Before class, ask families to donate used pump-spray bottles,
such as hair spray or home cleaner bottles. Wash all these bottles
and pumps in ammonia to get rid of the old substance.
Fill each spray bottle with water and a different-color drop of
food coloring. Label each bottle with an appropriately colored
piece of masking tape.
Tie a 20-foot piece of rope between two trees or poles
outside-about 3 feet from the ground. Clothespin newsprint sheets
to the rope.
Have children wear paint shirts. Then have them each choose one of
the bottles to spray near the top of their newsprint. Have children
use spray bottles with other colors to spray the rest of their
newsprint sheets.
The colored water will drip and run. Colors will mix, creating
beautiful paintings.
Once a child is through with his or her painting, remove it and
allow it to dry on the grass. Place another sheet of newsprint in
its place, and allow another child to create a masterpiece.
Jolene L. Roehlkepartain
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
