Rainbow Rolling Pin Art

This rainbow rolling pin art project is always a favorite, and we usually do it around our annual rainbow theme. Little ones and big ones can do this with ease, and it always turns out beautifully.

It’s even a perfect combination of process art and gross motor skills! Children can do it alone or with another friend.

Here are our rainbows from last year. We originally got the idea from Caroline over at De Tout et de Rien and modified it so that my preschoolers could do it without getting paint on their hands. If you don’t have a rolling pin handy or if you have little ones who love the sensory aspect of painting, I recommend using her method.

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Rainbow Rolling Pin Art

Create an instant rainbow with a rolling pin! In this activity, children use their arms to push a rolling pin and paint at the same time. Painting with large motor muscles is a fun and out-of-the-box way to create.

Pushing a rolling pin requires both arms to do the same motion at the same time (symmetrical bilateral coordination). That means that both sides of the body are working together. When the right and the left arm use the same amount of pressure to push the rolling pin, each color of paint transforms into a colored stripe.

We love that this activity strengthens arm muscles, works on coordination, and creates art at the same time!

Materials

• Butcher paper or easel paper
• Tape
• Rainbow-colored tempera paint
• Rolling pin (I recommend a full-size rolling pin. Otherwise, it’s tricky to fit all the colors.)
• Smock

How to Create a Rolling Pin Rainbow

1. Find a flat and smooth surface to put the butcher paper on. Tape down the ends to keep it steady and from shifting.
2. Set a full-sized rolling pin on the edge of each color paint in front of it, in rainbow order.

3. Put a smock on the child since this activity can get messy. Help position their hands on the rolling pin and tell them to push it forward.

Encourage them to reach as far as they can. Instantly, the paint globs turn into a beautiful rainbow.

4. At this point, either put the painting aside to dry or allow the children to roll the rolling pin back and forth. Provide enough paper for the child to do this many times since repetition is important.

It’s so simple that even toddlers can make this. This will be the easiest rainbow they have ever made, and it is so fun!

Aren’t the results absolutely beautiful?

Since they love to roll over and over again, I set the first rainbow aside then let them roll over and over with another sheet.

Watch a video of the process!

I made a video on Facebook about how to do this if you want to take a peek at it. Or if you are on Instagram you can see it there too.

Here are some more of my rainbow projects you might enjoy as well:

Rainbow Button Collage Canvas Art

Rainbow Sight Word Lacing and 17 Other Rainbow Busy Bags

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Katie T. Christiansen

Creator at Preschool Inspirations

Katie has spent over 20 combined years in the Early Childhood field as a teacher, preschool owner, and educational writer. She has worked in profit and non-profit programs, high-risk schools, and started an in-home preschool and outdoor collaborative preschool program. She loves being a mom to three kids and seeing the impact that early learning makes.

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