Today’s kids’ activity was inspired by a package I recently received that included a lot of bubble wrap. My mom suggested giving some to the children in the car, and it entertained them quietly for a 20-minute ride. With plenty left over, I remembered how much the kids enjoy making bubble wrap prints and bubble wrap hearts. That sparked the idea to try painting with mini rolling pins wrapped in bubble wrap. It’s a simple, playful way to explore texture and color using common household items.
Painting with rolling pins and bubble wrap
Supplies you will need:
- Bubble wrap
- Mini rolling pins
- Paint
- Tape
- Paper
A while back we bought textured paint rollers at a teacher supply store, which gave me the idea to create our own textured rollers. I used mini rolling pins (normally for play dough), cleaned them, measured, and cut a strip of bubble wrap to fit each one.
I wrapped the bubble wrap around the rolling pin and secured it with tape, adding a bit of tape to the underside so it stayed in place during use.
Next I squeezed a few paint colors onto a tray, placing them close together to create blended, rainbow-like effects when rolled.
The kids are familiar with rolling pins from play dough, so they easily rolled through the paint and then across paper to make textured prints. Each child approached the process differently: some enjoyed simply rubbing the rolling pin back and forth to blend colors, while others rolled slowly to reveal the individual bubble textures.
Little C preferred mixing colors and enjoying the motion, whereas A took her time to carefully roll and watch each bubble leave its mark. Both approaches produced lovely and distinct results.
I love how bubble wrap transforms simple rolling into patterned art. The texture creates repeating circles and unexpected blends that make each piece unique.
If you enjoy tactile, low-prep projects for kids, this activity is an easy favorite. You can vary the results by changing paint colors, spacing, or using different bubble wrap sizes. It’s a great way to encourage experimentation, fine motor control, and creative play.
More bubble wrap painting ideas to try:
- Patriotic Bubble Wrap Stomp
- Painting on Black Bubble Wrap