Ribbon Wand Painting for Baby

Wide fabric ribbons cut to about 8-10 inches (2-3 pieces)

A wooden spoon or chunky dowel for the handle

Plain yogurt

Food coloring in 2-3 colors

Large sheet of paper (butcher paper or kraft paper works great)

Tape to secure the paper

Drop cloth or old towel for under the workspace

Tie two or three short ribbon pieces to the end of a wooden spoon. Use wide, textured ribbon — it holds more paint and creates interesting trails.

Mix plain yogurt with food coloring in shallow dishes. Use bold colors so the trails show up on the paper.

Tape a large piece of paper to the high chair tray or lay it on the floor on top of a drop cloth. Floor time works especially well for younger babies who can do tummy time painting.

Dip the ribbon ends into the paint and drag them across the paper so baby can see the streaks appear. Make it dramatic.

Hand the wand to baby, helping them wrap their fingers around the thick handle. Wooden spoons are perfect because they are chunky and easy to grip.

Let baby wave and swoosh the wand however they want. Every movement creates art — wide arm sweeps make big swooping lines.

When the paint fades, dip the ribbons into a new color. The color mixing where trails overlap is part of the magic.

Narrate the whole experience. Name the movements, the colors, and the patterns baby creates.

Use satin or grosgrain ribbon — they drag through paint smoothly and create the best trails.

For younger babies (under 6 months), do this during tummy time. Tape the paper to the floor and let them bat at the ribbon wand while you hold it nearby.

This is a wonderful reach-and-grasp activity. Baby has to grip the handle and coordinate arm movement to make marks.

Wash ribbons after use — they are reusable for future painting sessions.

Hang the finished art to dry. The swooping trail patterns are genuinely beautiful and make great wall art.