Get arty with this colourful rainbow rolling pin art idea!
This is a fun process art activity for kids that gives you gorgeous rainbow prints. It would also make a fun collaborative project because it helps to have a second person to hold the paper.
You might also like our Solar System Art

Process art is a great way to teach kids that creativity doesn’t have to follow rules.
It’s messy, fun, experimental and you don’t have to use traditional materials or methods to make it. This art project has been created with an old rolling pin (use one you don’t intend to use for food anymore).
The prints turned out so pretty with the full rainbow spectrum of colours, but don’t be afraid to mix it up. Try using other colour combinations like a blue-to-red gradient blend or the colours of your favourite sports team.
It’s up to you!

The thing about process art is that it’s not about the finished product, it’s about having fun with the process of creating. Don’t stress if your kids’ rainbow doesn’t turn out exactly like the one in the picture.
However, once you’ve created your rainbow print, you can cut it up and incorporate it in other projects like mixed media collages, bookmarks, gift tags etc.
Lets get started …
How to create Rolling Pin Rainbow Art

You will need
- Washable Paint
- Old Rolling Pin (one you do not intend to use for food again)
- Long Art Paper (affiliate link)
- Painters tape (masking tape)
How to:
Protect your surface area with a splatter cloth or similar. If you’re using newspaper, tape it to the table to stop it slipping (because the art paper will be taped to the newspaper).
Tape a sheet of long art paper to the table, or have a friend hold it in place.
Put paint on the long paper in rainbow order.

Lay the rolling pin on the paint.

Roll the rolling pin across the long paper.



The paper may stick to the rolling pin as it adheres to the paint. Taping the paper to the table helps to prevent this.


Variation ideas:
• Create a textured rainbow by wrapping your rolling pin in bubble wrap
• Change the colours to different gradient blends or the colours of your favourite sports team
• Create a smaller version of this project using a play-dough rolling pin and ordinary-sized art paper

More process art ideas for kids
Check out our printable art templates
