Provide old playing cards in different sizes. The only other material needed for this art experience is clear tape. Let preschoolers tape the cards together to build 3D things or to arrange the cards in a flat pattern.
Paint sample cards, about 1 1/2 by 3 inches, are available at home improvement stores. Obtain a variety of sample cards in different colors. Cut the cards in half to make squares. Preschoolers can squeeze glue onto a piece of paper, then arrange the colorful cards in any pattern they choose.
Pour different colors of tempera paints into shallow containers. Let preschoolers choose from a variety of background papers, such as wallpaper sample pages, brown or white shopping bag paper, pieces of colorful poster board and other sturdy materials. Offer several circular items to use for circle print painting. Plastic bottles with different sizes of openings, cardboard tubes, paper cups and round cookie cutters are some possibilities.
Have the kids dip their choice of items into paint, then press the circles onto their background paper. Different sizes and colors of circles will create a design or an object the child has imagined.
Preschoolers can create designs by pushing pretzel sticks into large marshmallows. The marshmallows act as connectors, and several pretzel sticks can be pushed into each one to make corners or spaceship type designs. Allow the kids to build and eat an art project, then make more if they want. Send some of the creations home for each child.
Cover a table with plastic. Give each child a large piece of sturdy paper to paint on.
Have each child put on two old mittens or gloves. Preschoolers can squeeze tempera paints onto their paper, then use the mittens rub the paint around. Add more paints, some white glue or some sand to the wet paint for the children to rub into the web paint for an interesting design.
Set out a stack of paper plates, scissors, glue, crayons, markers and a variety of art materials for the preschoolers to glue onto the plates. Kids can fold or cut the plates as they wish, color and glue on craft materials to create anything they choose. If time, let the kids make more than one project, or keep these materials in the art center.
Let preschoolers mix oatmeal or corn meal into peanut butter (or soy butter) to the consistency of craft dough. Kids can play with the dough, then place in a plastic bag to save for another day.