With the weather starting to change, we decided to have a go at some wet paper towel art. Oh my gosh, it was so much fun and addictive.
Both my girls, Possum (aged 7 years) and Boo (aged 4 years) could draw and colour in for days. If ever I want to engage them in something quickly, I just have to get out the pencils and textas and they are away.
To extend their love of drawing, I had them create some gorgeous paper towel art.
Paper towel art is wonderful because it transforms a child’s original drawing in ways they could not replicate themselves.
Recommended age : 4 years +
(Strict and active supervision is required at all times)
To create paper towel art, you’ll need :
– Paper towel
– Textas
– Water
– Q-Tip
Simply have your child draw a picture on the paper towel.
Just add water
Next you’ll instruct your child to use the q-tip, dip it into the water and add drops to their picture. The picture will quickly start to change as the water touches the ink from the texta.
Expect the unexpected
You might like to prepare your child for what to expect of the transformation as their picture if going to change quite considerably. You don’t want them upset because their picture feels it’s being ‘ruined’ by the water.
Explain that very soon their drawing is going to change and look completely different to what it did originally.
You might like to show them an example using your own art picture.
Soon you’ll find your child becomes quite fascinated with adding water to their various drawings and watching the water drag out the ink from the texts.
The paper towel is an important part of why this happens.
Suddenly a child’s gorgeous picture takes on a whole new look!
It really is quite stunning how they turn out and it’s never really quite what you expect. All I know is, that you can’t stop at one picture.
They also dry beautifully too.
Is this something your child would have fun doing?
What is a texta? Won’t Crayola Brand washable markers work?
I would like to do this with the children at my work
Hi Julie! Thanks for your great comment. I’m in Australia and we call markers, textas. Thank you for highlighting this to me. I appreciate that there are many names for a particular item.
ABSOLUTELY!! This will certainly work for Crayola washable markers. 🙂
Have fun.
Thank you for clarifying what a Texta is because I was stumped when you mentioned it. I quickly looked it up and thank God for Google. This sounds like something my 3 1/2 year old would love to do with Mommy and Daddy! 🙂
Hi Cindy. Gah! So sorry for the confusion. I grew up calling them textas and never thought about calling them anything different. Hahaha. Much appreciate your message. Hope your 3 1/2 yr old enjoys this idea. 🙂
Hi Kate. I love your stuff.
I live in South Africa and we call them Kokis or koki pens.
Also permanent markers.
I have a playgroup at home for pre schoolers…age 3 to 6. Your ideas are fun, educational and economical as well as different.
Thank you so much.
My daughter has moved to Canberra with her hubby and my 2 grandkids. She was the one who sent me this link.
Kind regards
Desire.
That’s so wonderful!!!! Canberra is lovely, I’m sure they’ll really enjoy themselves here Desire. You’ll have to come over to Australia for a visit.
Thank you for your kind words and telling me about your South Afircan name for markers. Super helpful. Thank you!! 🙂
I’m from nz and we call them felts lol great activity I’m going to give this a go with our tamariki today!
Oh we also call q tips cotton buds 😀 lol
How did you go Sharn I would like to try them also – did you use cotton buds and felt pens or permanent markers – e.c.e. nz also.