Trying out new preschool art projects is something my students always seem to enjoy! Recently, I wanted to try something different. Ideally, it would encourage the children to think outside the box when it came to art tools. That line of thinking reminded me of My Nearest and Dearest’s amazing painting machine. Since the toy tools were being used in another classroom, I focused in on other “tools” for the children to use. That’s when I saw the toy gears!
Trying out new preschool art projects with gears and paint!
My boys and girls adore building and creating with the toy gears already. They’re also used to my “creative license” when it comes to their preschool art projects! So I knew they wouldn’t bat an eye at using gears to paint.
Materials Used (affiliate links)
Toy gears – 1 of each color
Paint brushes
Poster putty
Tempera paint – to match each color gear
White construction paper
Set Up
1. I used poster putty to attach the ends of the paintbrushes to the gears.
2. Then I poured a bit of each color paint into bowls.
3. I placed the gears next to the appropriate colors, with the construction paper to the side.
How the Kids Painted
As usual, I had an audience as I was setting up this activity! I love that the students are so into trying out new art experiences. 🙂 I didn’t give the kiddos any particular direction as they sat down to paint with the gears. Some of the children decided to create rainbows with the gears. One of my girls was very particular about where she placed her painted gears.
Others just enjoyed painting with all of the colors all over the paper. Some were more focused on just one or two colors, stamping the gears over and over on the paper. A few twirled the gears around to paint, but not nearly as many as I expected!
Still more kids decided they’d rather use the paintbrush attached to the gears. They painted with the brushes, then flipped the paintbrush and painted with the gears. A few only used the paintbrushes, eschewing the gears entirely.
One of my girls was so excited to create a letter using the gears! It was near my birthday, so she painted an M for my first name. I admit I was pretty tickled by it as well!
Early Learning Skills
Preschool art projects, such as this one, allow children to touch on a variety of important skills. Remember, young children learn through playing and creating and exploring! Below are some items my kiddos worked on while painting with gears:
- Fine motor skills
- Colors
- Patterns
- Creativity
- Language skills
- Letters
Do you have any fun preschool art projects to share – especially process-based art experiences? I would love to hear about them in the comments below!
Emma says
February 20, 2014 at 12:54 amI love finding unique things to paint with and gears is one I haven’t heard of. I’m surprised more kids didn’t use the twirl method – that’s the first way I thought of. And so sweet of that little girl to make a letter for you with the gears – she must have been so proud!
Mary Catherine says
February 25, 2014 at 3:59 pmYes, Emma, I thought the swirling method would be something they’d try right away! I just love watching as they explore things like this. And, yes, my little girl who created the M was soooooo proud of it. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words!
Samantha @ Stir the Wonder says
February 20, 2014 at 1:39 pmGreat idea to stick the ends of the paint brushed in the gears! When we did this my son wasn’t too fond of getting paint on his fingers and therefore didn’t paint very long! I think we will have to try it again using your idea!
Mary Catherine says
February 25, 2014 at 4:00 pmThanks, Samantha! I am a messy person, myself, so I knew I would make a mess if it didn’t have the paintbrushes attached. I think it added a different dimension to it for the kids, especially those who didn’t want to just paint using the gears. Let me know if you and your son try it out anytime soon! 🙂
Cindy says
February 25, 2014 at 11:34 amwhere did you get the gears, please?
Mary Catherine says
February 25, 2014 at 3:35 pmHi Cindy! We have the gears on-hand in our school workroom. I’ve seen them at local toy stores, chain stores, and teacher resource stores.
They can also be purchased through Amazon (affiliate links included here) — a smaller set or a larger set.
Mary Catherine says
February 25, 2014 at 3:39 pmYou can also find them through Discount School Supply (more affiliate links) —
, 
, and 
Gears! Gears! Gears! – 95 Piece Set
Gears! Gears! Gears! Lights and Action Set – 121 Pieces
Gears! Gears! Gears! – 150 Piece Set
Goitseone Dikeme says
February 25, 2014 at 1:57 pmThey are nice but where can i find gear toys in Botswana
Mary Catherine says
February 25, 2014 at 3:42 pmHonestly, I’m unsure as to where you can find these beads near Botswana. Do you order via Amazon? If so, the links above should work for you. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help, but perhaps some of my other readers will be able to point us both in the right direction! Additionally, perhaps just checking local stores or find some other items that you’re comfortable using with the kiddos as different painting tools. Thanks so much for popping by!
Karen says
February 26, 2014 at 4:47 amHi I work in a pre-school and nursery this has given me an idea for the children to print spring flowers thanks for your amazing blogs keep them coming we all love them ( my email should be lower case)
Karen Jones
Chester England
MKS says
December 16, 2015 at 11:15 amWith my class of 4s and 5s I do a lot with tissue paper. I color glue (water it down some), provide paint brushes, and scraps of white tissue paper and allow them to create.
Mary Catherine says
July 23, 2016 at 6:17 pmLove that!