Looking for a fun and messy art project that will keep your kids entertained and moving? Pom-Pom splat art is the perfect messy preschool art activity!
Pom-pom splat is a tried-and-true favorite
We have been doing this project for years, which always brings big smiles.
Our preschoolers bounce off the walls with excitement when they see the setup.
This activity has become a beloved tradition that always guarantees fun, movement, color, and a stunning masterpiece at the end.
✨ Check out our ultimate collection of the best process art projects for kids!
Making a big splat: the gross motor benefits
Art and gross motor may not be the typical dynamic duo you think of when you think of preschool art, but here’s why they’re a perfect pair.
Gross motor skills involve the large muscles in the body and are essential for activities like walking, running, and throwing.
Activities like Pom-Pom Splat Art help children develop coordination, balance, and strength. These skills are crucial for physical health and provide a foundation for more complex movements in preschool and beyond.
PLUS, what kid doesn’t want to have an excuse to throw colorful, painted pom-poms for giant, artsy, colorful fun?!
Try some of our other favorite messy art projects:
Materials
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- Large, colorful pom-poms
- Bowls
- Washable paint
- Water
- Large piece of butcher paper, poster board, or cardboard
Instructions for Pom-Pom Splat Art Activity
Prepare the materials
- Lay out the butcher paper on the ground.
- Fill several bowls with different colors of washable paint. Dilute each with a small amount of water to create a painty mixture that will easily coat the pom-poms.
Prepare the pom-poms
- Place a large pom-pom in each bowl of paint. Let the kids take turns stirring the pom-poms in the painty water, ensuring they’re fully coated.
Time to splat!
- This is the fun part! Let the kids throw the paint-soaked pom-poms onto the butcher paper.
- Watch as the colors mix and spread, creating beautiful and unpredictable patterns. It’s a splat-tacular way to spend an afternoon!
What to do with your finished art
Once finished, leave the butcher paper out to dry. Depending on the amount of paint used, this could take a few hours to overnight.
Save the gorgeous finished paper for homemade wrapping paper, bulletin board backgrounds, homemade cards, and more.
Educational insights of pom-pom splat art activity
Pom-Pom Splat Art is not only fun but also educational.
When kids are doing pom-pom splat art, they’re exploring:
- Color Mixing: Kids observe how colors blend and mix when thrown together.
- Fine Motor Skills: Stirring the pom-poms and throwing them helps strengthen fingers and hands (and strong fingers and hands are essential for writing!).
- Creativity and Expression: This open-ended activity encourages kids to express themselves through art and explore their creative potential.
It’s a smash!
Pom-Pom splat art is a delightful way to engage kids in a colorful and active art project.
Give this vibrant and messy art project a try, and watch your little ones light up with excitement as they create their own unique splat art.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any that can safely use and enjoy the materials.
To minimize mess, conduct the activity outdoors or in an area where you can easily clean up, like over grass or on a drop cloth. Dress the kids in old clothes, and have a bucket of soapy water and some old rags or sponges handy for quick clean-up.
The paint shown and linked here did NOT stain the concrete, but always test your ground first.
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