Activity 5: Moon Painting
Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool
Activity time: 15 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Newspaper or other covering for tables
- White paper plates, at least one for each child, a hole punch, and yarn
- Red, orange, white, and black tempera paint, and paint brushes
- Glitter
- Moistened paper towels
- Optional: Paint smocks
- Optional: Digital camera or smartphone
Preparation for Activity
- Punch a hole at the top of each paper plate.
- Cover the activity table(s) with newspaper and set out paper plates, paint, and brushes.
Description of Activity
Children create a painting of the moon.
Invite children to make a moon painting using tempera paint and white paper plates. Make sure that each child puts their name on their paper plate. Optional: Have each child put on a smock.
Encourage children to use their imaginations as they paint. You might prompt them with questions, for example:
- Can you make a new moon? A full moon?
- Can you make a face on the moon? Can you make a moon with an animal on it?
- Do you think you would like to go to the moon? Can you draw how you would get there?
Sprinkle the wet paint with glitter and place the moon plates somewhere safe to dry. After they dry, thread a length of yarn through the hole in each plate, for hanging. Optional: Take pictures of the children with their finished moons.
Put the moons near the door for the children to take home later.
Invite the children to help clean up. They can gather the newspaper to recycle or throw away, put away art supplies, and wipe up paint from the table with paper towels. Have them wash their hands. Make sure no one has wet paint on their clothes or shoes.
Including All Participants
If any child is in a wheelchair, make sure that there is a table at their height, with places for other children as well, so they may paint along with everyone. Children who are not able to hold a paint brush can finger-paint, instead.