DIY goodie bags for a Pollock-inspired kid’s art party
By: Rebecca Pitts
The goody bag is a staple of any child’s birthday party. We’ve all had our kiddos return home, post-party, with a baggy of plastic trinkets that break upon first use.
And then there’s the candy. Every parent has endured the ‘exciting’ experience of watching their child plow through a handful of goodies after mainlining juice and cake for the afternoon.
Not judging—I’ve done it. It’s easy and well… the kids love it. (Until the sugar-fueled tears arrive, that is.)
This year, I thought my 4-year-old and I would try something along the lines of her party’s theme: art-making. With a little bit of fabric paint, my daughter decorated ten linen bags for each of her friends by dripping a rainbow of goopy paint on each tote. (I can’t resist mentioning the nod to Pollock here, but my preschooler didn’t seem to care a whit about that.)
Once the bags dried, we stuffed them with some of her favorite art supplies and tools. Best part? Nobody missed the bubble gum.
What to get:
What to do:
This DIY is about as easy as it gets:
1. Line the floor or a table with a drop cloth.
2. Have your young artist choose one color of paint at a time. They can either stand over the bags on the floor or on a chair next to the table.
3. Swap out the bags before the paint becomes a massive blob.
4. Repeat with each color.
5. Dry for 1-2 days, so be sure to do this a few days before the party.
6. Stuff each bag with assorted art supplies. We love using real art supplies, so a good trick here is to buy one or two boxes of the good stuff and break it up. We chose washi tape, markers, cray-pas, and blank notebooks.
The idea, of course, is to have fun. Choose a good time for your child—when they are rested, fed, and up for something new. If you’re curious, here are some thoughts about art-making with children along with a list of our favorite art supplies.
About Rebecca:
Rebecca Pitts is a writer and children’s products designer. Join her list here or visit her online home at rebeccaapitts.com.
