Simple Straw Painting For Kids Inspired by Jackson Pollock
Kids absolutely love watching paint dance on their art! Here is a classic straw painting art project for kids that is sure to bring a smile. Get all our tips for creating stunning straw art with toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged artists.
This art project tutorial has been a long-time favorite among readers since its publication in August 2022. This post was recently updated in September 2025 with clearer and more concise instructions, as well as my key takeaways.
I enjoy working on this project at the end of the school year, when you need a fun and engaging one-day art lesson. Every time I’ve done this fun watercolor project, kids of all ages and abilities have loved it! I am always so happy that they felt proud of what they had created.
Why You Will Love This Process Art
Notes On Supplies You’ll Need
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You can get the full list of supplies in the printable how-to card at the end of the post.
Resources To Teach About Jackson Pollock
I always strive to incorporate an art history element into my lessons and projects. This project is super easy to do that with!
- ART WITH MATI & DADA VIDEO – Elementary students love these quick cartoons about famous artists. My only complaint is that I wish they made more of these and covered a more diverse group of artists.
- READ THIS BOOK ABOUT POLLOCK – Younger children may need a condensed version of the book while discussing the illustrations.
After discussing Jackson Pollock’s artwork, my preschool-aged children were very excited to create a Pollock-inspired art project.
ART TEACHER TIP – Make sure you do this project when you can handle a little extra mess. If you’re working on this project at home, using a baking sheet or working outside will make cleanup easier.
Tip For Transfer Watercolor Paint Using A Straw
This is probably the trickiest part for some children. However, this picture shows my preschool-aged daughter doing this!
- PLACE IN CUP – Place the straw in the watercolor paint and then use their fingers to cover the top of the straw.
- HOLD FINGER – Hold their finger on the top and bring the straw over their paper.
- RELEASE FINGER – Once the child releases their finger, the paint will come out of the other end onto the paper.
TOO HARD? NO PROBLEM – Young children can always use these pipettes to help transfer the paint. These are great art and science supply to always have on hand for all of your creative projects with kids.
Straw Painting Tutorial For Kids
Step 1: Transfer Paint To The Paper
Whether with a pipette or just using a straw drop a small watercolor dot on the paper.
Step 2: Blow The Paint
My young son was so happy to use a straw to blow around the liquid watercolor.
Step 3: Repeat With New Colors
Once the drop has been absorbed into the paper, they should get another drop of color.
Step 4: Let The Paintings Dry
Once children are happy with their paintings, leave them flat to dry.
As you can see, my preschool-aged children created some amazing Jackson Pollock-inspired paintings!
ART TEACHER TIP – Remind children to take breaks from blowing through the straw. We never want anyone to pass out from being too into their painting.
Optional Step
If you want students to use an extra-fine tip Sharpie to outline the lines around the paintings, or even add extra doodles. This would be done once the paintings dry and with older children.
Tips For Success
- CHOOSE COLORS WISELY – Only give children watercolor paint colors that will mix well together.
- ONLY USE ONE END OF THE STRAW – Really emphasize to children that one end of the straw is for dipping in the paint and the other is for their mouth! You do not want to get those mixed up, or you will see your own children with watercolor paint lipstick!
- EXPERIMENT– Encourage kids to experiment, but also drop the paint in the white areas on the paper.
- MOVE THE PAINT – It is okay if students blow the paint off the paper (hence why you may want to cover your tables). The abstract paintings that do this tend to be more successful.
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Straw Painting FAQs
If children are having a hard time blowing the paint around, have them hold the paper up also to help the paint drip around their paper. They can also draw with their straws.
As long as the paint (such as tempera paint) is diluted enough, it should work.
Our Favorite
Art Ideas For Young Artists
Sometimes young children can struggle to create artworks that they are proud of. However, this is such a fun, easy, and exciting art project for kids. All children will want to show off their Jackson Pollock-inspired abstract paintings.
Do you like this art project? Please give us 5 stars below 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 and have fun being creative with your family.
Abstract Straw Painting For Kids
Equipment
- Straw
- Small Container
- Pipette optional
Supplies
- Heavy White Drawing Paper or watercolor paper
- Liquid Watercolors use colors that will mix well together
Instructions
- Press your finger on top of straw while in the liquid watercolor paint.
- Dab on the paper and begin to blow through the straw.
- Continue to get more paint by pressing finger and blowin it around.
- Use different colors.
- Let dry.
