Golf Ball Painting (Sort Of)

The method is pretty easy: take a shallow container (I used a plastic tote), line it with heavy paper, dip a golf ball in tempera paint, throw it in the tote, and let the rolling fun begin. You're left with an awesome work of art with groovy lines and textures and colors. Or so I thought when I presented this art activity to L. You see, I once did this activity with the kindergarten class I'd been teaching and it was a huge hit.  But for a toddler like L, there were much more satisfying things to do with than paint-covered golf ball that roll it around in a shallow tote.

For starters, L was much more interested in propelling the golf ball around the bin herself. I actually loved this because it was excellent fine motor practice and she had more control of her art experience.

After experimenting with that for a bit, she decided it was way more fun to smear large globs of paint around with her hands. Again, I thought this was fantastic (love a girl who controls her own destiny!) and also it was hilarious for those of us watching this whole shebang.

Of course, when have we ever gotten through an art activity without at least some amount of paint ending up all over L's appendages? Never!

Eventually, she did decide to give the whole rolling-the-golf-ball thing a try, and it turns out she was a master of that skill in no time. She laughed riotously every time the ball banged against the side of the tote. 

We ended up with some pretty cool designs, and the most important thing is that L experimented with art and had a good time. It's always so funny to see your own plans thrown out the window by a wee one...you just never know what can happen!