Blow painting with straws is a simple but fun action art activity. Use a straw to blow liquid paint on paper, creating amazing designs!
Updated July 2023
Blow painting with straws is one of those simple art activities that you can do over and over again and enjoy it every time and get a different result every time.
Here’s a video showing blow painting with straws in action and keep scrolling for step-by-step instructions.
It’s one of our Best Art Ideas for Kids and when you’ve tried it, you’ll understand why!
It’s kind of funny to watch, super satisfying to do, and the results are always interesting.
Blow Painting with Straws
MATERIALS
- Tag board, card stock, or other heavy paper
- Liquid watercolor paint*
- Dropper or pipette
- Drinking straws
*If you don’t have liquid watercolor paint, you can use watered-down food coloring or watered-down tempera paint.
Time needed: 20 minutes
INSTRUCTIONS
- Set up for the activity
Place a sheet of paper on a tray with sides (a baking dish would work) or do this activity outside.
Cut your straws in half, so your blowing action is more effective and closer to the paint. If you’re doing this with young children, poke a hole halfway up the straw with a pin. This will prevent them from sucking paint into the straw by accident.
Put your liquid watercolor paints in small dishes or paint cups.
- Add paint drops to paper
Use a dropper or paintbrush to transfer one or more droplets of liquid watercolor paint to the paper.
- Blow at paint through straw
Blow through the straw at the paint drops, forcing the paint to move along the paper in tiny rivulets.
- Repeat with more paint
Repeat steps 1 and 2 with more paint and more colors until you are satisfied with your design. Set aside to dry and start over with a new sheet of paper!
It is so fun to watch the colors run together and mix. After the paint dries, you can display your artwork or use it to make cards, wrapping paper, collage papers for other art, or more.
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