Kids Craft Ideas: Aboriginal Dot Painting (with Video)
We are having so much fun learning about Australia this month. One of our favourite ways to learn about a culture is to explore a traditional art or craft from that culture, so for an Australia craft, we decided to try our hand at Aboriginal Dot Painting.
Australian Dot Painting Craft
The Australian Aborigine culture is mystical and fascinating. While preparing materials for our Australia unit study, I loved learning how the tradition of Australian crafts tied into the Aboriginal concept of “Dreamtime,” which would be a wonderful philosophy or theology study for an older child.
Aboriginal Dot Paintings are created by making several small dots of paint to create a cohesive whole — either depicting an image or a pattern. This relates to the Aborigine beliefs of order and union. Interestingly, the purpose of the dots is to obscure and keep secret parts of the Dreamtime stories that these artworks often depict.
This is a great conversation starter with kids — how often we cannot fully understand the appearance of anything without knowing the story behind it, and how artwork can represent something more meaningful than it seems.
Not only is this dot painting activity a great way to learn and build appreciation for Australian culture, it’s a great fine motor activity for kids in gripping the q-tip and being controlled in how they place their dots.
Math concepts come in here, too, with patterning and (if using circular patterns) exploring how the number of dots increase as the circles of dots expand.
For younger kids, I wouldn’t try to encourage circular patterns – just focus on having them make dots on their painting one-by-one rather than use the q-tip as a paintbrush (as they might be tempted).
Older kids can try their hands at a traditional circular dot pattern, as shown in the video below. If they really enjoy dot painting, they can move to free-hand paintings without a guiding outline.
I think reading or listening to an Aborigine story or music (such as Aboriginal Didgeridoo music) would be a great way to deepen the experience of this Australian craft.
Ella first did this project when she was 3 or 4, but recently asked to do this project again – so we filmed it! Check out our quick video on how to make an Australian Aboriginal-inspired Dot Art Painting for a fun art appreciation project for kids:
Materials we used for our Aboriginal-inspired Dot Painting:
- our free printable Kangaroo outline or another outline that appeals to your child
- tempera or acrylic paints
- paint tray or paint bowls (bowls are easier for little kids to avoid mixing colors)
- q-tips
We stayed with the Aborigine tradition of only using red, yellow, brown, and white paints, though some modern dot paintings are including cooler colours, as well.
I highly recommend grabbing a couple of these sturdy plastic lunch trays (we have one in the pictures in this post). I use these for almost all of our craft or kitchen activities, as well as in our Montessori practical life activities. Ours have lasted for over 6 years and are still going strong, plus they are so great for containing messes and allowing the kids to set a project to the side while it dries (or if you have to clear off the table for supper).
How to Make a Dot Painting
Print out your choice of outlined drawing and place on a tray or safe surface for painting.
Place your paints in a paint tray or individual bowls.
Show your child how to dip the q-tips into the paint and make a dotting pattern on their design, and then leave them to it! You can encourage older children to attempt patterns within their overall designs.
Pin this Easy Dot Painting activity to do with the kids:
Grab your free printable kangaroo template and our printable instructions:
Australian Dot Painting Craft
An easy dot painting art activity for kids to learn about Australian Aboringal dot art and gain an appreciation for this beautiful culture and artform.
Materials
- our free printable Kangaroo outline or another outline that appeals to your child
- tempera or acrylic paints
Tools
- paint tray or paint bowls
- q-tips
Instructions
- Print out your choice of outlined drawing and place on a tray or safe surface for painting.
- Place your paints in a paint tray or individual bowls.
- Show your child how to dip the q-tips into the paint and make a dotting pattern on their design, and then leave them to it! You can encourage older children to attempt patterns within their overall designs.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
New Star Foodservice 28010 6-Piece Fast Food Tray, 12 by 16-Inch, Assorted Colors
-
Round Paint Tray Palettes, FANDAMEI Plastic Paint Tray Palette, Paint Palettes Paint Pallets with 10 Wells for Adults & Kids, for Painting or DIY Craft Class, White, 2 PCS
-
Apple Barrel PROMOABI Matte Finish Acrylic Craft Paint Set Designed for Beginners and Artists, Non-Toxic Formula that works on All Surfaces, Assorted Colors 1, 18 Count
What do you think? I would love to hear your suggestions for other Australia crafts!
For more easy craft ideas, check out our full collection of Crafts for Kids here:
Original image from 2015:
I’m going to have to try this with my littles this summer! They will love it. 🙂 Thanks for linking up with Tuesday Talk! 🙂 I’m one of the co-hosts and I’m having a book giveaway this week – come check it out!
Sarah (www.sarahefrazer.com)
Thanks – will do!
I Love this idea! And I love Australian aboriginal art, I fell in love with it while traveling there a few years ago – great idea!
Thank you, Morgan – I loved the final product 🙂
Thanks for linking up! Fun idea! I’m featuring you today on Share it Saturday! Come check it out and link up so more great ideas!
Thank you so much for the feature – my daughter loves it when “her activities” are enjoyed by others 🙂
Gratefulness for bestowing this interesting blog for art and craft activities for kids. This is great for learners of all ages. The arts and crafts activities will keep children learn fun and engage. Thanks for the motivation.
Thanks for sharing this interesting blog with us. I love dot-painting. I also want to try to make this with preschoolers. These activities will help to grow the skill development of kids.
i am a pre.school teacher & I also teach my pre scholar this type of activities.i really appreciate you for share this blog & it will help children to grow their mind by doing such creative activities
This is such a cute idea! I never tried it personally but seems to be a clever way to make kids enjoy creative activities. 🙂