How to Make Cardboard Painting Tools for Kids Art Activities

Cardboard painting tools are a great addition to your toolkit. They're easy to make with some recycled cardboard. Provide opportunities to explore and create with painting tools you make with the kids.

kids art activity with cardboard tools

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A homemade painting tool is easy to make with recycled cardboard.

Cardboard is a readily available material to use for crafting - from cereal boxes, pizza boxes and other packaging.

For paint tools, use sturdy cardboard that will hold up when the cardboard gets saturated with paint.

It only takes two simple steps to create this awesome alternative to a paint brush.

This simple DIY will provide lots of opportunity for process art

Get ready for some awesome painting experiences with your preschoolers. 

 

Cardboard painting tools

A similar set of plastic paint scrapers is available to purchase online. You might also find them in craft stores or toy stores.

Set up the activity with a few different paint colors as an invitation for kids to create.

 

Related: Painting with recyclable containers

 

Instructions for cardboard painting tools

 

preschool art with homemade paint tools

  

1. Cut out a piece of cardboard in a square or rectangle shape.

2. Cut notches in one side of the cardboard.

  • Vary the notches to create different results.

 

kids can make their own paint tools

 


3. Drop a dab of washable kids paint onto construction paper or card stock.

4. Glide the painting tool through the paint to create a design.

Minimal instruction is required to provide oodles of creative fun!

 

Related: Painting with wood blocks


Learning through play

1. Create a wall mural

  • Make "grass" as shown in the photo above.
  • Make wavy, fluffy clouds in the "sky".
  • When the paint is dry, draw and cut out trees, flowers or animals to glue into the picture.

2. Place a long sheet of paper on a table.

  • Put dabs of different paint colors at intervals along the length of the paper.
  • Place a paint spreader one one end of the paper.
  • Walk along the full length of the paper without lifting the spreader from the paper.
        

Awesome ideas for painting tools from other bloggers:

 how to paint with cardboard tools instead of paint brushes

 

Find more painting activities on our Pinterest board.

 


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