DIY Sensory Bubblewrap Roller Painting – With Tips to modify for SPD children.

This week we are sharing a favourite sensory activity from our outdoor weekend play…… sensory bubblewrap roller painting!

We recently received a parcel that also contained this fantastic bit of packaging….think I was more excited with the packaging possibilities than the actual crafting goodies I had ordered! It was simply a cardboard roll with a little bubblewrap around it.

DIY Sensory Bubblewrap Roller Painting - Tips to modify for SPD children included

We were all still a little under the weather with the Winter ills on the weekend but the sunshine was glorious so I set up this easy activity on a patch of grass (yes, we do actually have SOME in the yard thank goodness!).

I turned over the girls paddling pool to use as a low table (so weary little legs didn't have to stand!) set out some leftover paint from the day before, a few brushes, a large sheet of cardboard packaging brought home from Daddy's work and left them to it to explore!

Tara was in painting heaven and couldn't wait to cover all the bubbles and then get rolling….

There was lots of opportunity for discussion about the beautiful patterns the bubble rollers were making!

My sensory sensitive twin Ruby found it harder to get involved in the activity. The wet paint on the bubble wrap proved to be a real challenge for her tactile system and although she did paint a little of the wrap and do a few rolls she soon asked for me to take off the wrap….she just really wanted the cardboard cylinder.

She did enjoy turning the wrap over and flattening it to make a pattern on the cardboard though…this way the paint and bubbles weren't in contact with her fingers as she smoothed it down.

Meanwhile, Tara could not get enough and just kept using the brushes to add more paint and then keep rolling to make different patterns. Kept her so busy which allowed me a little more time to spend with Ruby as she struggled with the sensory inputs.

I helped her to pull off the wrap and then she used one of the shaving brushes (which she finds easier with her current grip) to paint her roll. It's important to challenge our SPD learners but we also need to allow them to direct their own play and feel comfortable about the way they feel is ‘safest' for them to be engaged.

Once that paper was off Ruby was very serious about covering her roll with paint…love how she stood back to check out the job as she went along!

She showed me that she could make patterns too without having the bubble wrap on and was so pleased with her efforts!

Tara just kept adding more paint and rolling….you'd be surprised how much paint a 3 yr old can use on such a small space!

Before using the cylinders I had added some bubblewrap to the ends and taped so that the rolls could be used in a different way.

Tara finally discovered this and began stamping all over the place…she was very impressed with the circle prints she made!

Stamping allowed different hand muscles to be used than when painting with a brush and rolling so it was a lovely extension to the activity.

Such an easy activity that was easy to modify so that both girls could enjoy it. Moral of this story is always check out your packaging 😉

Sensory Bubblewrap Roller Painting - Tips to modify for SPD children included

Find more ideas like this for early learning and network with other early childhood educators from around the world in The Empowered Ed Community

A Little About Me

Jodie Clarke is an early childhood professional supporting educators who want and need to stay passionate about the work they do! She has 30 years hands-on experience in the early childhood and human services sectors across many different roles.

Jodie is mum to 3 in Australia and has already helped thousands of educators with their work through her popular blog posts, activity ideas, online training and e-books.

Comments

pinkokddy says
29/08/2013 at 7:44 pm
What a great idea and I love how you adapted it for your SPD twin. My SPD boy would be in hevean and am sure would be using the bubble wrap covered in paint to rub all over him. Off to pin.
Eva - The Multitasking Mummy says
02/09/2013 at 10:55 am
I’m off to ask my husband to bring these materials home tomorrow! Fab idea!
Be A Fun Mum says
02/09/2013 at 9:29 pm
Cool! I think this could work with doing our own wrapping paper!
Kate Gribble says
03/09/2013 at 11:22 am
We love large bubble wrap painting too. Yours looks like a glorious sunny day for painting outside 🙂 I seem to hoard bubble wrap just for painting 🙂
Lesley @ baby play says
04/09/2013 at 12:11 am
What a great collection of ideas this week and of course you know I love your bubble wrap idea.
katepickle says
04/09/2013 at 3:29 am
Ooh painting with bubble wrap is so fun, but it’s so lovely to see you following your girl’s lead and letting her explore in the way she feels most comfortable. What lucky kids they are to have you as their mum!
Rez P says
04/09/2013 at 11:58 am
Looks like awesome fun
I was going to suggest home made wrapping paper too 🙂
Jay @ Learning to play and playing to learn says
04/09/2013 at 12:07 pm
Oh who doesn’t love bubble wrap. Weird question, does it pop just as good after it is all painted? I am so scungie I would hate to ‘waste’ the bubble wrap and miss the popping ability
Danya atDanyaBanya says
05/09/2013 at 12:31 pm
Lots of messy play! And the upside down pit makes a great large table! I hadn’t thought of that.
Sharon says
05/09/2013 at 12:46 pm
What a great idea! It reminds me a little of the papers Eric Carle makes to use in his books.
Kate Lloyd says
06/09/2013 at 1:04 pm
Love this and have pinned it many times. Great work.
Bekka Joy says
07/09/2013 at 5:15 am
I really love the patterns that bubble wrap make… I’ve saved it many times… will have to get it out this week for Miss Daisy to explore! 🙂 And perhaps now that it’s so wonderful outside we’ll follow suit and paint outside so li’l Peppa can join in too!
Kate Grono says
07/09/2013 at 11:24 am
What a fun art idea. Printing is so much fun for kids, and it worked out well using a cardboard tube roller too.
Happy Whimsical Hearts says
07/09/2013 at 11:51 am
This is great, love using bubble wrap and have a pile of it waiting for inspiration! Thanks Jode! Pinning
Coombe Mill says
07/09/2013 at 1:22 pm
A lovely messy play activity with such simple resources! I can see they had a lot of fun exploring and being creative, thanks for sharing with Country Kids.
Cheryl says
07/09/2013 at 9:18 pm
I love finding different uses for packaging material. We’ve used bubble wrap for printing but I love your idea of combining it with a tube. Great fun!
Ness @ One Perfect Day says
08/09/2013 at 3:30 pm
Love bubble wrap! So many possibilities. Fab idea to add it to a tube for painting.
Deborah Alter-Rasche says
09/09/2013 at 12:05 am
Love bubble wrap printing and I really like the idea of using it as a roller like that. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky says
10/09/2013 at 12:15 am
Awesome fun! And great tips for kids with SPD. My Pebble isn’t diagnosed with SPD but I think she’s on the spectrum (if there is such a thing!).

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