Bubble Wrap Roller Printing

In my art class there are many days where I plan a collaborative art experience. I actually love these projects more than anything else. Since I teach mostly four and five-yr olds, collaboration is a natural way to promote creativity and exploration because at that age every experience is so rooted in socialization. They love to chit-chat, giggle, move their bodies and tell stories. There are so many lessons to be learned when working together, like sharing and passing colors, tolerance (when someone splatters paint on your work by accident), how to give a compliment, and respecting someone’s space.

Last week we tried rolling with bubble wrap! I got the idea from MaryAnn Kohl’s brand new kids’ art book that she wrote with Barbara Zaborowski called ACTION ART. MaryAnn has inspired generations of parents and teachers with her series of process art books (she has written more than 20!), and Barbara has a been a preschool teacher for more than 20 years, committed to authentic art and play experiences for her children. They are a dynamic duo, and I love this book for all the art experiences that encourage kids to wiggle, drip, spray, spin and roll!

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Bubble wrap printing is just one of the 100 art experiences in the book (wow!).  To set this up, I just wrapped a few rollers with bubble wrap, put out some paint and covered our table with paper. I used some smaller rollers that we usually keep in the play dough area, and then one big roller from my kitchen.

I used some trays from IKEA to roll out the paint. The rolling was very contained, and even though it looks like there is paint splattered on the walls, that is from another messy-fun project (ha!).

I love this quote from MaryAnn in an interview she did with The Artful Parent:

“Humans have two sides of the brain, and one of them is ready and waiting for creativity. Why not use that hemisphere for what it was intended — Art Exploration and Creativity? Art is a major area of a child’s life where he can be himself, explore, experiment, make decisions, and evaluate outcomes, all within the realm of creativity and independent thought. I believe that art is as natural as sunshine and as vital as nourishment.”

And another quote that is so simple and helpful from that same interview, when asked how to make art a part of a child’s everyday life:

“So to begin a day with art, slice those bananas and decorate your cereal, for starters. Blueberries add color. The day can begin with art, it truly can. Fold a paper napkin in a new way, and surprise your kids. Art is found in the simplest of places, including bubble baths.”

They could have rolled for an hour! But I finally had to stop them because the paper was getting so wet that it was about to rip. I think next time I might use a giant piece of cardboard, or perhaps a piece of canvas!

Here is the final painting, dried and hanging on the wall. It has been hanging up all week, it’s so bright and cheery!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free. I am not getting paid for this review. All opinions are my own.

I have turned down at least 25 pages in this book, things that I will definitely do with my kids in art class. I love how the book is divided into sections, and that each project is open to many interpretations. This is not a craft book, there is no right or wrong way to do any of these projects which is what makes them so classic. You can do them over and over again, each time discovering new techniques and become more familiar with the materials.

Here is a glimpse into the exciting chapters:

CHAPTER 1: Smacking ~ Squeezing ~ Tapping (my favorite from this section is Art Hockey which we are trying soon)

CHAPTER 2: Rolling ~ Spinning ~ Swinging (the Bubble Wrap Printing is from this section)

CHAPTER 3: Blowing ~ Exploding ~ Smooshing (Party Blower Art sounds so fun)

CHAPTER 4: Toys ~ Tools ~ Utencils (how does a Chalk Rake sound? pretty awesome I think)

CHAPTER 5: Up ~ Down ~ All Around (Dancing Blottos sounds very interesting)

I made a little one minute movie about the experience, you have to see this process in action! Click here to watch, it will make you smile…I promise!

ACTION ART is a perfect resource for at home (if you don’t mind a little mess) and in the classroom. And now that it’s summer, we can do so many of these experiences outside!

I’ll leave you with one last quote from MaryAnn’s interview with The Artful Parent:

“Art has no right way and no wrong way, only the child’s way.”

Amen!

xo, Bar