Fall Process Art for Toddlers Using Corks

Last Updated on August 18, 2021 by Sheryl Cooper

Inside: This fall process art for toddlers is all about mixing and stamping colors onto large sheets of paper using corks. A fun way to explore autumn colors while strengthening fine motor skills!

Painting with corks is a fun way for toddlers to strengthen their fine motor skills while stamping paint onto paper.

This fall process art for toddlers is all about the motion of moving the cork up and down and side to side while mixing an assortment of fall colors.

Fall Process Art for Toddlers Using Corks

Get ready to explore the colors of fall with this action process art activity!

What you will need:

Corks
Washable tempera paint in a variety of fall colors
One large sheet of butcher paper that covers the table

First, you will need to set up the activity.

Cover a long table with butcher paper. Makes sure to tape the edges of the paper to the table so it doesn’t move around. We like to remove the chairs from the table so our toddlers can walk right up and start painting. Often, because their little bodies don’t like to stay in one spot for very long, they will walk around the table while stamping paint.

Fill shallow containers with different colors of paint and place a cork in each one. Place them at various spots on top of the paper.

Now it’s time to invite your toddlers to have fun!

Show them how to remove the cork from the paint and press it onto the paper, stamping a few times.

Watch as they explore how it feels to stamp the cork down onto the paper, perhaps even sliding the cork from side to side.

What happens when the red paint and the yellow paint combine on the paper?

This fall process art activity is a fun way for toddlers to explore simple color mixing!

Some of your toddlers might want to get their hands and fingers involved, especially if using paint is a new experience.

Doing this activity as a group helps toddlers feel more confident working in a shared space. They are learning how to navigate and share materials, possibly strengthening their verbal skills while sharing a few words with each other.

When the activity is finished:

I am often asked if we save the group painting once the children are finished. Usually we do, so that we can display it on the classroom wall or out in the hallway for the parents to see.

If you’d like something for the children to take home, you can cut the paper into sections and then place one section in each child’s cubby.