Halloween painting fun for toddlers!

Make a cute Halloween to picture to hang or give to someone special.


MATERIALS

White, Orange or Black Construction paper

Ghost stencil (or other halloween character) 

Sponge

Paper Plate or small plastic palette for paint

Paint Brush

Tempera paint (white, black, orange or purple)

Masking tape

OTHER MATERIALS

Scissors

Newspaper to work on

Art smock or old shirt

STEPS

1. Select a stencil of your choice. Make your own, find foam shapes at a craft supply store or educational stores have holiday stencils.
   
   
2. Cut your stencil using construction paper.
   
   
3. Select the color paint you want to use and then select a contrasting color of construction paper Black with white, orange with black, purple with white or orange are great combinations.
   
   
4. Make a loop with a piece of masking tape and adhere your stencil to the paper.
   
   
5. Cut out a square or rectangular piece of sponge as shown in photo. The rectangular shape made it easy to hold.
   
   
6. Put paint on the palette. Dip sponge into paint lightly or use a brush to apply.
   
   
7. Gently stamp along all the edges of your stencil.
   
   
8. Gently lift stencil and place in another location.
   
   
9. Repeat if desired.
   
   
10. Let dry.
    
    
11. Frame or mat onto another construction paper for a nice effect.
    

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

Practice on a piece of newspaper or scrap paper first to show your child how to print without pressing to hard.

For young toddlers, apply paint for them onto the sponge.

For older toddlers, let them dip into the paint or use a paint brush to apply. The paint brush minimizes excess paint.

EDUCATIONAL TIPS

Read a Halloween story and talk about different Halloween characters or things that represent Halloween.

This great idea and other activity ideas for toddlers can be found on www.teaching-tiny-tots.com