Soggy Day Outside? Make A Colorful Rain Painting

We know – the day is gray and gross, and you have no idea what you’re going to do with the kids. Instead of cursing Mother Nature and her precipitation, though, let’s incorporate those showers into a fun and colorful rain painting activity.

Rain painting is incredibly easy, requires only four materials – paper, food coloring, a tray or baking sheet, and rain – and is a great way to help kids explore color mixing. Ready to get started?

Take a sheet of paper outside, place it on a tray, and sprinkle drops of food coloring on the page. We used primary red, blue, and yellow.

If it’s windy outside, you might want to put a rock or two on the page so that your art won’t blow away. We speak from experience.

Now, just sit back (outside if it’s not too chilly – or from the cozy confines of your apartment window), and watch as the kids marvel over the colorful splatter design spreading across the paper.

When you’re happy with the design, carefully bring your masterpiece inside to dry.

There may be a bit of pooling liquid on the page, so carefully dab the excess water with a paper towel or Q-Tip.

Your rain painting, now exploding with every color of the rainbow, should be dry in about two hours. The best part? Once the kids see how wickedly cool those paintings are, they’re going to bust out the paper and food coloring to make more. So long, afternoon boredom!

Have a fun rainy day project to share? Email editor@bklyner.com with the details.