Straw Blowing Paint Art Activity
Drop watery paint onto paper and blow through a straw to push it into wild, branching patterns — an exciting art technique for kids.
What You'll Need
- 1Washable paint (2-3 colors)
- 2Water for thinning
- 3Drinking straws
- 4Paper
- 5Tray
- 6Tape
- 7Spoon for dropping paint
What You'll Need
Washable paint in 2-3 colors
Water for thinning the paint
Drinking straws
Paper (watercolor paper holds up best but any paper works)
A tray to contain the mess
Tape
A spoon for dropping paint
How to Play
Thin washable paint with water until it flows easily — about a 50-50 mix of paint and water. It should run when you tilt the cup.
Tape paper to a tray. The tray catches paint that escapes the paper edges.
Use a spoon to drop a small puddle of watery paint onto the center of the paper.
Show your child how to hold a straw about an inch above the paint blob and blow gently through it.
Watch the paint shoot outward in thin, branching lines. The harder you blow, the farther and thinner the lines travel.
Add more paint drops in different colors and blow from different angles. Where colors meet, they blend into new shades.
Let the artwork dry flat. The organic, branching patterns look remarkably like trees, coral, or lightning bolts.
Tips
Make sure the paint is thin enough. If it does not move when blown, add more water. Too thick and nothing happens.
Blow through the straw, not suck. Remind younger children by demonstrating a few times. Hold the straw slightly above the paint, never in it.
This is a study in cause and effect. Different blow strengths, angles, and distances create completely different patterns.
To make it look like a tree, blow from directly below a dark paint blob upward. The branching lines look exactly like bare winter branches.
Work fast — thin paint dries quickly on paper. Have your paint drops ready to go before you start blowing.
Age Adaptation Tips
Preschoolers can follow multi-step instructions. Ask open-ended questions and encourage them to predict what will happen next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 15 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: washable paint (2-3 colors), water for thinning, drinking straws, paper, tray, and 2 more items.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 3-5 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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