Paint Chip Mosaics – an abstract art project for toddlers and preschoolers!
These paint chip mosaics were the perfect project for a day as grey and rainy as today .
This morning, I set out some cardboard, a few glue sticks and a tray of paint chips that I’d cut up into squares, rectangles and strips. For older children, I would have them cut their own paint chips. In fact, now that I think about it, I’ll do the same here next time we do this project. The Hooligans love cutting along the lines in between the paint colours. 
You can get paint chips, otherwise known as paint samples or paint swatches, anywhere that paint is sold. I generally grab a handful of samples every time I’m at the hardware store, but I always feel a little twinge of guilt knowing that I’m taking them to add to my craft stash, so I actually asked one time, at my local paint store, if they minded me taking some for my daycare kids to craft with, and the manager quite happily went to a drawer and grabbed about 20 unopened packages for me. Hey, it goes to show you, that it never hurts to ask!
The Hooligans, being as young as they are, had a great time with this activity, simply sticking their paint chips in random fashion all over their cardboard.
I worked on one of my own, using thin strips to make a frame, and gluing my paint chips in more of a mosaic pattern. Mine will give you an idea of something that an older child could create. This is definitely a project that suitable for all ages of children.
And it was a fun way to add a splash of colour to our dull and dreary morning.:)
If you’re looking for another mosaic art idea for little hands, check out our Meat Tray Mosaics. They were really fun to make too!
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. In 1997, Jackie stepped out of the corporate world to start a family and to open her own home daycare. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
Heather
I love this Jackie!! These would be great in a frame!
happyhooligans
Thanks, Heather! I was kind of thinking along the same lines! 🙂
raeann
so fun!! i love paint chips!
and, just want to thank you for your kind words on my blog. i feel lost alot, and it was nice to hear from someone that i’m exactly where i’m supposed to be.
have a great weekend!
happyhooligans
Thank you, Raeann. I’ve been there before. I like to think of this: When you’re driving down the high way, you have to keep your eyes focused on what’s ahead. If you keep your eyes on where you ARE at any particular moment, or what’s BEHIND you, then things can get messy. It’s the same with life, really. Keep your eyes on what’s ahead, and keep moving forward, girl. x
Kirsty@BowerbirdBlue
very cool, my daughter is going to love doing this.
happyhooligans
I hope she enjoys it, Kirsty! I loved it! I probably had as much fun making mine as the hooligans had making theirs!
Christa Fairbrother
LOVE this idea. I have a spinner of these chips that I can’t get rid of because you know how it is but couldn’t come up with the perfect idea. We’ll do this for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Ana
Great idea for using paint chips! And I love how they turned out!