Fall is the perfect time to explore apples and we love to include them at the art table. We’ve enjoyed creating apple suncatchers (they look so colorful in our window!), making apple prints using bubble wrap (rolling paint is always a favorite), and making three dimensional apple trees to display on our classroom shelf. Our students then bring apples from home so we can compare their colors and cut them to make applesauce!
Painting with apples is always fun! For this particular activity you can use pretend apples (we borrowed ours from our apple stand dramatic play activity) or real apples. Your choice! This is a two step activity – painting and then washing – so your children will be busy and engaged for quite awhile!
Materials We Used for Painting
Whole apples (pretend, but you can use real ones) Tempera paint (we used red and green) Paint brushes Plain paper or our free apple printable Trays (to keep the apples from rolling away) Containers for paint
Tub filled with warm water A squirt of liquid soap Small brushes and/or sponges (we like to cut them into smaller pieces)
How To Set Up This Apple Painting Activity
Set out trays at each spot, adding a piece of paper on top of each one. Provide containers of paint, paint brushes, and apples.
We sang “Way Up High In the Apple Tree” using the apple tree prop from our Song & Rhymes Pack #2.
We then read some favorite apple books.
Painting With Apples
Our art activities are done at the art table, which is part of centers time. We set out 4-6 chairs and children can participate any time during centers. In fact, it’s not uncommon for our toddlers to paint, then go do something else, and return to paint some more. Perhaps several times!
They were used to 3-dimensional art from when we painted our farm animals the week before during our farm theme. When your children start this activity, you might need to demonstrate how to brush the paint on the apple, but it should be pretty easy to understand.
There is no right or wrong way.
However, children quickly realize that when the apple rolls around the paper, paint tracks are made! Using plain paper:
Using apple printable:
We filled the deep wells of our Activity Table with water and provided small scrub brushes and sponges that were cut into smaller pieces. As your children are finished painting their apples (and making tracks on paper), they can then carefully take them over to the bin of water.
Water table activities can also be a nice calming activity, especially for energetic children.
You could always take it outside, too! When finished, invite your children to dry them using a towel. We then tossed ours into the apple basket that was part of our dramatic play area.
Hold Apple Props. Sing “Way Up High In the Apple Tree” (prop can be found in this packet). Math Count the apples on the tree (free printable). Count apples 1-10 (free printable). Cooking Baking: Easy Apple Muffins. Cooking: Easy Applesauce. Color Recognition Compare colors of apples brought from home (free printable). Dramatic Play Put together an apple stand. Sensory Bin Explore dyed rice and apples. Art Apple Stamping Puffy Paint Prints Apple Trees Apple Suncatchers Easy to follow activities that include modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners. Note: This is a digital product. That means when you make a purchase, you will be emailed a link to the activities. For more information, click on the graphics below:
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