We had a rainy day this afternoon, so while Clara was napping, Emily and I had a pocket of time for a fun messy art project. I remember making lots of spin art as a kid, but I had a battery-powered kit which included paper and paint. The kit was fabulous, but once the batteries ran out, (or the paint, whichever came first), the fun would end. This method uses no batteries and just watered down washable paint.
To make your own spin art, you will need: a lazy susan with raised sides, washable kids paint, an eye dropper, and some cardstock paper.
Water down the paint so it flows easily with the eyedropper. Emily and I took turns painting and spinning the lazy susan (because I just couldn’t resist doing some spin art of my own, of course). Place the paper into the lazy susan so it fits snuggly (you may have to trim some edges to get it to fit well). Once your child has the dropper full and is ready to paint, give that sucker a good hard spin (while your child drops paint onto the paper)! Lay the paper flat to dry. This was a huge hit! The paint rinses easily off of the lazy susan, especially if you rinse it while the paint is still wet.
If you are feeling particularly ambitious, you could use this project as a way to introduce the concept of centrifugal force. I also liked how using the eye dropper was a good way for Emily to practice using the pincher grasp. She loved experimenting with different colors, dropper positions, and speeds of the lazy susan.
Looks like fun!
I wish I had a lazy susan, my boys would love to make spin art!
I got a lazy susan after reading your post about using one in the refrigerator…I’ll have to use it for this, too. Thanks!
@ MaryAnne — I couldn’t believe how much time we spent on this project, but we were both having such a great time.
@ Ally — I see them at thrift stores sometimes, so you can try looking for one there. I bet your boys would love this!
@ Holly — Fabulous! I would love to hear how it goes! 🙂
What a great idea! I used to love spin art, but only did it at fairs. I do have to give you extra points for clearly not worrying about the mess. I admit to getting stuck at the mess part and not trying fun activities like this because of it. But hmmmm, summer is coming. 🙂
So fun! I had a spin art kit as a kid too! Brings back memories. I can remember the way the paint smelled…weird huh? I’ll be keeping my eyes open for a lazy susan. Thanks!
@ Ivy — Hi! Honestly, it was far less messy than I had anticipated, probably because the sides of the lazy susan kept all the paint from splattering everywhere. It would be a great project for outdoors too!
@ Mama King — Funny how we remember stuff like how certain paints smell, right? This was definitely a trip down memory lane for me!
What a good idea! It looks a lot of fun 🙂
That is such a cool idea! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lazy susan with sides like that before. I’ll have to keep my eye out.
That looks like a LOT of fun Valerie!
Val
I have a lazy susan I haven’t used in years. I’ll have to go get it.
ok… that is pure GENIUS!!!
Another great idea. Looks like a lot of fun and makes prtty pictures.
What kid wouldn’t love this craft? I’m going to have to look for a lazy susan!
My daughter got thespin art thing for Christmas and it has been a big hit. Now that the precut paper is long gone I cut paper the correct siz but leave it folded/doubled so we can use her creations as greeting cards.
Just wanted to let you know I linked to this and the pinwheels in my weekly roundup. Thanks!!