Rainbow Name Tracing Art Activity

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This paint and foil name tracing art activity is a perfect art and literacy activity in one. Teaching children to learn to write their names is not an easy skill, and I try to find any clever way to help us sneak in more writing practice.

Why write your name when you could paint it? Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I see children who can write their names, but really have little to no interest and would rather do something else all day.

Name Tracing Art Activity

You’ll just need some simple materials for this name tracing activity. Nothing fancy. Aren’t the simplest projects the best?

Materials:

Aluminum Foil (or a mirror would work too)
Paint Brushes
Cotton swabs (also known as Q-Tips)
Paint

We decided to use foil for this activity because we have wanted to try that for a long time since we saw this art project with paint and foil on Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds.

But we also have done this with a mirror and it turns out just as awesome. Mirrors are best only if you have lots of mirrors or one child.

Step 1:

Paint the child’s name onto the aluminum foil. Just use a normal paintbrush and paint it on.

We chose white, but it could be another color. Do this a few hours before you actually plan to have the children trace their names. You’ll see why in step 2.

Step 2:

Let the paint dry! Planning ahead is super helpful.

We tried it both with wet and dry paint, and wet paint works in a pinch, but dry paint is definitely the way to go.

Step 3:

Set out the paints, and let the children start tracing their names with cotton swabs or paint brushes.

I love that the cotton swabs are the absolute perfect size for little hands.

They are small enough to help children have good fine motor control. Plus they are super fun and irresistible.

We just love using things other than plain old paintbrushes.

Keep in mind that foil crumples really easily!

I like to snap a photo of the project after we’ve finished so I can see the progress the child has made writing their name throughout the year.

But if you want to save this, you’ll need to put it in something such as a manila folder to keep it from getting ruined.

Keep the Name Learning Fun Going!

Are you working hard with your students on learning to read and write their name? Then this pack of editable name games from Playdough to Plato is a must-have!

It is a time-saving resource that is packed with 10 fun name games that are editable – meaning you just type in your student’s name and it loads into all of the games!

Put together name books, name puzzles, a name collage, use magnet letters, play dough, and so much more!

Grab these fun name games over on Playdough to Plato HERE

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Katie

Katie T. Christiansen is an early childhood educator of 14 years and mama to three sweet little ones. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and loves teaching children through play. You can follow Katie on Preschool Inspirations, and see more of what she shares on Pinterest and Instagram.