If the weather is nice and the kids need to spend time outdoors, have them try the abstract art method of splatter painting. We did it in some of my art classes with children as young as 5 and as old as 13, and they all had a lot of fun.

Using acrylic paints and a couple of brushes, the students got started. They carefully chose their colors as they worked to achieve certain effects. The results were as unique as the kids that painted them!

Supplies Needed:

• Old Paint Shirts
• Postoard (any color will do)
• Acrylic paints (craft acrylics are an inexpensive choice)
• Styrofoam plates
• Paint brushes
• Container with water
• Hammer and nails or pushpins, thumbtacks, etc.

What We Did:

1. First, each student put on a paint shirt if they weren’t wearing old clothes. Painting can get messy!

2. Next,  I provided each student with a half-sheet of posterboard. The posterboard was to be their canvas. We headed outside and nailed the posterboard to a tree with just one nail in the center at the top. (You could try using a thumbtack or pushpin if you prefer.)

3. Next, the students chose the colors they wanted for their paintings. We used craft acrylic paints. They squeezed the paint onto styrofoam plates, their palettes.

4. I provided them with a large container of old paintbrushes from which to choose. The brushes were all different sizes, including larger house-painting brushes. A container of water was nearby for them to wash out their brushes when changing colors.

5. The paint went flying (literally!). Each boy stood in front of his paper and spattered the paint by using quick flips of the wrist.

It was interesting to see how deliberate the boys were in choosing their colors and deciding where the paint would go. The paintings were all original, and a lot of fun to create!