Worm Painting Craft: A Messy Sensory Art Project Perfect for Kids!
Get ready for a squishy, messy, and super fun craft that’s perfect for little hands! This worm painting craft combines finger painting with simple cutting and gluing, making it a great way to explore textures and creativity. Plus, it’s an easy setup with minimal supplies—perfect for toddlers and preschoolers!
By combining textured paint with simple worm art, we create the perfect mix of creative play and sensory exploration.
As someone who works with toddlers and preschoolers daily, I can tell you – nothing beats watching their faces light up when they first squish their fingers into our special “mud” paint!
Setting Up Your Space for Worm Art Success
Listen, I know what you’re thinking – messy paint and toddlers? But trust me, with the right setup, this worm craft activity is totally manageable! Here’s exactly how I prepare my space for finger painting:
- Place a tablecloth over your paint area
- this can either be washed down to be reused or thrown out after your project
- Place a flattened cardboard box in each child’s space
- Have everything ready for cleanup
- wet wipes
- wet washcloth for each child
- Have all supplies ready before you call the kids to the table
- once they start you will want to remain close by especially if painting with a bigger group of young toddlers
TIP: use old adult sized t-shirts cut up the sides for a paint shirt. Easy on, easy off, fantastic coverage!!
Worm Painting Craft Materials
- White or tan construction paper (the thicker, the better)
- Brown and black washable paint
- Used coffee grounds (this gives amazing texture!)
- Pink or tan construction paper for the worms
- Scissors
- Glue
- Optional: worm template (but free-hand cutting works too!)
Step-by-Step Worm Craft Instructions
Step 1: Create Your Sensory Mud Paint
This is where the fun begins! Mix those coffee grounds right into your brown paint. The texture is AMAZING – your little ones will love how it feels different from regular paint. I always do a little sensory warm-up here: “Does it feel bumpy? Smooth? What does it remind you of?”
Step 2: Get Those Hands Messy!
Let your kiddos dive right in with their fingers. I encourage them to make swirls, dots, or whatever patterns they like. Some of my little friends even like to make “worm trails” with their fingers before we add the actual worms.
Occasionally you may have a little who is not a fan of the texture, that’s okay too!! Have some paint brushes handy in case anyone would prefer to use one.
Step 3: Let You ‘Mud’ Dry
Here’s a little secret – while our worm painting masterpieces are drying (usually takes about 20-30 minutes), I turn this “waiting time” into bonus learning time! I bring out our favorite worm book, or we sing the Wiggly Worm song. Sometimes we even do the Worm Wiggle dance (just wiggle on the floor – trust me, they’ll love it!).
Pro tip: I always have a few extra pieces of plain paper handy for those kiddos who want to keep creating while they wait. You’d be amazed at how many “mud pies” and “dirt castles” they’ll paint!
Step 4: Adding the Worms to Your Craft
Once our mud is dry, it’s worm-making time! Here’s where you can choose your own adventure:
You can use this template to trace, color, and cut out, or make your own.
- For younger kiddos: I cut out one of the worms from our worm template and traced onto pink construction paper then let the kids glue them on their mud paintings.
- For older preschoolers: Let them practice those scissor skills! They had the option to color their worm template or trace on another sheet of paper then cut them out.
- Extra fun option: Add googly eyes to your worms (because why not?)
I love asking things like “How does your worm move?” or “Is your worm taking a nap in the mud or doing a wiggle dance?” The stories they come up with are AMAZING!
Adapting for One-Year-Olds
One of the best things about this craft is that it requires very little adaptation for younger children! Here’s how to adjust for different age groups:
- One-Year-Olds – Adults can handle cutting and possibly placing the worms. Let little ones explore the paint freely with their fingers for a full sensory experience.
- My one-year-olds are currently really loving using paint brushes, that is another option!
- Toddlers (2-3 years old) – Adults can cut the worms, but toddlers can take the lead in placing them on the paper and pressing them down.
- Preschoolers (4-5 years old) – Many preschoolers may be able to cut out their own worms with safety scissors and place them independently.
Tips for Fingerpainting with a Group
Messy projects like this can be a blast, but a little preparation goes a long way! Here are some tips for making it a smooth experience:
- Set Clear Rules – Before starting, remind kids that the paint stays on the paper—not on the table, chairs, or their friends! Let them know that body painting is not part of this activity.
- Give Everyone Space – Keep children spread far enough apart so they can’t reach each other’s projects. This helps minimize accidental (or not) smears and spills.
- Prep Everything First – Have all materials ready to go, including cleanup supplies. That way, you can focus on guiding the kids instead of running around looking for missing items.
- Expect the Unexpected – Messy play can be unpredictable, so embrace the fun and go with the flow. A little extra planning helps make the experience enjoyable for everyone!
Learning Through Play: Sensory Benefits & Conversations
- Develop fine motor skills by strengthening finger muscles.
- Explore different textures, in this case, the smooth paint mixed with gritty coffee grounds.
- Engage in hands-on learning through messy play.
- Kids get to use their whole hands (hello, fine motor skills!)
- There’s enough structure to keep it manageable, but plenty of room for creativity
- The multiple steps keep them engaged without overwhelming them
- It’s just plain FUN!
While crafting, spark conversations with children:
- “How does the paint feel on your fingers?”
- “What do you think real mud feels like compared to this?”
- “Where do worms live? What do they eat?”
- “Can you make your worm look like it’s crawling through the mud?”
Check our some fun facts about worms and why they’re so important for our soil! This is a great extension to your project.
Takeaway Tips for Parents & Caregivers
Remember, some days your mud might be too wet, or your worms might end up looking more like squiggles – and that’s totally okay! It’s all about the process and those precious moments of discovery. Besides, have you ever met a kiddo who didn’t love getting a little messy with a worm painting craft?
- Messy play is learning play – Don’t be afraid of the mess! Cover the area and embrace the fun.
- Let kids take the lead – Some may want to smear the mud everywhere, while others may carefully place their worms in a pattern. Both approaches are great!
- Extend the learning – Read books about worms, go outside to look for real ones, or even create a sensory bin with dirt and toy worms.
This craft is a great way to explore textures, boost fine motor skills, and encourage creativity. Plus, kids will love getting their hands messy while making their own muddy masterpiece!
Would you try this craft? Let me know how it turns out!
Join our Facebook Group for more printables, fun activities, and hands-on learning ideas for toddlers and preschoolers!
