Kids Art Ideas: Tabletop Monoprinting

Monoprinting is a form of printmaking where only a single image can be printed, unlike most printmaking techniques that allow you to make multiple prints of the same image. And tabletop monoprinting has to be one of the all time favourite art making techniques in our home. It’s simple to do, uses just a few art making materials and can be enjoyed by children of all ages – the complexity of the images will simply change depending upon the age of the child.

KIDS ART IDEAS: Tabletop monoprinting

How to Make Tabletop Monoprints

You will need:

  • Child friendly acrylic paint
  • A glass or laminate tabletop. Or a large, smooth placemat or cookie/biscuit baking tray
  • Large sheets of painting paper

KIDS ART IDEAS: Tabletop monoprinting

To make your monoprint, begin by spreading your paint across your table or alternative printmaking surface. Spread it with your hands, making it nice and smooth.

KIDS ART IDEAS: Tabletop monoprinting

Then draw the image that you would like to print with your finger. You can draw anything that you like – shapes, pictures, ideas. In fact, it’s a technique that you can use in the classroom with pretty much any theme that you are exploring.

KIDS ART IDEAS: Tabletop monoprinting

Work quickly so that the paint doesn’t dry and once your image is ready to print, place a piece of paper over the painted surface and smooth it down with your hands. Then lift off your print for the magic reveal!

KIDS ART IDEAS: Tabletop monoprinting

Once you’ve taken your print, add a little more paint, smooth your surface over again and start making another print! You’ll have a fun collection to hang before you know it!

Have you tried tabletop monoprinting?

For more fun ideas for exploring art processes with young children, check out my award winning book, Time to Create.

Time to Create book