This firework painting is a fun and engaging art project for kids to make! Kids will use an easy cardboard printing technique to make the fireworks in all different shapes and sizes. Using colorful paint on black paper really makes the colors stand out. Each painting will be unique!
Painting Fireworks
Painting Fireworks is a super easy and fun New Year’s Day Celebration activity – Creating Fireworks with Paint!
Using some of the left over cardboard rolls from the Christmas gift wrap, we created different length ‘firework’ fans for printing with paint. The print pattern created by the cardboard roll fans mimics that of fireworks brilliantly and children can create as many different size and coloured fireworks as they like.
What you will need?
You will need coloured paint (we have only chosen 4 colours), large sheets of paper and cardboard tubes.
Cut the cardboard tubes into different lengths as shown in the photo, to create different size firework prints.
Please note:
Do not place the cardboard tubs into the paint until you are ready to use them because after a while the cardboard strips become soft and will break off after they have been in the wet paint for some time.
The Fireworks Painting was inspired by reading the story The Night Before New Year’s written by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Amy Wummer. This is a fun story that you can read to children as an introduction to the theme activity.
Create your own firework painting
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you would like more information please review my privacy & disclosure policy.
Supplies
- Black drawing paper
- Acrylic paint
- Cardboard
- Paint palette
- Dotting tools (optional)
- Scissors
- Old toothbrush
Instructions for your fireworks art project
1. Get your paper, cardboard, and paints ready. You want to use stiffer cardboard (I cut up a cardboard box) and have some of the pieces slightly curved. This will give a nice firework shape as kids are printing.
Cut out different sizes of your cardboard, think about layering colors of fireworks so some pieces will need to be larger than others.
Have kids choose their paint colors and have them ready to go in a palette. You want to space out the colors to give lots of room for dipping the cardboard pieces in.
2. Take a piece of cardboard, dip it into the paint, and press it onto the black paper making a print. Do this several times to make a firework shape. Having a slightly curved piece of cardboard will help with this.
3. Think about layering on different colors for one firework. Use different sizes of cardboard to achieve this layered look. You could add a different color in the center or on the ends of the firework (or both!).
Once you are happy with how your firework looks, try using a dotting tool to dot on more color and design. If you don’t have a dotting tool, you can use the end of a paintbrush. Make sure to clean the dotting tool or paintbrush before switching colors.
4. Have kids think about different shapes of fireworks they can make. For the photo below, I used a straight piece of cardboard to create the yellow lines and then a smaller piece of curved cardboard for the white.
Layer on more colors and dots for a really fun colorful effect!
5. The same technique was used for the pink firework below. Larger pieces of cardboard for the pink lines and then smaller pieces for the yellow.
Use your dotting tool to add in some dots with another color.
6. Continue using cardboard pieces to print different firework designs and a dotting tool to add some detail until you are happy with how your painting looks.
7. To finish off your painting, you can splatter on white paint with an old toothbrush. Depending on the type of paint you have, you may need to thin it out a bit with some water.
Decide on a few areas you want to splatter, dip the toothbrush in and run your finger across the bristles to create a fine mist of white. This really adds a nice finishing touch to the painting and helps with the fireworks effect.
This firework painting is such a fun project for kids to create and explore. Using different pieces of cardboard, layering on colors, and adding in finishing details really makes each painting unique!
More painting ideas kids will love
Follow me on Pinterest for more amazing project ideas.
Pin this art project for later
Yield: 1 firework painting
Colorful Firework Painting for Kids to Make
This firework painting is a fun and engaging art project for kids to make! Use an easy cardboard printing technique and simple supplies.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Active Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
