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I am so excited to share My Three Favorite Process Art Activities for an Ocean Theme with you! These art activities for preschoolers come directly from the Ocean Art Bundle in my TPT store. You can grab your free printable at the end of this blog post.
But first…
Art is a Process
Definition of Process Art
Simply put, Process Art values the creative journey one takes while creating art rather than the final product that is created. Process Art has a great number of benefits for preschoolers across all areas of development. Read more about that here.
Ocean Process Art Activities for Preschoolers
Salt & Watercolors Art Activity for Preschoolers
What’s more beachy than salt and water?! This art activity will allow your kiddos to explore and discover color-mixing, the way in which water moves the paint, and the effects that come from adding salt to the painting and the water.
All you need is:
- a watercolor paint set
- or liquid watercolors,
- a variety of paint brushes, watercolor paper,
- table salt,
- rock salt,
- 3 oz. paper cup(s) of water, paper towels,
- and an art tray.
My number one go-to for children who are feeling stressed or anxious is watercolors. This is a very calming art and a good one to do inside or outside, during an Ocean Theme, or any time of year!
Colorful Milk Designs Art Activity for Preschoolers
All mammals drink milk, but during our Ocean Theme, we like to make art with it! This activity has a strong science component and you won’t believe the results! Your preschoolers will learn about surface tension and water molecules. But I will bet that the abstract art created will be what mostly blows their minds!
All you need is:
- dish soap,
- whole milk,
- food coloring,
- toothpicks,
- cotton balls,
- cotton swabs,
- art trays
- or disposable pie tins, and watercolor paper.
This art can be done with or without paper because process art is not all about the product. If you would like to make a print of the colorful milk design, you can do so by placing the watercolor paper on top of the liquid, pressing lightly, and lifting slowly.
Another option is to take photographs of the designs. You can display the photos on a bulletin board or print them on card stock to create greeting cards. There are so many possibilities!
Egg Shell Sculptures Art Activity for Preschoolers
I like to do this art activity while we learn about sea turtles. Did you know that when a sea turtle becomes impregnated, she swims back to the beach where she was born to dig a hole where she spends a few hours laying almost 100 eggs?!
All you need for this art activity are:
- egg shells (boiled and bleached ahead of time to avoid salmonella),
- colored glue,
- cardboard or mat board,
- and any embellishments that you choose, such as glitter and sequins.
This art project will challenge your students to problem-solve as they work to adhere the shells to the cardboard and to each other. The results are so unique and interesting!
Related Products:
- If you would like to learn more about the beach with your preschooler, check out Week One of my Ocean Theme: Salt, Water, and Sand.
- You can learn more about ocean mammals with your preschoolers in Week Three of my Ocean Theme: Whales, Narwhals, and Belugas.
- You can also find my Mammal Sort Science Center in this Preschool Whales Activity Pack.
- You can find more sea turtle activities here:
Interesting Facts About Sea Turtles Non-Fiction Book and Slides
Sea Turtles Board Game and Life Cycle Posters
Week Four Bundle: Sea Turtles, Sharks, and Seahorses
Related Posts:
7 Simple Ways to Get Started with Process Art (available 6-10-22)
41 Affordable and Absolutely Essential Art Supplies you Need for your Next Ocean Theme (6-17-22).
