Sometimes an art-making method is as creative as the finished product. This fun Maker Monday activity — Shoe Box Marble Painting — gives kids a new way to make art. Marbles work their magic as they roll through paint, creating unexpected designs. The finished effect resembles tie-dyed fabric.
Kids can experiment with different shapes and color combinations to create more personalized paintings. Or they can begin with colored paper instead of white for a different background. Simple Paper Bag
This project comes to Kidsburgh from Lauren Kimicata, a preschool teacher at Carriage House Children’s Center in Squirrel Hill.
A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on this Maker Monday project and always be very careful when using tools of any kind.
Step 1: Cut out a flower — or any other shape — from a sheet of paper.
Step 2: Place the cut piece of paper in the shoe box. Spoon a few blobs of different colored paint on top of the paper. (You don’t need much.)
Step 3: Place two or three marbles on top of the paper. Close the shoebox lid and move it to roll the marbles around. Once the marbles have rolled around for a few moments, take a peek inside. Do you love your design or want to keep working on it? You can keep adding paint and rolling the marbles around as desired.
Step 4: Remove the paper and hang it up to dry.
Optional step 5: Once the paper is dry, cut out a photo of your child and glue it to the center of the painting.
Want more at-home fun creating cool stuff and making beautiful things? Check out more Maker Monday projects right here.
Mini Paper Bags Do you have an idea for a Maker Monday craft project? If so, please share it with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activities to info@kidsburgh.org.