Cover your work surface with a layer or two of newspaper. Give the children a smock or apron to protect their clothing.
Pour multiple colors of tempera paints into small plastic cups. If you have a large number of children participating, provide multiple cups of each color.
Put multiple foam paintbrushes next to each cup of paint. Small foam paintbrushes are easy for even young children to use.
Place a potting container in front of each child. Smaller potting containers are ideal for young children.
Explain to the children, before beginning the project, that the potting container can break if it is dropped.
Write each child's name or initials on the bottom of the containers with a permanent marker.
Allow the painted potting containers to dry on a counter for several hours after the children have finished painting their designs.