Tape Resist Paintings for Kids

We’ve done various versions of tape resist paintings over the years, starting with the toddler art group when Maia was little.

Tape resist paintings are a great standby art project for kinds to approach in different ways with different materials over time.

We’ve used masking tape, painters’ tape, contact paper shapes and initials, washi tape, and stationery store stickers.

We’ve used tempera paint, watercolors, activity paint, BioColors, and acrylic paint.

And we’ve made abstract art, buildings and cityscapes, words/banners, trees, and human skeletons.

Here are the basic instructions, photos from our most recent tape resist painting exploration, and some fun ideas for variations.

Tape Resist Paintings for Kids

MATERIALS

• Canvas (or sturdy paper such as cardstock or watercolor paper)
• Masking tape (or other tape, such as painters’ tape, washi tape, stickers, or contact paper cut into strips or shapes)
• Paint (tempera paint, BioColors, activity paint, etc)
• Sharpies or other permanent markers (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Tear or cut off strips of tape and press to the canvas or paper in the pattern or image desired.

Note :: For a toddler, you can cut or tear the pieces of tape for them and either adhere them lightly along the edge of the table or around the perimeter of a can for them to use.

Press the edges of the tape design down securely (to prevent paint from seeping under the edges as much as possible).

Paint over the entire canvas, including the tape design, as desired. We used activity paint this time, as well as some BioColors. Basically, just what we had on hand in the colors the kids wanted to use.

We’ve done this in the past with tempera paint, too, and even with liquid watercolors (on paper).

You can lift the tape right away or let the paint dry first.

We’ve done both.

By the way, these are the art mats pictured. (I always get asked… You can find out more about them in my post about the best kids art tools.)

If desired, add detail to your artwork with Sharpies or other permanent markers.

Daphne added a variety of patterns to each place the tape had been.

I traced my tape resist areas and added a few striped circles to my painting.

And Maia turned her tape resist trees into birches with strategic dashes and lines.

There’s so much potential with tape resist art! So many ways you can do this. I hope you and your kids give tape resist painting a try sometime and experiment with the general technique.

Tape Resist Painting Variations

• Use contact paper shapes and initials
• Work large! (this is a full-sized tape resist skeleton)
• Spell names and words
• Try tape resist painting on fabric
• Use stationery store stickers and washi tape

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