Blow painting with straws is a creative art activity for children aged 3+. Explore colours, patterns, and EYLF outcomes through playful sensory learning.
Materials Needed:
- Liquid watercolour paint
- Paintbrush
- Straws
- Thick White Paper
What to do:
- Pour your liquid water colours into an art palette or paint cups.
- Use a paintbrush to add a small puddle of paint onto the paper.
- Place the straw about an inch away from the puddle. Use the straw to blow the paint blobs around in all directions.
- Try blowing down directly onto the puddle, blowing from the left and blowing from the right. See how many different shapes you can make with the watercolours.
- Repeat this step with each of the colours.
- Let the paint dry completely.
Hints and Tips:
- A number of different artworks can be made using this technique. Such as monsters by drawing eyes, arms and legs on the splatter once it dries. Draw a person, and the splatter can be the hair as well.
Extension Ideas
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Colour mixing: Provide primary colours and let children experiment with blending as they blow.
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Fine motor challenge: Use droppers or pipettes to place paint drops before blowing, strengthening hand control.
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Texture exploration: Add salt or glitter to wet paint to create new effects.
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Pattern creation: Encourage children to form branching “tree” or “firework” designs.
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Science link: Discuss air pressure and how blowing moves paint in different directions.
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Cause and effect: Compare strong vs gentle blowing to see how paint spreads differently.
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Descriptive language: Introduce words like “splatter,” “branching,” “spread,” “drip.”
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Storytelling: Children narrate what their painting looks like (trees, fireworks, monsters).
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Shared reflection: Display paintings and invite children to explain their process.
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Group mural: Work together on a large sheet, combining individual blow paintings.
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Confidence building: Celebrate unique designs in a “gallery walk.”
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Cultural connections: Link designs to festivals (fireworks for Diwali, branching trees for spring).
