Sponge Art

What You Need:

• White tablecloth
• Sponges
• Pencil
• Black marker
• Scissors
• Tempera paint
• Plate
• Newspaper
• Paper plates

What You Do:

1. Start by setting up your workspace. You and your child will need to cover a flat surface with newspaper -- this might get messy!
2. Help her use a black marker to draw flower and leaf shapes directly on the sponges. Encourage creativity; don't just stick with one type of flower.
3. Have her use scissors to cut the shapes out of the sponge. Depending on the thickness of the sponge, you may have to take over cutting duties.
4. Let your child pour each paint color into its own separate paper plate.
5. Show your child how to press one of the sponges into the paint before lightly "stamping" it. Consider letting her do a few practice runs before she actually begins stamping the white tablecloth.
6. Have her fill the entire tablecloth with a lush garden of merry flowers and leaves!

Helpful Tips:

• If your child is having trouble managing the gloopy paint, try using a paint brush to gently apply the paint directly on each sponge.
• If you're interested in creating a special family treasure that will survive a little wear and tear, swap out the tempera paint for actual fabric paint.