A bubble wrap painting is a fun, messy and easy craft idea for toddlers. An ink brayer or paint roller glides across the bubble wrap leaving a myriad of colors in its wake. Acrylic craft paint or block printing inks are recommended as both wash off little hands easily. Allow the project to dry and use as a classroom wall hanging or gift to be displayed at home.
Make an ocean scene with bubble wrap as a reading extension activity. Children can paint the bubble wrap blue with acrylic craft paint or markers and then decorate the dried plastic with other objects. You can draw fish, mammals and aquatic plants for children to color or use craft glue to adhere ocean themed items to the artwork.
Decorating Easter eggs is a common springtime classroom activity. The task can be tedious with toddler or preschool children who will need a lost of assistance. Simplify the project by having the children paint strips of bubble wrap with acrylic craft paint and rolling the eggs across the plastic. If children want to roll their eggs on more than one painted sheet, allow it to dry for five minutes in between rolling so the paint does not smear.
Help the youngsters make their own wrapping paper for Christmas gifts. The children can cover gifts purchased at the child care center or preschool holiday bazaar or made with their own little hands in the classroom. Give children a piece of butcher paper and bubble wrap cut to the same size. Paint the wrap with acrylic craft paint or water colors and press it firmly onto the butcher paper. Pull the wrap off carefully and allow to dry before using as wrapping paper.
Bring a ocean or jellyfish themed story to life by making a no-sew costume from bubble wrap. Use an umbrella painted while with latex or acrylic paint as the costume form. Cut approximately 22 bubble wrap strips into 5 inch wide and 22 inch long sections. Staple them to the bottom of the umbrella to hang freely as tentacles. Children can "get inside" the costume and walk about the room holding the umbrella handle and watching the plastic tentacles flow.