Plan based on an activity submitted by Cherie D. Sweigart from Sonshine Child Development Center, Lititz, PA

Your little ones will be using important SCIENCE skills as they observe the way the paints swirl and mix in this fun art activity.

Materials:

• White construction or drawing paper (let children cut into different interesting shapes)
• Plastic cling-type wrap cut a bit larger than the pieces of paper
• Plastic eye droppers
• Tempera paint in three colors: white, dark blue, and light blue
• Iridescent glitter glue (optional-use only with threes)
• Foohy® Washable or Gel Markers

Skills:

• Observation and experimentation
• Color mixing
• Creative thinking and expression
• Fine-motor coordination

How To:

1. Cover work area with newspaper and help children put on smocks.
2. Show children how to use eyedroppers and invite them to pick up one color paint at a time and drip it onto the paper. Repeat with next two colors. Children can also drip glitter glue over the paint drips.
3. Have children place the plastic wrap on top of their paper and SMOOSH, using the paints underneath to blend and swirl.
4. Talk about the colors that are being created. You might ask, "What happened to your paints? How did they change?"
5. When the child is pleased with the blended colors, encourage him to remove the plastic wrap and examine his masterpiece.

Extend the Activity:

• After the pictures are dry, provide Foohy® Washable or Gel Markers for children to add details and designs to their pictures.
• The blues and whites of the paints make wonderful star, snowflake, or cloud pictures. Try other colors and paper shapes to make feathers, leaves, trees, eggs, anything