Have you tried yarn paintings yet? The combination of yarn, glue, and paint makes it an especially fun and tactile art activity for kids. Plus the three-dimensional aspect makes it stand apart from most kids’ painting projects.
I first wrote about yarn paintings a few years ago (this is mostly a repost) and they are well worth doing. The idea is from MaryAnn Kohl’s book, Art with Anything: 52 Weeks of Fun Using Everyday Stuff.
Here’s a video showing Yarn Art Painting in action! And don’t forget to scroll down to get the step-by-step instructions.
Yarn Paintings with Kids
MATERIALS
- Mat board (tagboard
, card stock, poster board, or cardboard would work as well) - Yarn
- Scissors
- White glue
- Tempera paint
HOW WE DID IT
First we cut our yarn into shorter pieces. Then we dipped the yarn pieces into a bowl of glue and arranged them on a piece of mat board.
We left them to dry overnight.
The glue-soaked yarn dried hard to create a really neat textural base for our painting. It was fun to paint over and between the yarn lines with our paint.
Maia tried painting with two paint brushes at once to mix the colors.
And then she moved on to painting with her hands over and between the yarn lines. (And then taking her paint-covered hands over to the easel to make hand prints.)
We both loved this yarn project! I highly recommend it!
More yarn art ideas for kids
- Yarn Painting and Printing with Liquid Watercolors
- String Blots with the Toddler Art Group
- Action Painting Wrapping Paper with Yarn
- Yarn and Ribbon Suncatchers
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9 Comments
Victoria
February 25, 2013 at 8:24 amThanks for the idea! I’ve got to try this with my daughter :)
Karrie Zylstra
February 25, 2013 at 8:54 amI like the doo dads for your paint and brushes, Jean. What are those called so I can find them?
Amy Osborn
February 25, 2013 at 12:42 pmWhat a great idea! But, I too am interested in the paint holders that keep the paint separated. I have never seen those before-Please let me know where I can order them! Thank You.
Julie
February 25, 2013 at 10:02 pmThis looks like so much fun! I love the texture. Might need to try with my daughter and her friend tomorrow. We could do the yarn part this week, then paint next week once they are dry! Love it!
Jean Van't Hul
February 25, 2013 at 5:38 pmOh, yes! Those divided paint cups are awesome!! I bought them from Discount School Supply. Here’s the link: http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=7528&keyword=divided%20paint%20cups&scategoryid=0&CategorySearch=&Brand=&Price=
Jean Van't Hul
February 25, 2013 at 5:38 pmDiscount School Supply Double Dip paint cups! See the link above… They are great for when the kiddos want more colors.
Jean Van't Hul
February 25, 2013 at 5:38 pmEnjoy!!
Deborah
February 26, 2013 at 10:06 pmThis rocks!!
Karrie Zylstra
February 27, 2013 at 9:31 amThanks, Jean, for the name and the link:)