Q-Tip Painting

Surprises in Color!

Dip a Q-tip in food color or tempera paint and see the colors flow. Children (and grownups) can be quite creative painting with a Q-tip.

Benjamin likes to have one in each hand! Sara is fascinated by rolling a Q-tip! (With a different color on each end.) Shaun would like to rubber band a few different colored Q-tips together to make a “rainbow machine” (great for creating plaids and stripes). Several dipped in one color will stamp a bunch of grapes, a berry, or petals for a flower.

You’ll need:

A supply of Q-tips

Some children prefer the short ones with cotton tips on both ends. Others think the long handled ones work best.

Food colors or tempera paint

The three basic colors (yellow, red, blue) are all you need to start with. Let the children discover what new colors they can make when the lines and dots intersect. Dilute with water as needed.

Several medicine cups

Use medicine cups, lids, or other small containers to hold a selection of colors. Place them in a plastic container or on a tray. A Styrofoam egg carton also works well.
HINT: It only takes a very small amount of paint in each container. Plan on refilling containers - you'll have less mess from accidental spills.

Paper

Sturdy paper to paint on. Choose your color shape and size.

Here’s how:

• Wear your painting apron and protect surfaces
• Dip Q-Tip into color. (Teacher can do the dipping if child doesn’t manage.)
• Try different strokes, patterns, lines, and dots. Overlap colors to make new colors. Make repeat patterns or design colorful plaids and stripes. Draw an animal or a smiley face.

Possibilities:

Paint on pre-cut paper shapes, or cut shapes out of a finished painting. Decorate a paper butterfly, an alligator or an Easter egg, Stamp the scales on a fish, or create the petals for a flower.
A decorated strip of paper can become a crown or a multicolored flowery garland.
Q-Tip paint a decorative border for the bulletin board.

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