This is a very easy to set up water art project for kids ages 2 and above. All you need are crepe paper ( streamer paper) and water. I had crepe paper which come in sheets. But you could easily use streamer paper bits in various colors of your choice.
First step was the best since it involved lots of tearing. We loved ed tearing up the bright colorful crepe paper.
With a paint brush the kids “painted” the paper with water. Now here there are numerous ways to do this crepe paper art project activity.
1. Spray water on a white paper and stick the colored paper bits- Good for a toddler
2. Use a brush and paint with water and then stick the colored bits – Good for a toddler
3. Arrange the bits in groups of 4/5 and use a medicine dropper to drench them with water – Good for a pre schooler and above
4. Arrange the bits in small groups and then dab them with water using a brush ( great practice for brush control) – Good for a pre schooler
The kids arranged the bits, moistened the bits with water and waited for it to dry. As soon as the water hits the crepe paper you will see the color bleeding out on to the white paper.
>Here is one of the completed crepe paper art collage. Isn’t this water art project super fun and easy?
Once the entire paper is dry, the kids had a fun time peeling off the paper and we were left these beautiful pieces.
This activity is very toddler-friendly since it is very simple and doesn’t involve too many complicated steps. My toddler had a great time painting with water and had even more fun time sticking the colored bits. Good fine motor pratice.
As I had previously shown in our math series, we also used the bleeding art technique for a fun number recognition exercise here.
We created many open ended collage type water art work. However my pre schooler is in a “scene phase” now where anything short of a particular order is frowned upon! As she grows up her mind is being conditioned to think a certain way! So by her request we made a garden theme since her original jungle theme did not materialize due to lack of colors.
Notice how the color from the crepe paper is starting to bleed on to the paper creating this beautiful water crepe paper art.
She designed the scene and we both cut out the shapes needed. This was a great shapes and visualization exercise. However we got over-zealous with the water in the garden scene and the paper soaked and eventually ripped. So watch out for those too eager “water pourers”.
I really love how each arrangement is so unique in its own right. Here are our open ended creations by my toddler and pre schooler. Added bonus is that it is virtually no mess art activity kids will enjoy.
This was done on a card stock paper.
Fun water art project that every one should try.
Here are some art projects for kids we have done in the past.We have painted with mud, Kool-aid art projects, we have used animal images to create fantastic animal resist art and even used spaghetti paint brushes to paint.
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I did this autumn color trees with the kids (and parents) for my son’s birthday party – it was a big hit. I’m very glad I did a trial run the day before though – the first crepe paper I used didn’t bleed at all! I had crepe paper from another brand though as well and that bled, thank heaven!
Glad to hear that the kids enjoyed the project. Some tissue paper don’t bleed at all. There are bleeding tissue specifically made for crafting purposes. Once upon a time all the tissue paper used to be bleeding tissues!
In addition to Monday Kid Corner Weekly Linky Party, this week’s theme is WATER. Brush off those archives and link them up at thejennyevolution.com. See you there! Jennifer
Not sure what I did wrong here, but we used BOTH crepe paper and tissue paper with water using the painting technique and we didn’t get ANY color to bleed out. We ended up brushing on some Elmer’s glue/water in hopes that they would turn out as collage Easter Eggs instead.
Hi Kathryn, all crepe paper will bleed out colors easily on regular paper. Some tissue paper will bleed out color and if you go out and purchase “bleeding tissue paper” then ofcourse the color will release well. However if you are trying this project on hard boiled eggs for Easter here are my suggestions. We haven’t done bleeding tissue paper on eggs but this is what I have found: If you want them to bleed out colors on eggs, water might not always work. You will need vinegar for the colors to release. Combine “bleeding tissue paper” with vinegar on eggs for a better result. Let me know if these ideas worked for you. Happy Easter
What a cute, clever project!! It came out SO cool!!
Thanks for linking up to TGIF! I hope to see you again tomorrow!
Beth =-)
Suja, this is just beautiful! I’m definitely going to have to pick up some crepe paper! Just pinned, and off to share now!
Another great idea with fab results! I’m featuring this tomorrow on The Sunday Showcase.
Love this idea! I will definitely be trying this with my daughters. Thanks for sharing! I’m stopping by from TGIF link up.
Very pretty! I’d love for you to link it to Mom’s Library if you haven’t already!
http://lifewithmoorebabies.blogspot.com/2013/01/moms-library-4-for-me.html
These turned out so beautifully. I’m pinning this to try with my girls. I think they could make a beautiful Valentine’s Day Card with this technique.
Thanks Jody 🙂 Oh yes, definitely cards with this method.
This is so beautiful!! I have used art tissue paper for this bleeding art, did not know crepe paper works too! Thanks for sharing
LOL, I didn’t realize tissue paper would work too. I should try and see if the colors are vibrant.
That is SUCH a great idea! I am pinning it!
And so easy even for toddlers. Thanks Caroline
Hi,
I am a science teacher desperately seeking crepe paper strips that “bleed” and your project caught my eye. Can you please tell me where you purchased your paper?
Thanks!
Frank
Hi,
Most crepe papers and regular streamers cut into pieces will bleed and will be perfect for this project. Crepe paper sheets are available on Amazon. Some tissue paper will work as well.. If you are looking specifically for bleeding tissue paper, here is a link. http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=7531&keyword=bleeding%20tissue%20paper