This post may contain affiliate ads at no cost to you. See my disclosures for more information.
Tape resist watercolor painting is a very classic art project for young kids. My kids and I recently had the opportunity to create our own tape resist watercolor paintings following a multi-step process I outline below.
Note: For more art projects your kids will enjoy, see my Arts and Crafts for Kids page.
To make tape resist watercolor paintings, you will need the following supplies:
- Paper (we used watercolor paper, which is thicker than printer paper so it holds up better)
- Tape (we used painter’s tape because it peels off so easily)
- Watercolor paints (we used liquid watercolors)
- Paint brush
- Optional: Tray to contain the mess
The first step is to place tape on your paper. You can use the tape to make any design you want. The key is to remember that the areas under the tape will remain paint-free.
Once your tape is in place, use your watercolors to paint!
When you are finished painting, it’s time to let the paper dry.
Once the paint is dry, you can remove the tape from your paper. (Cross your fingers the tape pulls up easily without causing any rips!)
Then you can admire your tape resist watercolor painting!
Here is QBoy’s masterpiece.
And here is XGirl’s masterpiece.
Looking for more hands-on activities that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)? Then you’ll love STEAM Kids! This book features 52 hands-on activities are helpfully identified by category (science / technology / engineering / art / math) so you know exactly what skills your kids are developing.
Grab a copy of the e-book delivered as a PDF download (or this e-book for EU residents) and in print at Amazon.
More arts and crafts resources
Popular arts and crafts activities from Gift of Curiosity:
- Painting with strings
- Leaf collages
- Coffee filter chromatography art
- Crystallized snowflakes
- Seed medallions
- Trace the shapes art project
- Corn husk dolls
Note: For more kid-friendly craft projects, see my Arts and Crafts for Kids page and my Arts and Crafts Pinterest board.
Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Arts and crafts on Pinterest.
Can you use masking tape instead of painter’s tape?
I like painter’s tape because it comes off easily without creating damage to the paper. Masking tape may also work if it isn’t too sticky and will peel off easily.