One of our favorite simple toddler art activities is creating a collage with glue. We tint the glue so it looks more like paint and can be seen better on paper. Sprinkle on some red dyed rice or any materials you offer, and you will have some happy little artists!
If you’ve been reading my blog awhile, you know how important it is to keep toddler art simple and fun. So, I’ve made sure that this activity is part of my collection of simple art for toddlers
What you will need for this simple activity:
- Paper
- Paintbrushes
- Glue
- Paint
- Dyed rice (you can see how we dye our rice in our sunflower sensory activity) or any other small items
- A tray with sides, or a box lid
Getting started:
Pour glue into a small container and add desired amount of paint to add color. Stir with paintbrush.
Place collage materials in another container.
Creating the collage:
Place paper on tray or inside box lid. Brush tinted glue onto paper.
Add collage materials.
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Let your toddlers keep on going until they are ready to stop. Some toddlers like to do a bit here and there, leaving to do something else in between. Toddlers have short attention spans, so we often leave their work on the table so they can return to it later.
A benefit of making collages is that it helps develop fine motor skills plus it’s a great hand-eye activity. It’s open-ended so even our youngest children can express their creativity.
Because of the small pieces involved, make sure you are supervising your toddler during this activity. If we see our toddlers start to put an object near their mouths, we gently remind them that this is not for eating. If you are concerned about using small pieces, try using larger pieces, such as torn paper. It’s really the process that they love, so whatever you choose, they will receive the benefits of creativity and exploration.
When finished:
When they are finished, gently pick up the piece of paper and let the extra pieces of rice fall into the box lid. You can either recycle that rice for another art project, or dispose. Easy clean up!
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Here are some more collage ideas:
- Foil Collage (Picklebums)
- Snowflake Collage (Tinkerlab)
- Making Collages with Preschoolers (Rainy Day Mum)
- Collaging for Preschoolers (Artchoo)
- Candy Wrapper Easter Collage (B-Inspired Mama)
- Making Collage Art with Toddlers (Buggy and Buddy)
- Tissue Paper Collage (Craftulate)
- Nature Sensory Board (Fun at Home With Kids)
- Fabulous Fall Collage (Happy Hooligans)
- Sticky Square Collage (Teach Preschool)
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Adore this idea! Great work. 🙂
Thank you, Kate! They really loved it!
Sheryl, I love this great sensory art activity! It addresses so many skills – fine and visual-motor as well!
Thank you, Katherine!
What a neat idea! I’m always looking for new things to try with my daughter!
Great stuff! Just hope that you keep the kiddos nice and clean afterwards! Hopefully the clean-up wasn’t too messy!
The mess is part of it. 🙂 Thank goodness for a broom!
Oooh my small boy will LOVE doing this… there really is something magical about running your fingers through that rice!
Thanks for including our link too!
Happy to do so, Kate!