Painting with Cotton Balls and Clothespins

 I don't know about you, but I am always looking for ways to minimize mess while still letting kids have their share of fun. My 3 year old loves to paint - finger paint, brush paint, you name it. Well, with a little 7 month old crawling around everywhere, I wanted to let her have some fun but also wanted to ensure I had a set up that was quick clean up in case that little booger decided to attack his sister. 

I remembered seeing painting with cotton balls and clothespins somewhere, so I set it up today. So simple, so easy, so quick! I used a cupcake pan but you can put your paint in anything. My idea for the future is to save the glass baby food jars and keep the paint in there so I can also store it better after it is done. 

Anyway, pour your paint. Then attach a cotton ball to a clothespin and put into each compartment of paint. Painting with cotton balls, or you could use pom moms, allows a sponge painting technique to occur if dabbed. 

Here is my baby's masterpiece. I call it abstract art.. :)

Or course I wanted to try it out too. I can so see this being used in the classroom for painting to accompany different writing projects, or just for fun. I made the butter fly below because although it is freezing cold in February, spring is around the corner!! This could make a cute project for that time of the year!

Have fun!