How to String Paint

Children love art projects. Anything you find that can be manipulated can be turned in to art. Some of the most easily manipulated and available items are string and paint. Follow these steps to learn how to string paint and you will have a fun activity for you and the children.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Apron or old shirt
• Construction paper
• 2-foot pieces of string
• Colored tempera paint
• Paper plates

1. Cover a table with an old table cloth or newspaper. You can also do this outside on the grass or sidewalk. Cover the children in aprons or old shirts.

2. Fold a piece of paper in half to crease it then unfold it. Place it down on the table or ground. Allow the older children to fold the paper themselves.

3. Pour the tempera paint on paper plates. Place one color on each plate and spread the plates out on the table or work area.

4. Submerge approximately three-quarters of the string into the paint on the paper plate. Make sure the child holds firmly to the clean end of the string.

5. Assist the child in laying the painted end of the string on one half of the paper. They can make the string into any pattern or design they want. Fold the paper in half making sure the clean end of the string is hanging over the edge of the paper.

6. Pull the string out of the paper slowly. Open it up and see the pattern the string created, then hang the paper up to dry.

7. Use multiple strings on one piece of paper to make a multi-colored design. Multiple string paint designs are best for older children.