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. Be sure to check out Painting with Golf Balls as well. 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.
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
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
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
Katie
Such a cool idea! I had forgotten all about marble painting. Thanks for visiting- I'm following back 🙂
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.
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!
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!
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
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!
Mary@http://www.mmbearcupoftea.com
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