Printmaking with kids can be accessible and easy. This simple printmaking activity can be set up for children as young as three, maybe even two if you’re feeling brave!
Supplies:
this list contains affiliate links
- Rubbery plastic sink mat
- Washable Poster Paint (my favorite brand)
- Foam brushes (roller brushes or wide brushes will also work)
- Paper (I like sulfite drawing paper)
- Palette (Dinner plate covered with foil)
Printmaking with Kids: Easy Sink Mat Printing
I spend a lot of time at the hardware store. And last week I spotted this flower mat — the Blumz Sink Mat! — I love that exclamation point! — It’s an exciting sink mat! — and it looked like something that could be fun to print with!
In honor of Spring’s inevitable arrival (yes, it WILL get warmer) and St. Patty’s Day (I married a “Doorley”, after all), we used green and yellow paint.
I also found a bag of ten foam brushes at the dollar store, so the luck of the Irish was clearly with me. I covered the work space with paper and then my daughter painted the mat with our fresh Spring palette.
And then we added a sheet of paper, pressed it down with the palms of our hands, and pulled our first print.
Ooooooooh!! She loved it, and I thought it came out gorgeous!
We pulled three prints, which frankly was more than I had bargained for, and then the real fun began! If you followed our Jello experiment, you’ll recognize a common thread here…
And maybe you picked up on the addition of an apron. I love that focused expression.
There’s a leprechaun in my house!
More printmaking art projects for kids
16 Easy Printmaking Projects for Kids
Styrofoam Prints (from a veggie or meat packing tray)