Have you tried muffin tin printing with kids?
I came across this simple printmaking project in one of MaryAnn Kohl’s books and we’ve had so much fun with it!
Plus it’s super easy.
Muffin Tin Printing with Kids
MATERIALS
Note :: You can find the mini paint rollers in the painting section of the hardware store (they’re used for painting trim and corners).
INSTRUCTIONS
Turn the muffin tin upside down and paint the bottoms of the cups.
You can use a brush as Maia did (for interesting brush marks that transfer to the final print) or use a mini paint roller (for a more even application of the paint).
Center a piece of paper over the painted muffin tin…
And press the paper down with your hands. Maybe even rub around a bit.
Lift the paper to reveal your new print!
Make another. And another.
Experiment with different colors, combinations of colors (color mixing?), and brushstrokes or designs (draw with a finger or q-tip in the paint before making your print).
How about you? What printing techniques have you tried with your kids?
More Ideas for Printing with Kids
- Monoprinting with Kids
- Flower printing with watercolors
- Printing with foam stickers
- Styrofoam printing with kids
- Bubble wrap printing and painting
Pin It for Later ::
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32 Comments
Teresa
March 1, 2011 at 7:17 amHello, I was wondering what age you started doing crafts with your kids? My little girl is 15 months old and I can’t wait to do crafts with her, but I know that she is going to put everything into her mouth at this point. Thanks
Kim
March 1, 2011 at 7:27 amTeresa-
You can absolutely start doing art with your little one. When my boys were little we started finger painting with baby food that way if they did put it in their mouth it didn’t matter.You can also paint with pudding (make different colors with vanilla plus food coloring). She is also old enough to start using large chunky crayons with–she will put them in her mouth at first, but if you sit and color too she’ll start to mimic you. She’s a great age to start doing things with! Good luck!
Dawn Lange
March 1, 2011 at 7:41 amThis seems like it could be a fun way to print t-shirts… or do you think it would smear too much?
AJ
March 1, 2011 at 10:38 amI could see this working for t-shirts. But I would use the tin more like a stamp in this case, as clothing is more likely to conform to shape than paper.
jen at paintcutpaste.com
March 1, 2011 at 11:28 amhi jean! we did this last summer and LOVED it! i didn’t realize it was in one of maryann’s books… very cool. we found the pie pan idea on another blog last summer, and then just stumbled upon our muffin tin in the cabinet once we got into it, and did the same. the muffin tin prints make great wrapping paper when done on large sheets. here’s our version: https://paintcutpaste.com/pie-pan-printmaking/
jen at paintcutpaste.com
March 1, 2011 at 12:52 pmloving those star bowls, too! :)
Kerstin
March 1, 2011 at 2:15 pmWe do this with egg cartons too and that’s fun.
MaryLea @ pink and green mama
March 1, 2011 at 2:24 pmLove!! : )
Courtney
March 1, 2011 at 4:02 pmCute idea! You could also add some interest by attaching those foam shape stickers to the bottom of each tin before stamping. :)
Melissa @ the chocolate muffin tree
March 1, 2011 at 4:11 pmI love this! WHich book is this in? I have some of her books and love them all!
Teresa
March 1, 2011 at 4:45 pmthanks Kim, one more question. Do you let them paint with pudding on paper or on their tray?
Megan
March 1, 2011 at 5:53 pmIf you use food as paint it’s a good idea to do it after a meal when the little one’s not hungry (I read this in the book Young at Art by Susan Striker). So eating it won’t be the main attraction!
lubee
March 1, 2011 at 6:06 pmI’m going to use this idea as a starting point for my students to paint their “Kandinsky” art. Last year I found the idea on deepspacesparkle.com and the kids did a great job tracing and cutting. This year I wanted to use paint. Thanks for the post.
Julie
March 1, 2011 at 8:23 pmPerfect idea. I have an old tin we make crayons in that would be just right for this. On the list for tomorrow.
Scott
March 1, 2011 at 9:13 pmI’ve always said you can make prints with paint and just about anything. :)
Jamie @ hands on : as we grow
March 1, 2011 at 10:33 pmSo cute! I like this idea – I’m brainstorming up other ways to ‘print’! :P
Homemade
March 1, 2011 at 5:42 pmI love your blog, I found it awhile ago and then I lost it. Today I found it again. I am just 7 months pregnant right now, but I am always looking into how I want to do things and such and I love the projects that you show on here. I had seen one before, do you host art classes in your house for other kids? How does that work, that could be something I would love to do in my area.
Sandykins68
March 2, 2011 at 3:11 amI let my little ones use chocolate pudding to finger paint with when they were less than a year old…I gave them paper, but a lot ended up on their tray as well! I also took pictures while they “painted” and I ended up using their creation as scrap booking paper! I added a cute photo of them doing creating their artwork, plus some cute little artist stickers…turned out so cute!!
Zoe
March 2, 2011 at 3:49 amVery damian hirst! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hirst-LSD.jpg) Love it :-)
Regina @ Chalk In My Pocket
March 2, 2011 at 10:08 amReminds me of Kadinsky! Always a favorite at the art museums with kids – I’ll bet I’ve got lots of smaller items to paint to make concentric circles…waiting for the paint to dry will be a good exercise in patience for my daughter and I both!
LEX
March 2, 2011 at 10:21 amWow! Those prints are so easy and stylish! I bet they would make great wrapping paper and cards for gifts. Ikea makes molded soft plastic ice cube trays that are in heart shapes–those would make a lovely print for Valentines Day!
[email protected]
March 2, 2011 at 2:57 pmFun! I have a 4 1/2 year old and a 2-year old–which of Mary Ann Kohl’s books would you recommend most?
Becky
March 2, 2011 at 9:15 pmVery cool. Do you have any ideas for a homemade drying rack that the artwork could lie flat to dry?
Heather
March 2, 2011 at 10:13 pmOkay, where did you get those sweet star shaped paint bowls? I love them!
Pumpkinbear
March 3, 2011 at 1:18 pmThat’s a great project! I look forward to doing this one with all of those gigantic swaths of paper that we seem to have, or maybe even with our old newspapers.
Lola
March 4, 2011 at 5:14 amWhat a great and simple idea! I love it, we’re going to try it! Thank you!
me.yahoo.com/a/yrICHHVooZmWyq2mltJmGbMTwo5V7FtC7tTuxA--
March 4, 2011 at 12:38 pmThis project would look cool on butcher paper or even a neat way to recycle brown paper grocery bags.
(BTW, count me as another one who wants to know about those awesome blue star-shaped bowls!)
Melissa @ the chocolate muffin tree
March 4, 2011 at 10:30 pmThanks to the inspiration of you and TinkerLab we experimented with printing Muffin tins, Legos, egg cartons, and other stuff!
Check out my post:
Printing With Muffin Tins and Legos
We had so much fun!!!! Thanks to Mary Ann Kohl too!
Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Tree
March 5, 2011 at 2:18 pmHere is the address:https://thechocolatemuffintree.blogspot.com/2011/03/printing-with-muffin-tins-legos-and.html
Jean Van't Hul
March 10, 2011 at 9:42 amI bought the bowls at a thrift store, but they are originally from Target — from an Easter line. They’re great!
Jean Van't Hul
March 10, 2011 at 9:42 amI’ve used stacking shelf dividers. We also just lay artwork flat on the floor, tables, shelves, the washing machine, etc…
Jean Van't Hul
March 10, 2011 at 9:44 amOh, awesome!