This germ blow painting art is perfect for preschoolers when learning about sickness, the human body, and the immune system.
Today marks the first day of our new week-long series all about the human body.
To start out this new series, we’re going straight to germs and making them a little more kid-friendly with this cute and fun art activity.
This art project is so much fun for kids because they’re making the germ art by painting with straws!
Read on below or watch the video to see how to make this art with your kids or students.
Cute Painting Idea For Kids
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Blow Paint Art Supplies
- Liquid watercolor paint
- Paintbrush
- Straws
- Thick White Paper
- Construction Paper
- Black Marker
- Glue Stick
If you’re learning all about germs, you’ll love these free printable germ worksheets for kids to work on!
Germ Art Directions:
Pour your liquid watercolors into an art palette or paint cups.
Use a paintbrush to add a small puddle of paint onto the paper.
Place the straw about an inch away from the puddle. Use the straw to blow the paint blobs around in all directions.
Try blowing down directly onto the puddle, blowing from the left and blowing from the right. See how many different shapes you can make with the watercolors.
Repeat this step with each of the colors.
Let the paint dry completely (ours took about 15 minutes; if you need these done quick, you can use a blowdryer as well).
Cut circles from the white paper and glue them onto the blow paint germs.
Use a black marker to draw the eyes onto the germs.
With the black marker, draw lines coming out from the center of each germ. Paint small circles at the ends of these lines with a coordinating paint color.
Glue the white paper onto a piece of colored construction paper to finish it off.
That’s all there is to it!
Now you can have fun at home making all sorts of germy artwork and best of all, there’s no need to worry about getting sick from these little germs!
Blow Art Painting Tips
We recommend you try this activity out yourself before you do it with your children or students.
It sounds a bit silly, but depending on the paper you use, the paint can be hard to spread around.
If you use paper that is too light, it will become wrinkled. If you use paper that has too much of a tooth (it’s thicker and has more texture to it) the paint gets really hard to blow around with the straws.
We ended up using this art paper for kids but we just recommend trying what you have on hand first.
Another thing you want to be considered is your liquid watercolor choice. Please, please be sure you buy a washable watercolor paint, like this one.
This art project can get messy if kids use too much paint!
Once they start blowing the paint around you can be pretty sure some of it will fall off the side of the paper and onto whatever surface you’re working on.
To keep it clean, you can use a drop cloth on the table, do it outside or just make sure it’s a hard surface that you can clean up afterward.
We’ve had zero problems with the liquid watercolors coming off of hands, tables, and clothes but it’s something to consider.
More Human Body Unit Ideas
We’ve got lots of other resources that will help kids learn about germs and the human body! Check them out and see which will fit best with your children.
Kid’s Books About The Body
Reading children’s books to kids is often times associated with bedtime stories and a way for parents to bond with their children.
However, there are many reasons beyond that why reading children’s books to kids is great. It can help with their imagination, it can teach them new words, and it can give them a love for reading. All of these reasons are important for children to have as they grow up!
Try adding in some of these children’s books for lots of benefits:
Germs vs. Soap is a book about the secret world of germs and their quest to take everyone’s “energy cupcakes” but only if soap doesn’t get in the way…otherwise it’s all down the drain for them.
Do Not Lick This Book is a fun way to teach kids about the microscopic world that lives on everyday objects!
For very young kids who don’t know what germs are, we recommend the book, Germs Aren’t For Sharing. It doesn’t go into great detail about germs, but it helps teach kids the basics and how to have good personal hygiene.
Human Body & Germ Crafts
There are so many reasons why parents should encourage their kids to craft! For one, crafting is a great way to express creativity and imagination. It can also be a fun and relaxing activity that can help reduce stress. Additionally, crafting can help improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination!
Try some of these fun craft ideas:
X-Ray Handprint Craft – This x-ray craft is not only easy, but it’s also great for practicing scissor skills! All you need is some black and white construction paper, glue, and scissors.
5 Senses For Kids Puppets – Have the kids make their own DIY five senses for kids puppets with this easy printable craft! Just print out the templates, color them in, and glue them to popsicle sticks. Then you can use them to teach your little ones all about the five senses. Not only are they fun to make, but they’re also educational!
Lung Craft For Preschoolers – Not only is this craft a great way to help little ones practice their scissor skills, but it’s also a great way to promote fine motor skills. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to talk about how important lungs are for our health!
More Fun Ideas
Teach kids more about the human body with these human body wooden puzzles. For a larger scale option, this felt human body is perfect! Put it up on the wall and let the kids explore!
Share With Us
Did you make this activity with your kids or students? We’d love to feature them on our social media!
For a chance to have your child’s project featured, simply snap a picture of the completed project and post it to our Facebook page, email it to us directly by clicking here, or use #simpleeverydaymom on your social media!
Germ Blow Painting Art With Straws
Kids will love to create this fun blow painting art with straws! It's great when learning about germs!
Materials
- Liquid watercolor paint
- Thick White Paper
- Construction Paper
- Black Marker
- Glue Stick
Tools
- Paintbrush
- Straws
Instructions
- Pour your liquid watercolors into an art palette or paint cups.
- Use a paintbrush to add small blobs of paint onto the paper.
- Place the straw about an inch away from the puddle. Use the straw to blow the paint blobs around in all directions. Try blowing down directly onto the puddle, blowing from the left and blowing from the right. See how many different shapes you can make with the watercolors.
- Repeat this step with each of the colors.
- Let the paint dry completely.
- Cut circles from the white paper and glue them onto the blow paint germs.
- Use a black marker to draw the eyes onto the germs.
- With the black marker, draw lines coming out from the center of each germ. Paint small circles at the ends of these lines with a coordinating paint color.
- Glue the white paper onto a piece of colored construction paper to finish it off.
Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump and more. Read more.
Glenda
Thursday 5th of January 2023
This looks like something I can let my year old and two year old kids do. They will love it.
Shan
Saturday 13th of August 2022
Thanks
Sam
Monday 15th of August 2022
You're welcome!
Fre
Wednesday 1st of June 2022
I love all your ideas. It is really amazing and helpful thanks for sharing.
Sam
Friday 3rd of June 2022
Thank you so much for your kind words!
marisa
Thursday 23rd of July 2020
bellissima idea, usando i materiali di sempre ma cambiando tecnica, è molto più divertente
Sam T
Monday 27th of July 2020
Thanks :)
Barry S Brunswick
Sunday 4th of August 2019
This looks like fun! And so easy for the kids.
Sam T
Monday 5th of August 2019
Thanks! Yes, my kids loved it!