Create Your Own Spatter Painting Device

Spatter painting is a lot of fun for adults and children alike, but it requires a special machine. So what are your alternatives? Using marbles, tin foil, and some paint, you and your preschooler can create a homemade spatter paint "machine" that's just as fun as the real thing!

What You Need:

• A rimmed baking sheet
• Tin foil
• Old t-shirt or apron
• White paper
• Marbles
• Tempera paint
• Small disposable containers (old yogurt cups, plastic cups, etc)
• Plastic spoons

What to Do:

1. Put the old t-shirt or apron on your child to use as a smock to protect her clothes from paint.
2. Help your child line the baking sheet in tin foil. Let her check for rips and tears so paint won't leak through!
3. Place a couple pieces of paper on the baking sheet, on top of the foil.
4. Let your child choose her favorite colors of paint, and help her pour a little bit into a few separate cups.
5. Now here comes the fun part! Have your child plop a marble into each cup of paint, and have her stir with a spoon to make sure each marble is completely covered in paint.
6. Use the spoon to fish out the marbles one at a time. Flip the spoon over and drop them onto the paper.
7. Tilt the tray back and fourth and side to side so the marble slides over the paper, creating a paint trail that makes funky design. Experiment with different colors, let them dry, and then hang them up for all to see!