Marble Painting
A ball, some paint, and a box you tilt. The picture makes itself.
- Ages
- 3–9 yrs
- Play
- 10–25 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Mess
- messy
- Energy
- lively
- Where
- at the table
You’ll need
Mostly things you probably have at home.
- a box or rimmed tray
- washable paintGet it on Amazon
- paperGet it on Amazon
- a marble or small ballGet it on Amazon
Optional
- a spoon to lift the ball out
How to play
Before you start: Line the bottom of the box with paper. Put blobs of two or three colors on it.
Drop the ball in.
Hold the box with both hands and tilt it so the ball rolls through the paint.
Keep tilting. The tracks build into a pattern nobody designed.
Lift the ball out with a spoon when the paper is full.
Take the paper out to dry and start another with different colors.
What it helps with
Keep it safe
- Marbles are a choking hazard — use a larger ball for under-5s and count it back in.
Make it different next time
- Use two balls of different sizes.
- Try a golf ball, then a marble, and compare the lines.
Cleanup: The box contains almost everything. Wash the ball straight away.
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- water
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