How to do string roll painting

When did you last stand on level 2 room 12 at the Tate modern and think, “my two-year-olds could have done that”. Those abstract impressionist pieces so nicely framed which sell for millions at auction may still be within budget for your nursery. Get the two-year-olds involved!

String rolling painting is a fun and easy activity for kids of all ages. All you need is a cardboard roll, some paint, paper, and a string.

Experimenting with different colours of paint facilitates creativity and exploration. Add some glitter, or other mediums to encourage self-expression.

Introduce geometry concepts. New vocabulary: parallel and perpendicular lines, vertical and horizontal.

Instructions with pictures

Preparation

To do string-roll-painting you need

• Paint
• Tray
• Paper
• Tape
• Scissors
• String
• Cardboard tubes (e.g. carpet tubes, Pringles cans, toilet rolls)

Step one:

Roll the string around the cardboard tube.

Step two:

Squirt some paint onto the tray. Two to three colours for best results.

Step three:

Roll your wrapped cardboard tube around in the paint.

Step four:

Apply the paint onto the paper by rolling your painty tube around. Continue experimenting with different colours, and roll the tube in different directions.

Step five:

If you have a room full of “artists”, increase the value of your finished masterpieces by creating a framed art collage.

There’s a seasonal masterpiece for your wall. Parents will think they stumbled into an exhibition of Gerhard Richter’s Cage paintings.