Activity: Painted Coffee Filters

  • Date: 2/9/2012, by Department of Workforce Services
  • Age Group(s): Preschool
  • Estimated Duration: 5 minutes
  • Development Areas: Cognitive Development, Motor Skills
  • Materials Needed: Several paper coffee filters; Newsprint; Assorted non-permanent markers; Spray bottle filled with water; Yarn, string or dental floss; and Child safe scissors, optional.
  • Related Articles: How to Support Your Preschooler’s Social Emotional Development
Winter’s end is in sight, but to help you get through these last few months, encourage your toddler to paint some coffee filters in spring colors. First, protect the flat surface (table or floor) by covering it with newsprint. Next place a coffee filter on the newsprint and encourage your child to draw a design on the filter using non-permanent markers. Now, help him lightly spray the filter with water. Talk about the colors, especially when two colors mix to make a new color. After the filter dries, hang it using yarn, string or dental floss. You can also help your preschooler cut out seasonal shapes, such as snowflakes, hearts and kites, or almost seasonal shapes, such as flowers and butterflies!