If you're the parent of an artistic child, chances are, you have a lot of paint lying around the house. Painting is a great way for kids to get a sense of colors and patterns and also is just plain fun. But if finger-painting and simple pictures are starting to get a little dry, and you're looking for a new way to approach this classic medium, here's a unique painting style for any preschooler to try: make easy pendulum paintings. All you need is a funnel and rope, some paint, and a blank canvas, and you can really get into the 'swing' of things!
Note: This project takes some coordination and timing but is great fun and creates very interesting designs.
What You Need:
- Newspaper
- Small plastic funnel
- Strong string
- Tape
- Large sheet of paper
- Powdered tempera paint
- Liquid starch
- Scissors
- Small pitcher
What You Do:
- This could get messy, so lay newspapers down over your work surface.
- Tie a string around the large edge of a plastic funnel. Tie or tape three strings about fifteen inches in length spaced equally around the edge of the funnel. Tie the three ends together above the funnel so that the funnel is supported by the string.
- Mix some liquid starch and powdered tempera paint in a pitcher so that it flows smoothly, but is not too thin.
- Hold the pendulum funnel and string over the paper.
- Place a finger over the spout of the funnel with the other hand.
- Help your child pour paint into the funnel.
- When the funnel is full, remove the finger and give the funnel a swing.
- Keep the pendulum funnel moving until all the paint has run out of the funnel.
- Add a new color to the funnel and keep painting, if desired.
If you like, try balancing a dowel from one chair to another and hang the pendulum funnel from the dowel. Proceed as above by adding paint and removing the finger from the spout to release the paint. Or instead of paint, consider filling the funnel with colored sand, plain sand or salt, and dry tempera paint mixed together. Proceed as above for a different look!
By MaryAnn F. Kohl
Adapted with permission from "Preschool Art: It's the Process, Not the Product." Copyright 1994 by MaryAnn F. Kohl. Used by Permission of Gryphon House, Inc., Maryland. All Rights Reserved.
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