I love this sticky paper art activity as a quick go-to indoor activity for my son when he needs something to focus on. I love focusing on one color at a time and mixing things up with different textures, shapes and materials. He's using his fine motor skills and getting a bit of sensory experience in there as well.
(Note: affiliate links, below)
It's super easy to set up!
Three Pain-free Steps:
1. Attach a length of Contact Paper, sticky side out to an easel with clips or to a wall with painter's tape.
2. Make available a large quantity of collage type materials: torn up papers, buttons, feathers, gems, poms, fabrics, etc. There are convenient jumbo craft supply buckets like these, but you can also rummage around the house. Honestly, the kids will still like it even if you use torn-up junk mail!
3. Step away and let your kid have at it!
My son was in a one-color-at-a-time phase when I took this photo. I really found that focusing on one color for art projects, as I explain in this post about preschool color art ideas, freed him up from his tendency to overthink everything and his resistance to art projects in general.
Extension idea
I extended the activity by providing a box full of different colored materials and my son spent some time sorting out all the orange items.
Tip
Don't discourage your child from pulling off the items they have already stuck on the sticky paper. The deconstruction and destruction of art is also a creative endeavor! Also your kid will stay occupied for longer, and why wouldn't you want that?? When my son was finished he loved pulling all the craft bits off and, hey -- it saved money because we reused the sticky paper the next time we needed a quick boredom buster!
Caveat: Children under three require supervision when using small objects.
More easy ideas!
- No-prep activities for 2-4 year olds
- Boredom Buster: Toddler Sensory Paper - this also uses sticky paper!
- 35+ Make Your Own Puzzles for Kids: Ideas for all Ages
- 42 Indoor activities for toddlers
Jenny says
Oh, we looooove contact paper here! We haven't used any in awhile, either...I remember taping a large piece of it to the floor once and letting CJ walk on it barefoot- she LOVED it. Thanks for the reminder.
Maddie, Mad Rambler says
I like your take at "one color at a time" not only does it help teach the color but it makes for such beautiful artwork.
Julie says
OH-MY-GOSH! what a fabulous idea. You are a genius. I will definitely have to try this with my 3.5 y.o ds.
PJ says
I *love* the idea of contact paper - it's now on my shopping list! I enjoy your blog - i've added you to my blogroll at JM's Adventures
Julie says
so we tried this...and it wasn't as wildly popular as I'd hoped. Oh well. I posted pictures on my blog.