Fall Trees Marbled Paint Resist Art Activity for Kids!

The colors of fall are here. The changing leaves on trees offer many opportunities for children to explore colors and color mixing in art. Why not make the creative process a sensory activity as well? Fall colors are the catalyst for these unique fall marbled and paint resist trees. Using shaving cream and fall inspired colors allows children to create one of a kind fall inspired art. To make the fun fall marbled paint resist trees, follow the simple steps below:

Materials needed:

• White card stock
• Shaving Cream
• Watercolors or food coloring (green, red, yellow)
• Baking sheet or shallow pan
• Painters tape
• Popsicle sticks
• Ruler or spatula

Instructions:

1. Provide children with strips of painters tape or masking tape. They can stick it on their cardstock in the shape of trees or any pattern they choose. (You don’t have to use cardstock, regular white printer paper is fine. However, cardstock is more resistant to warping from the shaving cream.)
2. Cover the baking sheet with a thin layer of shaving cream.
3. Drop the watercolors/food coloring in random places on the shaving cream.
4. Use popsicle sticks to mix and marble the colors together as much as desired.
5. Place the paper with the tape designs face down into the shaving cream, pressing evenly across the sheet.
6. Remove and carefully scrape the shaving cream off of the paper.
7. Carefully peel off the tape to reveal the beautiful fall trees.

Playing with shaving cream is a great sensory experience. After you slough off the fall-colored shaving cream from your papers, put it aside for some fun sensory play.

Books you can read with the children before or after this fun fall sensory experience:

• Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert
• When Autumn Falls by Kelly Nidey
• Leaves by David Ezra Stein
• Mouse’s First Fall by Lauren Thompson
• Fall Leaves by Martha E H Rustad
• Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
• Lucky Leaf by Kevin O’Malley
• Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone
• Fall Leaves Fall! by Shari Halpern Hall Zoe
• Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber
• Autumn is Here! by Heidi Pross Gray
• We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger

More explorations can be done after this project. Take an observation walk to look at the colors of the changing leaves or listen to the crunching under your feet. Enjoy the fall season and all the colors and wonders it has to offer.

Your kids might also enjoy these fun fall activities:

 

5 Little Scarecrows Counting Rhyme and Free Printable Puppets

 

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves – Story Timeline/Sequencing for Preschoolers!

 

About the Author: 

The Preschool Toolbox is pleased to have Andie Jaye as a valued contributor. Andie is a former preschool teacher turned stay-at-home mom of 3 kiddos. Her blog, Crayon Freckles, focuses on creative learning and play ideas, as well as parenting topics. Andie strives to be honest in her approach and experiences in parenting to let other moms know that they are not alone in their struggle. In her free time, she writes children’s books in hopes of publishing someday. You can follow Andie on Pinterest or on Twitter.