Colorful Rainbow Collage Art

Inside: Explore colors with this rainbow collage art for toddlers. Then, add collage pieces. A fun process art activity!

Last year I added much more process art to my curriculum.

I wanted to give them opportunities to add their own creativity rather than produce something with a specific end result.

While we still do crafts from time to time, I have definitely noticed that my students are much more interested in process art.

This rainbow collage art is a perfect example, and they loved choosing their paint colors and the pieces they pressed on top.

While it can be done any time of the year, I chose to offer it during our rainbow theme.

Rainbow Collage Art for Toddlers

Watch the Video

The rainbow theme is one of my favorites.

It’s hard for me to decide what activities to offer because I want to share them all!

I make my decisions based on the interests of that year’s students.

Student Centered Approach

When I first started teaching – and for many years after that – I would plan everything during the summer.

Eventually I found that many of the activities that I planned never happened because I realized that particular group of children most likely wouldn’t find it as interesting as I had hoped.

I decided a student-centered approach was more successful, and that meant not planning everything before school began.

In many of my videos I share the importance of taking the necessary time to get to know your students right from the very first day of school.

Bringing what they are interested in to the classroom has made a world of difference.

For the first part of this particular school year, the art table just was not as popular as it usually is.

I observed and tweaked, noting what drew them to the art table during centers time.

Finally I learned that they just loved to paint AND they loved choices.

So, collages were a big hit.

That is why I thought of this rainbow collage art.

Supplies

• Cardstock paper
• Tempera paint in rainbow colors
• White glue
• Paintbrushes
• Collage pieces

Ideas for Collage Pieces

• cellophane
• yarn
• pom poms
• paper
• felt
• feathers

Preparation

Pour each color of paint into a separate container.

Pour a bit of glue into each container (I just eyeball a few tablespoons) and add paintbrushes.

Place collage pieces on trays that can be spread out on the table.

Set Up

I like to set trays at each spot at the art table.

Then, I place the paper on top of the tray.

I put the containers of paint in rainbow order in the middle of the table along with the trays of collage pieces.

My goal is that they are spread out so the children can reach each one, or ask someone to pass it to them.

Watch: The Easiest Ways to Manage the Art Center

The Activity

Explain to your children that they will be using one color at a time, brushing the paint across their paper.

Some of the children’s paper was covered with paper, others kept it minimal.

It’s their work.

When finished, let dry!

I love how vibrant each child’s work was, and they looked so colorful hanging in the classroom.