This Marvelous Marble Painting activity is one that I used back in my teaching days. I have never done it with three year olds but decided my kids might find this art project fun. Would you believe I had the hardest time finding the marbles? I thought for sure the dollar store would have them, but they did not. So if you already have marbles at home, you are ahead of the game! Also check out our Painting with Feathers activity.
Marble Painting
You will need:
- Baking pan
- Paint
- White paper cut to fit inside the pan
- Tape
- Marbles
You will want to tape your paper to the bottom of the pan. I am sure there are many different ways to paint with the marbles, but here is what I did. I squirted different colors of paint onto the paper and dropped in some marbles (I believe I used 4 in each tray). It would be fun at another point to experiment with the number of marbles in a tray and see how it changes the results of the marble painting.
"A" wanted yellow and blue paint on her tray.
Once your marbles are dropped in, have your child rock the tray back and forth to get the marbles to move and paint the paper.
Later, A discovered that she could tilt the tray up and down to get lines going in different directions on her paper.
I love this action shot of B. Who knew this marble painting activity provided such a workout?
A really wanted to work with green paint. I did not have any out, but explained that we could make green by mixing yellow and blue. And just like that we are learning about color mixing. Thanks for the great idea A! I dropped some yellow and blue paint on her paper and gave her some marbles.
She was quite proud of the resulting green!
Our finished marble painting:
My final verdict is that this marvelous marble painting was just perfect for three year olds and might even work with two year olds. But you know your child best. I did not have C participate, because at 20 months, she still puts everything in her mouth and I was concerned that the marbles would be a choking hazard. Please use caution when doing this art activity with a child.
The girls loved discovering a new way to paint and I'm just thankful that I didn't lose my marbles.
Lisa
What an awesome hands-on project! Looks like they had a great time! 🙂
Many blessings,
Lisa
Anonymous
We LOVE to marble paint and babies, toddlers and preschoolers, OH MY! My kiddos get all wild and crazy with this so I actually have saved pizza boxes that way I have a lid so marbles and paint don't go flying!
You blog ROCKS!
http://daycaresillies.blogspot.com/
EmilyM
It looks like your girls had fun with this project too. I love the action shot you got. We are going to have to try multiple marbles next time we do this. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Emily
http://puppydogtails.blogspot.com
Vicky
@ Lisa, Thanks so much, they did!
@ daycaresillies, sounds like a great excuse for me to order a pizza!
@ Emily, thanks for stopping by!
Poppy
Hi Vicky, I remember doing marble painting as a kid... we used to dip plain white T-shirts to get the marble effect on it... used to be a lot of fun... first step in creativity... lol!I bet your three old had oodles of fun with it...what an excellent idea to share with kids as well as inspire them to explore their creative side! I feel so flattered by your endearing comment on my Fall Luminaries. Really enjoyed and appreciated you stopping by.Thank you so much for following me. Will love to have you over anytime. Have a wonderful weekend with your family!Happily following you back~Poppy
http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/
Joyce
It looks like they had a blast! I love that action shot too. I hear other bloggers complaining about a shortage of marbles as well. I think they are only trully abundant around Christmas, I guess for stocking stuffer usage. Videogames killed the marble star. Or something.
Heidi
Can't wait for mine to be this big so I can do this fun stuff with her. Thanks for stoping by my blog. I'm a new follower
Jessica @ TheCrazyChaoticHouse
Looks like they had lots of fun. Thanks for sharing. I will for sure have to try this with my 3 year old;)
Shoregirl
Looks like a lot of fun -- great art lesson too!
Cricket @ Thrifty Texas Penny
Such a fabulous idea! I bet my 3 yr old (almost 4) would love it. Now following from the Tiggerific Tuesday hop (yes I know it's already Saturday LOL)
Sandra Appling
What a great idea! Painting with little mess and lots of fun!!
