# Dirt Painting and Finger Dot Painting
> Kids brush mud and dirt across a big sheet of paper, then add real paint on top. On a fresh sheet they paint with just a pointer finger to make bright dot paintings. It's simple outdoor process art where the fun matters more than a pretty result.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/of-dirt-and-dots/
- Ages: 3–6 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: high
- Time: prep 10 min, activity 30 min
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class
- Skills: sensory-exploration, fine-motor, process-art, creativity
- Cautions: ingestion-risk

## Materials (one batch)
- 2 sheet Large painting paper (roll or big sheets)
- Dirt or mud (household)
- Water (optional) (household)
- Bowls or cups for mud and paint (household)
- 1 piece Paintbrushes
- Kids' paint in a few colors

## Safety
- Supervise closely so kids don't put dirt or mud in their mouths.
- Use clean garden dirt from a spot free of pet waste, fertilizer, pesticides, glass or sharp bits.
- Use non-toxic, washable kids' paint for finger painting.
- Wash hands well after playing with dirt and paint.

## Steps
1. Spread a big sheet of painting paper on a table outside.
2. Plop a big blob of mud onto the paper.
3. Grab a brush and swish the mud and dirt all around the paper.
4. Add real paint and keep painting over and around the mud.
5. Lay out a fresh sheet of paper and set out a few paint colors.
6. Skip the brush: dip your pointer finger in paint and press dots all over the paper.
7. Keep switching colors until the paper is covered in dots.
8. Let both paintings dry and wash hands well.

## Tips
- All's fair in painting and playing. Painting doesn't have to be with "paint".
- Don't expect an oh-so-pretty dirt picture. What I got was a really dirty paper and an extremely happy kiddo.
- Even with lots of messy play, painting with dirt and a brush felt delightfully naughty. She had a quizzical, satisfied smile the whole time.
- I keep all my art supplies in the backyard, so switching to real paint when she asked was easy.
- Together with paint, the mud art did look good.

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2012)

I don't think so. All’s fair in painting and playing. Painting doesn’t have to be with “paint”. A big blob of mud was dumped on the painting paper by our own Big A. Big A: Blup! I’m gonna use mud to paint. Is it silly? Mom: Not really, I was anyway planning on roping you into the wonderful dirt painting activity. She gave me a blank stare and asked impatiently Big A: “Can I do it” I smiled and said “Sure have fun” Needless to say she had a ball of time. We surely didn’t end up with anything “oh- so pretty- I cant believe a 3.5 year old did this with dirt” What I got was a really dirty paper and an extremely happy kiddo. She had a great time swishing the dirt around. It appeared to me that she thought she was doing something really naughty by painting with dirt because she had this really quizzical, yet satisfying smile on her face all through the process. We do messy play ALL THE TIME. Still she had his happy disbelief that she is actually "painting" with dirt, with a brush!



After a while, she asked for real paint. Since I keep all my art supplies in the backyard, set up was easy.Then she moved on to messing around with the paint. Together with paint, the mud art did look good.



With a another sheet of paper, Big A proceeded to do something different. No brush was picked up. Just her pointer finger, paper and glorious paint. This is what I got





It sure is pretty with a capital P. She named it . Dot painting I first did dirt painting Now dot painting And was laughing at her own joke.. Ahh that age..