How to Make a Feet Painting with Kids

There are lots of ways to get kids interested in painting and art.

Making a feet painting is a fun, outdoor art project for parents and kids in summer or spring. It brings kids and parents closer, and since it is an educational art project for kids interested in painting or the arts, it might spark some more creative interests. Sometimes it's just as fun for the parents, too. In the least, you'll have a feet painting to hang in your kids' rooms when you are done. As long as you aren't afraid to be a little messy your kids will enjoy learning about painting and art.

Things You'll Need

• Paint containers
• Paint
• Brushes
• Craft paper or butcher paper
• Baby wipes

Instructions

1. Take your art and painting supplies outside because paint will spill and it is nearly impossible to get it out of carpet. This project will make a mess, but painting with kids always does.

2. Set up containers for your paint and fill each one with a different color. Use however many you want to use, the more colors, the more interesting your art work is going to be.

3. Spread out a sheet of craft paper or butcher paper on the lawn and hold it down with rocks if necessary, particularly if it is windy.

4. Remove the kids shoes and roll up their pants, or have each child involved wear an old pair of shorts. Be sure to use clothes you don't mind getting dirty and full of paint when you do this feet painting art activity.

5. Have the kids place one foot into the paint and then on the paper sheet to make an imprint of a painted foot, one at a time. If there are several parents or adults involved, each one can help one child do this. If there is only one, make a line and have each child do this in turns. Make these feet imprints anywhere on the paper and do them with different colors to make different art patterns. Clean the kid's feet in between each color or mix colors in unused containers and see what new color is formed.

6. Paint something fun around or on the feet with the paint brushes like a heart or smiley face yourself as an example for the kids to follow. This adds detail and gives the feet painting some life. Then invite the kids to add their own smiley faces or hearts as well. This is something both kids and parents, or just parents and just kids can do.

Tips & Warnings

• See which part of this activity the child likes best and encourage her to do more of the same. This builds interest in art with your child.

References

• "Parents Connect"; Feet Painting

Resources

• "S 3 DK"; Fun Painting Games