artistic skills that then allow them to engage in different expressive ‘languages.’ Laura studied visual art at Bologna University and loves to experiment, learn and share. She is constantly inspired by what children do and hopes to inspire them by what she does! You can follow Laura’s on Instagram.
Age Range: 2 years+
Materials:
Tracing or baking paper
Crayons
Different surfaces you find around the house, like keys, Lego blocks and kitchen utensils
Have you ever observed the surfaces you have at home? By doing it, you can find many possible patterns. After researching different surfaces, you can use black or colored wax crayon to run the different surfaces onto the baking paper… you can then collect them or create collages!
Experiment with goop by Fern Kelly
Gloop is a simple and fun sensory play activity that is suitable for kids aged 6 months and up. The goop itself is edible and easy to wash out of clothes so good for babies and toddlers. It is also great for learning about concepts such as what is solid and liquid. This activity was put together by Dr Fern Kelly. Fern shared this messy ‘gloop’ play activity that she did with her toddler during the lockdown.
Age range: 6 months +
Materials:
2 cups of cornflower
1 cup of water
Food coloring
A large mixing bowl
Place the cornflour into a large container along with a few drops of food coloring. Have the water ready for your child to pour into the container. Mix the water into the cornflour and coloring (this may take some time to do). You can also encourage your child to help mix the gloop using a spatula or their hands.
Experiment with fluffy-paint by Annick Collins
This fluffy paint activity was put together by Annick Collins, an artist and mother of two kids, aged 3 and 7. Annick has studied design at London’s Royal College of Art and has worked in the creative industries over the past 15 years. Since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2015, she has been running a creative family blog, which you can follow on Instagram here, that includes community workshops and an art club.
Age range: 3+
Materials:
3-4 TBS Shaving cream
3 TBS School glue
Food coloring (4-5 drops) or a squeeze of acrylic kids paint
Paper or cardboard for painting on
To make fluffy paint, mix shaving foam with school glue then add the coloring. If you want to make an ‘ice-cream’ you could draw or print a cone onto a piece of paper then add the fluffy paint. You can also add glitter to the fluffy paint for a funky effect ( but please try and source biodegradable glitter). The paint will take a day or so to dry. It may also be a big soft once dry. My three year old just enjoyed playing and mixing the different colored fluffy paints together!
