Place a sheet of paper in a rectangular pan with raised edges to keep paint and painting objects off the table.
Mix the paint with a few drops of water to thin it. This way the paint spreads more easily across the paper.
Pour a few drops of paints onto preschoolers' papers scattered in different spots over the paper or all in one place as they wish.
Give each preschooler a straw and a marble.
Blow through the straw toward the paint on the paper to gently move the paint around creating interesting color patterns and mixtures. Mark each straw with the preschoolers' names or initials to avoid sharing germs.
Place the marble onto the paper, adding more paint if necessary.
Tilt the tray back and forth to move the marble and drag paint across the paper.
Pour paint onto a plate or paint tray for each child or group of preschoolers.
Give preschoolers feathers, toothpicks and twigs to dip into the paint and use to paint their picture. Add to the straw and marble paint or start with a clean piece of paper. Discuss the different textures and designs made by each object.
Let paint dry while washing preschoolers' hands and work surfaces.