Inside: Painting with apples is always fun with the fall theme, especially when you add an extra step and wash them afterwards. Toddlers and preschoolers love this hands-on activity!
Fall is the perfect time to explore apples and we love to include them at the art table.
We’ve enjoyed creating apple suncatchers (they look so colorful in our window!), making apple prints using bubble wrap (rolling paint is always a favorite), and making three dimensional apple trees to display on our classroom shelf.
Our students then bring apples from home so we can compare their colors and cut them to make applesauce!
Painting With Apples {And Washing Them!}
There are lots of ways to paint with apples (the classic apple stamping activity is our favorite).
Painting with apples is always fun!
For this particular activity you can use pretend apples (we borrowed ours from our apple stand dramatic play activity) or real apples.
Your choice!
This is a two step activity – painting and then washing – so your children will be busy and engaged for quite awhile!
Materials We Used for Painting
- Whole apples (pretend, but you can use real ones)
- Tempera paint (we used red and green)
- Paint brushes
- Plain paper or our free apple printable
- Trays (to keep the apples from rolling away)
- Containers for paint
Materials We Used for Washing
- Tub filled with warm water
- A squirt of liquid soap
- Small brushes and/or sponges (we like to cut them into smaller pieces)
How To Set Up This Apple Painting Activity
Set out trays at each spot, adding a piece of paper on top of each one.
Provide containers of paint, paint brushes, and apples.
How We Introduced Apples At Circle Time
Before we started this activity, we gathered at circle time.
We sang “Way Up High In the Apple Tree” using the apple tree prop from our Song & Rhymes Pack #2.
We then read some favorite apple books.
So when it came time for our apple painting and washing activity, the children were ready!
Painting With Apples
Our art activities are done at the art table, which is part of centers time.
We set out 4-6 chairs and children can participate any time during centers.
In fact, it’s not uncommon for our toddlers to paint, then go do something else, and return to paint some more. Perhaps several times!
As the children sat down, they got right to work painting their apples.
They were used to 3-dimensional art from when we painted our farm animals the week before during our farm theme.
When your children start this activity, you might need to demonstrate how to brush the paint on the apple, but it should be pretty easy to understand.
Some children might only cover part of the apple, some might cover the entire surface.
There is no right or wrong way.
There is also the additional challenge of keeping the apple from rolling while painting.
However, children quickly realize that when the apple rolls around the paper, paint tracks are made!
Using plain paper:
Using apple printable:
Washing the Paint Off the Apples
Make sure to have a container of warm, soapy water ready to go.
We filled the deep wells of our Activity Table with water and provided small scrub brushes and sponges that were cut into smaller pieces.
As your children are finished painting their apples (and making tracks on paper), they can then carefully take them over to the bin of water.
Providing water table activities is not only a fun sensory experience, but they are also great for fine motor strengthening.
Water table activities can also be a nice calming activity, especially for energetic children.
Tip: Keep the water shallow to avoid extra spills. Trust me, I learned this the hard way….. 🤣
You could always take it outside, too!
Any small brushes will work. I picked up a pack of these small cosmetic brushes at the dollar store years ago. They are great for scrubbing because of their long handles!
When finished, invite your children to dry them using a towel.
We then tossed ours into the apple basket that was part of our dramatic play area.
Related: Fall Dramatic Play Ideas
Apple Ideas for the Classroom
Circle Time
Hold Apple Props.
Sing “Way Up High In the Apple Tree” (prop can be found in this packet).
Math
Count the apples on the tree (free printable).
Count apples 1-10 (free printable).
Cooking
Baking: Easy Apple Muffins.
Cooking: Easy Applesauce.
Color Recognition
Compare colors of apples brought from home (free printable).
Dramatic Play
Put together an apple stand.
Sensory Bin
Explore dyed rice and apples.
Art
🍎 Fall Activity Plans 🍎
I’ve teamed up with other early childhood teachers and homeschoolers to put together these hands-on fall activity plans for toddlers and preschoolers!
Easy to follow activities that include modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.
Note: This is a digital product. That means when you make a purchase, you will be emailed a link to the activities.
For more information, click on the graphics below:
FREE CIRCLE TIME PLANNER!
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