A lot of times when I do art projects with 3-5 year olds I have a pretty clear plan and I hope that the kids enjoy the direction we take and can add to it as we go. Other times I really have no idea what we’re going to do. Those tend to be my favorite projects. I rely on my instincts, listen to the kids around me and play with the materials in front of us. Tire painting is one of those instances. I saw a tire, I thought it could be a whole lot prettier, and plopped it on the table. Turns out the kids totally agreed so we painted it. I think taking risks and letting go of the outcome may be the true essence of art, and that’s why I work so hard to offer experiences like this to young children. Art is everywhere, and often the most exciting art is where you least expect it. Picking up this tire allowed us to reinvent the ideas of a tire and how we can use it. It gave us the chance to break the rules, experience different textures, and have some really fun conversation. Stay tuned to see what we are going to do with this tire after our painting is complete!
What would you do with a painted tire??
Maybe a swing?
How about a trampoline?
*NOTE*
We used tempera paints and chalk on this tire. It will need a varnish to maintain it’s color and resist the weather. I will follow up with what we use in the next few weeks as we do it. Open to suggestions! (See, I often really have no plan.)
Stay tuned to find out how we reinvent this wheel!
How about planting inside to make an up-cycled mini garden with herbs or maybe sunflowers! 🙂
Love love love that idea!! Sunflowers would be gorgeous too.
A tire, huh? I would have never thought of it, but what fun and freedom to experiment with. I wonder what my grandkids will say when MiMi brings out a tire to paint.
It will definitely spark a lot of conversation and a lot of giggles and maybe a little…”I think MiMi has gone cookoo.” : )
I would put some good soil and a bunch of zinnia seeds, regular in the center and the shorter variety all around the outer part of your circle.
I love zinnias. Great idea!
I was thinking that before using the finished painted tire as a planter or in any other wonderful project, you could use the painted tread (the part that comes in contact with the road) to make large prints on canvas or paper. Roll the painted tire on the surface and finish the work with more printing, mark-making, painting, etc. I think the kids would have lots of fun 😀
That is a fantastic idea!!! We will go for it! Thanks so much!
I love that you like it, thank *you*! It would be great fun to watch a video of the kids rolling the tire on the paper 😀
yes!!!!! I’m really going to give it a try. Thank you so much!