Fun Sun Q-Tip Painting for Kids - Taming Little Monsters

Pack away the paint brushes, you won’t need them for this Sun Q-Tip Painting idea. This is a fun art project for kids who want to use something different to create with. Use it at home or in the classroom, toddlers and preschoolers will love making this picture during a summer or weather themed unit.

If you want to make your Summer themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Summer Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.

Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.

More Summer Arts and Crafts for Kids

Doing arts and crafts with your kids is a great way to spend some time together on a hot summer day. Here are some more of my favorite summer themed kids art ideas to try.

For more ideas, take a look at these 40 Summer Crafts for Kids.

Materials Needed

Q-tips (1 for each color of paint)
Paper
Paper plates and cups or something to trace around (optional)
Pen
Yellow or orange marker
Yellow and orange paint
Scissors
Paint tray

How to make a Sun Q-Tip Painting

Draw the Sun Outline

1. Place a small paper plate or bowl on a sheet of paper, and trace around it.

While I prefer tracing around a paper plate, because tracing is a great skill to teach young children, you don’t have to. You can always ask your children to draw a large circle freehand instead.

2. Place a paper cup or glass in the center of the large circle and trace around it, making a smaller circle in the middle.

I used a yellow and orange marker to make the center circle. I chose these colors because I knew that they would match the colors of the paint I was going to use to make my sun.

But you can always use a regular pen or pencil to make the smaller circle if you prefer.

3. Cut around the larger circle.

This step is optional, you can always finish painting your sun first and then cut it out once all of the paint has dried.

Paint the Face

4. Use q-tips to paint the face in the middle circle of your sun.

My kids had fun making a funny face initially. Although that didn’t last long because they then decided to paint over it.

Paint the Rays

5. Use q-tips to paint lines, from the center circle to the outer edge of your paper.

I chose to alternate the yellow and orange colors, so that my sun’s rays made a pattern. However you can paint your sun whichever way you like.

My kids did their own thing and didn’t even try to copy me when I was talking about the AB pattern I was making. However they had a lot of fun making their own unique artwork and for me, that’s more important.

What You’re Learning

Creativity

Let your kids’ imaginations grow by making their own unique sun painting. This is a great way to encourage them to express the ideas in their heads, in a way others can see.

Fine Motor Skills

Painting with q-tips is a great way to develop fine motor skills. The control needed to make a face or any mark on the page requires dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

Planning and Organization

This sun painting has several steps that need to be done in a specific order for this picture to work.

For example, if you paint the page first, and then try making your circles, your paper plate will get stuck to the wet paint and your pen won’t work.

Organizing the required materials beforehand, as well as planning out each step before you do it, is a great way for kids to strengthen their executive functioning skills.

Sun Safety

Making a sun picture is a great opportunity to talk to your kids about sun safety. Discuss sunscreen, hats and other things we do to make sure that we are protected from the sun’s rays.