Last Updated on January 2, 2025 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: Looking for a fun idea this winter? Try this penguin process art activity. Prep it in advance and it’s ready to go whenever you want!
I love process art.
Especially when it involves large motions!
During our snow and ice theme I decided to add an ice painting activity that also involves color mixing – with penguins.
Once I prepped the colored ice in advance, it was easy to put together on the day of the event.
We had very happy two and three year olds at the art table that day!
CLICK HERE to see this activity in action during our snow and ice theme!
I love putting together ice activities, and my students love it when I do, too!
Ice is so easy to work with, economical, and you can add details to make it go with many themes.
A couple of years ago we worked on fine motor skills by dropping liquid watercolors onto ice cubes.
In previous years I used ice more for painting, however.
It started with painting on simple ice blocks and then evolved to:
Hibernation: Bear Paw Ice Painting
Valentine’s Day: Heart Ice Painting
Christmas: Tree Ice Painting
This penguin process art activity was a bit different, as it involved using the colored ice to paint onto paper.
Ready to see how?
CLICK HERE to see an example of how our classroom is set up for the penguin theme!
Penguin Process Art Activity
Supplies Needed
- Plastic penguins
- Shallow circular containers (mine were from wet dog food packaging) OR you can use an ice cube tray
- Liquid watercolors
- Paper (I covered the entire table with paper from a roll, but also had individual sheets available for those that wanted their own to take home)
Preparation of Colored Ice
- Fill containers or ice cube tray with water.
- Squirt your choice of liquid watercolors into each container to tint the water.
- Place one penguin in each container or well of the ice cube tray.
- Place in the freezer.
Transferring the Colored Ice
Teachers, if you are preparing these at home, as I did, you will need a cooler to transfer your frozen paint to school.
Keep them in the cooler until you are ready for the art activity to begin.
Preparing the Art Table
If you are covering the entire table with paper from a roll, makes sure to tape the edges so it doesn’t slide off.
If you are doing this with individual sheets of paper, have them out on the table. (I like to use trays for individual work with a fresh piece of paper on top of each one).
Get Painting!
Once your children are ready to paint, grab the colored ice pieces and show them how to hold onto the penguin, sliding the ice across the paper.
At first it might not glide smoothly, but as the ice starts to melt, this will be easier.
In addition to simply being fun, this activity also builds fine motor skills!
The entire arm is being used as the hand directs the ice back and forth, or maybe even in circles!
Do not be surprised if your paper gets a hole in it.
This happened with the paper from our roll as it was thinner than our individual sheets of paper.
The children were having so much fun moving the ice back and forth that we found a couple of holes in the paper when the activity was finished.
No worries! This activity is all about the process!
Eventually the ice will break and the penguins will be released.
This was a great surprise for my students!
CLICK HERE to see 25+ more penguin activities!
Penguin Books To Read With This Activity
Five Little Penguins Slipping on the Ice
Free Printable to Use With Your Penguin Theme
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