This art activity uses craft sticks as a simple painting tool. The paint tools are easy to make and kids will love mixing colors and creating colorful designs.

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This art activity with craft sticks provides a creative outlet while engaging fine motor and cognitive skills.

It's easy to set up with recyclables and everyday craft supplies

Adding homemade toys and other resources such as painting tools to your 'toolbox' is not only easy, it's a satisfying and economical way to enhance daily activities. You'll be recycling, innovating, and providing unique opportunities for learning through play.

Related: How to make painting with preschoolers fun and easy

Painting with craft sticks

This is an open ended activity, meaning there is no specific way to proceed, and no finished product to be achieved. The value is in the experience. Kids can participate in making the painting tools, and then experiment with the tools in a painting activity.

Related: Process art explained from Fun-A-Day

Supplies for a painting activity

• Craft sticks or other*

• Wooden drawer pull or cork

• Construction paper

*You can easily use clothespins, a wooden dowel or sticks from frozen treats in place of craft sticks.

Instructions

1. Glue a cork or wooden door pull to the craft stick to make a handle.

• We used white glue for the drawer pull, allowing it to remain in place on the craft stick while the glue dried.
• We used a glue gun for the cork. It held the cork more securely on the craft stick and could be used right away.

2. Pour paint into a foam tray.

3. Coat the craft stick with the paint.

4. Hold the handle between thumb and fingers and rotate the craft stick to spread the paint over the paper.

Kids can twirl, swipe, tap or drag the paint with their new painting tool!

Have fun mixing colors by rotating or dragging differed colored paints together on the paper.

Homemade Painting Tools

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