Finger Painting Sensory Activity

Looking for a fun activity to work on sensory tolerance? Try this tree finger painting activity

Supplies

• Tree trunk printable, you could also draw one on some paper

• Finger paint, in leaf colors if you prefer or child selected colors (wouldn’t a blue, pink, and purple tree be so cool!)

Instructions

Start by printing or drawing a tree trunk on some paper

Bring out finger paint pots or pour some finger paint onto a palette

Have your child dip their finger into the finger paint and dot leaves onto their tree trunk

Tips for Success

• Sit with your child and model by painting your own tree

• Use neutral or positive language and try not to refer to the feeling of the paint with any negative words such as “gross”

• Affirm and or reframe your child’s observations around the paint. For example, your child says “Ew this is so squishy and gross!” You could try “Yeah it is so squishy. It feels cold on my finger too. I wonder what it will look like on my paper when I try to make a leaf. Should we try together?”

Modifications

• Q-tip, cotton ball, or sponge dipped in the paint

• Regular paintbrush, could offer a variety of sizes for difference in leaves

• Finger paint brushes, these will get your fingers a bit closer to the paint without having to touch it

• Thin disposable glove, this offers the “protection” of not having your hands touch the paint while still allowing minimal - moderate sensory experience.

This and 140 activities are available in our home exercise program “Young Children’s Activity Calendar”