Sponge Stamping Shapes Art Activity

Kitchen sponges (2-3)

Washable paint in 3-4 colors

Paper plates for spreading paint

Large paper (butcher paper works great)

Tape

Smock or old t-shirt

Cut kitchen sponges into simple shapes — circles, squares, triangles, and stars. An adult should do all cutting.

Pour washable paint in thin layers onto paper plates, one color per plate. The thin layer acts like an ink pad.

Tape a large sheet of paper to the table or floor. Bigger paper means more room for stamping.

Show your toddler how to press a sponge shape into the paint and stamp it firmly onto the paper. Press down, lift up.

Hand them a sponge and let them choose which colors to use. Stamp freely — there is no wrong way.

Encourage filling the whole page. "Can you put a star up here? What about a circle down there?"

Name the shapes and colors as your toddler works. "That is a blue triangle! You made a red circle!" This builds vocabulary naturally.

Let the artwork dry flat before hanging it up.

Cut the sponge shapes larger than you think. Toddler hands grip better around bigger pieces.

Use clothespins clipped to the top of the sponge as handles if your toddler struggles to hold them.

Limit to 2-3 colors at first. Too many plates of paint can be overwhelming and messy.

This activity teaches early shape recognition through touch. Your toddler feels the shape in their hand and sees it appear on paper.

Save a few stamped prints for wrapping paper — they make charming gift wrap for grandparents.