Apple Shake Painting: An Easy Preschool Process Art Activity

Shake painting is a really fun art activity in which you place a piece of paper, some objects such as marbles or rocks, and paint into a box and then shake it up to create a marbleized effect. There is no right or wrong way to make a shake painting: you just throw the things in and shake it up. It is an activity universalized loved by small children.

I decided to do a seasonal variation on this activity with some yellow construction paper cut into an apple shape. I chose yellow paint rather than red or green because it was the lighter color and would show the paint better than red or green paper would. You could also use white construction paper and just try to really color it with the paint. I provided some apple themed color paint (red and green), Finally, we placed a toy apple in the box to help move the paint around.

You Will Need:

• yellow construction paper
• scissors
• non-toxic washable paint
• toy apple or real apple
• box

To Set Up the Apple Activity:

Cut out your apple. You can use any template you like, or make your own. I folded a piece of paper in half and cut out a half apple shape, to make an easy symmetrical apple shape.

Place the construction paper in the box. Add dabs of paint to the paper. Place the apple in the box as well and seal it up. You are ready to begin!

Making the Painting with Your Child:

Hand the box to your child. Invite them to shake it, rock it, roll it, whatever! The apple will move around inside the box transferring paint everywhere. You can open it up every couple of minutes and check on the painting's progress.

Be sure to check out our Interactive Apple Book in our Teachers Pay Teachers Store!

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to read about our apple shake painting activity for toddlers and preschoolers. If you enjoyed this activity or found it useful, feel fee to share on social media so others can find it too! If you have any questions or comments write them in the comments section below. Happy reading!