Materials
Butcher paper
Scissors
Rubber worms, one per child
String cut in 12" (30 cm) lengths
Pencils or twigs
Small containers of paint in various colors
Small cups of water
Instructions
What to do
1. Beforehand, cut butcher paper into a shape that resembles a pond. Tie a worm on the end of a
string for each child and tie the string to a pencil or twig.
2. When you are ready to begin, lay the butcher paper on the floor and set the containers of paint
on top of the paper.
3. Gather the children around the fishing hole.
4. Invite them to dip the worm in a container of paint and make a design on the paper. Remind
the children to rinse the paint from the worm before they change colors.
5. Move the containers of paint around the circle periodically so the children can reach all the
colors.
More to do
Games: Design your own set of cards for a memory game; cut fish shapes in duplicate from
poster board in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Create a challenging set for older children,
requiring them to match more than one characteristic; as an example, the child would have to
locate two fish that are long and blue.
More art: Use the finished product as background for a mural. Supply sponges cut in the shape of
fish and frogs and invite the children to sponge paint as well. Cut matching fish shapes from
paper and staple them together, leaving one opening; stuff the fish with newspaper and decorate
them with paint or bits of fabric or tissue paper.
