This post features the shapes sponge art hands-on spring art idea for children with a few simple materials to create a beautiful spring display in your classroom.
This post features a spring shapes sponge art lesson that can be taught and completed by children with the help of an adult. The technique of using sponges and layering bright paint colors creates beautiful results worth framing.
Shapes Sponge Art
We wanted to create some kid-created art to hang up for spring. We choose some cute clip art pictures with bold outlines to trace. I used shapes from the clip artist Kate Hadfield. She has a great selection of seasonal sets and a creative look to her images.
Instructions for this Spring Art Idea
- Enlarge the images in a PowerPoint document and printed them off the computer on white paper. You could recreate this art activity with any images for any season or theme you wish.
- Cut the shapes out along the outlines.
- Cut pieces of heavier paper large enough to fit each shape inside.
- Then, use a Sharpie marker and carefully trace the outline of each shape.
- Make sure the black outline is thick enough to follow during cutting.
- Each shape is cut out carefully with only one cut-in to the shape.
- After cutting out the shapes, the inner and outer pieces remain. You can save the inner pieces and use those for a future art activity. You will need the outer pieces for this activity.
- Cut white pieces of quality art paper approximately the same size as the blue paper. I suggest using a paper clip or bag clip to keep the two together while painting. This way, there is no slipping, and the shape stays exact.
Painting the Spring Shapes with Sponges
- We bought a pack of sponges at the dollar store and cut them into smaller pieces using scissors.
- Pour acrylic paint onto an art palette to keep colors separated. You could use tempera paint if you wish. Use bright colors for spring.
- Have a different sponge ready for each color of paint.
- To paint, dab the sponge in one color at a time and lightly drag off the extra paint on the edge of the palette.
- Use the sponge all of the inner cut-out, making sure to get all along the edges.
- Use different colors for each shape.
- You can layer the colors on top of each other. Sometimes we overlap the colors but used different colors for different parts of the shapes.
- Sponge paint each shape one at a time.
- Cover the entire shape and carefully remove the blue paper. Finally, look at the beautiful results.
- The spring shapes sponge art turns out unique and bright. Great for any display in the classroom or home.
NOTE: Let children get creative and add their details. My son added rain for the umbrella and leaves for the ladybug.
Spring Art Resources
Want to try more directed drawings this spring? Try the May Directed Drawing Mats!
More Spring Art Ideas
Spring Crafts for Kids
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