In this art project for kids, torn newspaper pieces will serve as your inspiration for painting. See what the torn shapes remind you of, and then create your picture using tempera paint!
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The Preschool Book Club is back this week with creative activities for kids inspired by popular children’s book, Beautiful Oops! Every other week we’ll be sharing some fun activities for kids based on the book of the week. (Be sure to check out all my activities for kids inspired by children’s books!)
Painting Torn Newspaper- Art for Kids Inspired by Beautiful Oops!
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg is one of our favorite books and is definitely worth owning. In this hands-on picture book, children learn it’s okay to make mistakes, and that your mistakes can even lead to other opportunities. A fold, hole, or stain on your paper can actually inspire all kinds of creativity!
We were inspired by one page in particular in the book- a painting on a torn piece of newspaper. I loved how the shape of the paper after being torn could actually inspire your painting. And as an added bonus, using newspaper in art is always fun and gives your finished products a unique look. (We’ve used newspaper to make snowflakes and these paper mache ornaments.)
Materials for Painting on Torn Newspaper
- Newspaper
- Tempera paint
- Paintbrushes
- Containers for your paint (We like ice cube trays, paper plates, or paint cups.)
Directions for Painting on Torn Newspaper
1. Start by tearing your newspaper into different shapes. We did a bunch together, and then placed them on the floor nearby to choose from.
2. Choose one of the torn newspaper shapes and examine it. What does it remind you of? This shape reminded Lucy of an elephant!
3. Use tempera paint and a brush to paint your shape.
4. Let it dry, and paint some more!
Tips
- Younger children, like Theo (age 3), might just enjoy the sensory aspect of painting on newspaper, rather than painting an actual object.
- Children might simply use the torn newspaper shape as inspiration for painting patterns and designs.
- Allow your children or students rip their own pieces of newspaper. Lucy loved using the shapes she had torn herself.
- Try out other types of paper- maybe torn up grocery bags or fliers from the mail!
More Beautiful Oops! Activities
Be sure to check out all the creative Beautiful Oops! activities created by the other members of The Preschool Book Club!
Straw Blow Painting from Homegrown Friends
Folded Paper Animals from Sugar Aunts
Circle and Hole Art from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails
Oops Painting from Mama Papa Bubba
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Love how these turned out Chelsey! Great project that is adaptable to many ages!
What a great way to build creativity! It reminds me of the doodle bug on a show called Pappy’s Land (it was a small little art show for kids). The bug would try to stump Pappy by drawing squiggles and Pappy would have to make a real picture out of them. That became one of my favorite games as a child! This craft looks just as fun!Thank you for sharing!