mrrichiecreates.com
LITTLE LESSON 16 · PRESCHOOL · TK · EARLY K
The Pumpkin Hiding in the Paint
Allow extra drying time for paint or glue. Children can pause and return.
Elements of Art focus: Shape & space. Reveal a shape by protecting space beneath it. Meet the seven art ideas →
Let’s wonder!
“What happens when we lift the shape we have been painting around?”
Our little purpose: Protect a pumpkin-shaped space while painting around its edge.
Gather a little magic
Paper, washable paint, sponge, a pumpkin-shaped cardboard mask, and simple shape stencils prepared by a grown-up.
For your grown-up: A grown-up cuts cardboard shapes. Dab close to the paper with small amounts of paint rather than flicking toward faces.
Make it yours
Wonder together · 2–3 min Try & make · 12–20 min Share & tidy · 3–6 min
- Place the pumpkin shape on your paper. Predict what will remain underneath.
- Hold it still and dab a little paint around its edges.
- Lift the cardboard to reveal your pumpkin space. Try another placement if you want a pumpkin patch.
- Use shape stencils or drawing to invent a face. How could you make it surprised, sleepy, or silly?
“I’ll show you how I did mine. Yours doesn’t have to look like mine.”
Look what you discovered
Ask: “What did you choose? What changed? What would you try next?”
Notice: The child predicts or notices the shape revealed when the mask lifts.
Listen, watch, or accept pointing and home-language responses. Notice the process, not resemblance to an example.
Every idea belongs
A little support: A grown-up holds the mask; offer a large dabbing tool.
A little more: Reposition the mask to make a patch and compare the spaces.
No supplies today? The child can make choices, predict, and direct a grown-up.
The learning underneath
California Preschool/TK Learning Foundations · Visual Arts: 1.5, 1.9. Kindergarten bridge · California Arts Standards: K.VA:Cr2.1.
These are planning connections selected for this activity, not a claim of mastery or state endorsement. The kindergarten code is an extension, not a preschool requirement. Read the code key and official California sources →
PLAY THIS ART ADVENTURE · 16
Lift the Hidden Pumpkin
Reveal a shape by protecting space beneath it.
Art ideas: Shape & space. One playful connection to this project.
Find this resource again: mrrichiecreates.com/lessons/pumpkin-stencil