Daneilia @ Anchors Away
Oh how I remember these days lol. Gosh that just makes me sound old. But this was one of my fave projects when I was young. I may attempt to try this with my 2year old...I think she is capable of having fun w/out eating paint or messing with the marbles lol ("I think", its not a guarantee haha). Love this.
Tiffany
Great idea, I four kids who would love this! Thanks for stopping by my blog. : )
Jessica @ Nuchey's Mommy
Hi Vicky! what a great idea, my son who is 5 would even love this 🙂 Anything to make a mess & have it contained in a dish works for me! Thanks for sharing & thank you for visiting my site & barn doors!
Theophanie
My 2 year old loves you!
learning table
This looks like fun! Next time we head outside, we'll have to try this project. Thanks for visiting my blog, and I'm following you back.
🙂
Lori @ La-La's Home Daycare
Whoo Hoo that was fun! We haven't tried this out yet! I have the marbles finally, just haven't done it! Cute Cute!
Monica
Looks like such fun! I love projects like this.
Jeanette
Such messy fun! Thanks for visiting My Own Four Corners, I am following you back and enjoying your site very much! Cheers!
TJ @ MeasuringFlower.com
Hi! New follower from Measuring Flower. Cute idea! My first son's only 14 months now, so he's too little, but I'll definitely keep this one in mind to do, er, for him to do when he's older. 🙂
Jamie
I LOVE marble paintings! Very good post!!
Thank you so much for joining in the Make Yourself Monday blog hop!
Jamie
For Love of Cupcakes
mmbear
Now that is what I call original! Hi! I am from the blog hop and now a new follower thru GFC, Facebook and RSS Reader. I would love a follow back on all three when you get a free moment. Thanks so much for your help and have a blessed week!
[email protected]://www.mmbearcupoftea.com
Niko
I am just following you back, but WOW! I love this idea. I might have to try it once BL gets a little older. I can't wait to do fun projects like this.
--Niko
http://wishfulstargazer.blogspot.com
Cupcakes and Cutlery
So fun!!! I wonder if my dad would let us take some of the marbles he hasn't used in 50 years to do art??? 🙂 My kids would LOVE this!
Kierna C
Hey Vicky, this is one of my favourite art activities - but I love the idea of the foil tray, as we use a plastic tray & then have to wash it out - thanks for saving me some time!
Vicky
@ Poppy, thanks for the thoughtful comment. Hope you are having a joy filled Thursday!
@ Joyce, who knew about the marble shortage?
@ Heidi, it will happen before you know it.
@ Jessica, I think the 3 year old will love it.
@ Shoregirl, thanks so much!
@ Cricket, hope you guys have fun with it.
@ Sandra, thank you for stopping in.
@ Jeanette, so happy to have you following
@ TJ, this is great for when he gets older.
@
@ Daneilia, brings back memories huh? I feel old too. 🙂
@ Tiffany, hope your kiddies love it.
@ Learning table, thanks for following back
@ Lori, you must try it! Super fun.
@ Theophanie, I love your 2 year old! 🙂
@ Monica, they are so fun aren't they?
@ Jamie, thanks so much for the kind words.
@ mmbear, will do!
@ Niko, thanks so much!
@ Cupcakes, I have a dad like that too! 🙂
@ Kierna, thanks for the comment.
Katie
Such a cool idea! I had forgotten all about marble painting. Thanks for visiting- I'm following back 🙂
Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
I LOVE marble painting! It is just so much fun & how great that you added in come color mixing too!
Thanks for lining to the Sunday Showcase & sure hope to see you this week!
Bern
http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/search/label/Sunday%20Showcase
Anonymous
Super cute! My kids would LOVE that! I would love for you to link up at http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/search/label/Linkey%20Parties
Amanda
Great pictures! We love marble painting too =) I linked back to this post on my most recent acorn marble painting post! http://theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/2011/10/acorn-marble-painting-acorn-counting.html
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Thank you for sharing such a great information.
Alyssa
What a fun activity. I am featuring this in an art party roundup if you don't mind.
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