We’ve had a lot of rainy days recently, but I know spring is just around the corner. As I start planning for different themed activities, I love bringing some color to my classroom with different rainbow activities. We’ve been making lots of things from paper mache and it has become a favorite with my students. To celebrate spring, I’ve created this free rainbow paper mache art template that’s colorful, hands-on and uses recycled paper. Make sure to grab this idea for your classroom or home.

I remember making paper mache when I was a kids for a piñata. It’s was messy and memorable. I wanted to find a way to introduce my kindergarten class to the fun of paper mache art, but without some of the mess. Below you’ll find a paper mache recipe that I use every time that works well, uses recycled paper and only a few simple materials.

I’ve included the rainbow template because it helps guide young children. It’s great for fine motor skills and kids still have the option to create their rainbow any way they want. They can add extra bands to the rainbow or extra designs around the rainbow. You can even use the recipe and step and create your own piece of art.

If you’re looking for more paper mache projects, grab a copy of the, How to Make Paper Mache + Free Recipe or try another activity that also uses a template: Spring Paper Mache Project.

How to Make Paper Mache

Making your paper mache mixture is easy. You need the following materials:

• Recycled Paper
• Water
• Blender
• Strainer (Optional)
• White Glue
• Paint
• Tweezers (Optional)
• Rainbow Template (Available at the bottom of this post.)

You can use any type of paper. I like to hang onto paper that’s otherwise headed for the garbage to recycle for this project, but you can even use materials like paper towel or paper napkins.

Start by ripping up the paper. White paper works best so that when you add paint to color it, the color shows; however, you can use colored paper as well.

Once the paper is ripped up, add water and let soak. Warm water works best. For every 5 sheets, or equivalent, of a standard 8 1/2×11 paper you use, you’ll have about 1 cup of paper pulp to use. This will easily create at least one rainbow. It’s so quick to make that if you ever need more, it’s easy to create more.

The longer you let the paper and water soak the easier it is to turn into pulp. Next, use a blender or hand mixer to break down the paper further and turn it into pulp.

Sensory Play Opportunity

If you have time, give kids the chance to feel and play with the paper pulp. It’s a unique sensory experience to feel the pulp and run their hands through it.

Once all of the paper is blended, use a strainer to remove some of the water. If you don’t have a strainer, you can remove a lot of the water by hand. You want the pulp to be wet, but not dripping and at a point that you can still move your hands through it.

Once the pulp is drained, add approximately 1/4 cup of white glue and mix it into the pulp mixture. Your paper mache is almost ready to create with!

Lastly, separate your pulp into as many section as colors you want on your rainbow. To each section, mix in paint to make the colors you want. You’re ready to start making your rainbow!

Free Rainbow Paper Mache Art Steps

Once your mache is ready, use the Paper Mache Rainbow template and begin adding the colored mache to each section. Give kids the option to create, mix or divide the section and colors. It’s up to them how to make their rainbow look. Kids can even add extra sections to their rainbow. Use the template as a starting point.

This project can get messy, but it’s worth it! Kids can use their fingers to place the mache mixture where they want it to go. If you have kids who do not like getting messy, or you want to reduce the mess, tweezers or popsicle sticks make great tools to pick up and place the mache instead of fingers.

Free Rainbow Paper Mache Art Results

Fill all sections of the rainbow until it’s how you want it to look. Once you’re done the rainbow, let it dry. It can take at least 24 hours, depending how wet your paper mache mixture is. If it was really wet, it will take longer. When it is hard to the touch, it’s done. Make sure when you dry your art place it somewhere that it won’t stick. Because of the glue it in, a classroom drying rack or sensitive surface may not be the best choice. I suggest placing something under it so that it is easier to remove.

You can leave the rainbow on the page, or cut it out and place on a colored background. The mache will be quite solid and the mache leaves it with a unique, textured look and feel.

I hope you have as much fun creating your rainbow as my group did. It’s a quick and easy art project that is a great introduction to paper mache.

Download the Template Here

You can grab your copy of the free rainbow paper mache art template below. Click the button and subscribe through Grow. When you subscribe through Grow, the image will download right away. You will also unlock the other freebies on this site.

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