The first two weeks of October in our toddler classroom is all about apples. We do apple color sorting at the light table, stamp apples into playdough, play in our apple orchard, and make apple muffins. Since the focus is on red, yellow and green (the colors of apples), and our students really enjoy creating collages, I put together a super simple fall art idea that involves squeezing glue. Of course, allowing them to squeeze the glue onto the paper is probably the biggest hit! But they love it so much, so of course I continue to offer it! Some collages we have done:
Pumpkin Collage Gingerbread Man Collage Winter Collage Valentine’s Day Collage
Squeezing glue is something I added a bit later, and I am so glad I did! Not only is it fun, but it’s a great way to strengthen fine motor skills! In fact, I talk about it in this video: Why Squeezing Glue is So Important If you have not yet introduced squeezing glue, I highly suggest watching the above video as I share some tips!
Toddler Apple Colors Collage
The supply list for this activity is simple, but can vary depending on what you have on hand. I wanted to feature red, yellow and green, so I used paper scraps. But you can add anything you want that are these colors. Making collages is a great way to use leftover scraps from other activities!
Supplies We Used
Red, yellow and green paper scraps 8.5″ x 11″ white cardstock paper Bottles of white glue
We did an apple sorting activity at circle time, similar to what was on the light table. (I discuss in that post how we extended it to our circle time area.) You can also invite your children to bring an apple to school, identify its color, and have a taste test.
Setting Up This Collage Activity
I like to use trays at our art table to help contain all the glue drips, because yes, toddlers will squeeze the glue off of the paper now and then. Place a sheet of white paper on each tray along with a small container of the collage pieces and a bottle of white glue. Watch: How I Manage the Art Center
It’s Time to Create!
If your children are new to squeezing glue, show them how to make the glue “dance” around the paper. Toddlers tend to squeeze in the same spot, so by showing them how to move the bottle around (“dance”), they are learning to cover the surface of the paper. (Mentioned in my Glue Squeezing video.) Once the glue has been applied, it’s time to add the pieces!
More Apple Activities
Way Up High in the Apple Tree Paint and Wash Apple Activity Two-Ingredient Apple Art
They also might want to peel off what they’ve stuck on the glue. This is normal and their way of exploring. I’ve had some pages that ended up only having glue on them because all of the pieces were pulled off and the children didn’t want to stick them on. I let it be. Usually the next time they make a collage they realize they’d rather leave the pieces on. Again, what’s most important is the process! Some might layer the pieces! It’s their work and I honor how different they all look. Simple and fun!
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