Spoiler alert: You’re gonna need a white crayon.
Crayon resist art is a mom’s secret weapon to helping toddlers make art that looks good.
Even if you both have limited drawing skills, crayon resist art creates a cool effect that will wow anyone, from kindergarteners to sixty-year-olds!
I can’t believe I’ve only JUST discovered this simple technique!
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Crayon Resist Art
Years and years ago when I received my first ever stand-up box of Crayola crayons (with built-in crayon sharpener!), I remember wondering when I would ever use the white crayon.
I didn’t have a lot of aptitude for art back then.
Still don’t.
But now that I’m older and wiser, I have learned that the white crayon is, indeed, good for something!
Looking for an organized guide of fun, easy activities to do with your toddler that also encourages their growth and development?
I’ve created a 3-month activity planner just for busy parents like you! The plan includes 65 detailed, simple, and stress-free activities including: arts and crafts, sensory play, motor skills, and STEM–all using easy-to-find supplies.
Let me help make planning activities for your toddler easy, so you can skip the stress and get straight to the fun!
Here’s What You’ll Need
Before we get started, let’s make sure we have the following items:
- a white crayon (jumbo kind, so it won’t break mid-drawing)
- cardstock or thick watercolor paper (any sturdy paper that holds up to watercolor)
- watercolor paints (scroll down for easy substitutions)
- a paintbrush
How We Did It: Crayon Resist Art
To create our crayon resist art, I used a white crayon to sketch (and I use this term loosely as I am NOT an artist!) a few drawings on cardstock.
My tip for people who want to see what they are drawing: Instead of using white paper, use off-white or a very light gray.
The white crayon lines will show better, yet still be invisible enough if you’re doing some kind of surprise art with your toddler.
I had to press pretty hard and go over my lines a few times as my white crayon had been broken into a tiny little nub.
(Thanks for nothing, kids.)
Bust Out the Watercolors
Next, I got the watercolors out and called my two-year-old, Ella, to the art table.
She’d been wanting to “do a craaaaaft” all day, and I finally got around to it in the afternoon.
Elena loves painting.
Today, she painted a pretty E with vines and flowers around it.
And an ocean scene with lots of little fishies in the water.
Tips for Success
Toddlers will paint however they want, but to keep the waxy sketch perfectly white, don’t go over it too many times with paint.
Also, make sure to press hard when making the design with the white crayon.
We’ve done this art technique with two different substitutions. Both of which work just fine, and both of which I will share with you now.
First, if you don’t have a white crayon, use a wax candle to draw your design.
(I only had pillar candles and tea lights, so my crayon nubbin was still the better option for this post. Had I had a good tapered candle though, I would’ve been back in business.)
Second, if you don’t have watercolor paint, use watered down finger paint.
The key to this second tip is making sure your paint is heavily watered down.
Otherwise, the paint will just go right over the wax and color it instead of leaving it white.
We’ve also used food coloring. Just put a few drops into a tablespoon of water. The only caveat here is the food coloring can stain, so use with caution!
Your Turn: Make Crayon Resist Art!
Your toddler won’t be able to resist making crayon resist art!
(Sorry, I just couldn’t resist.)
(Sorry again.)
Crayon Resist Art
Supplies
- white crayon (or a wax candle)
- watercolor paint
- cardstock or watercolor paper
- paintbrushes
Instructions
- Sketch a design on the cardstock using a white crayon.
- Paint over the cardstock with watercolor paint.
- Let dry, and voila! Crayon resist art!
Ways to Use Crayon Resist Art
Of course you’ll want to show off your toddler’s fancy art to all your friends.
Try a few of these ideas:
- Make thank you cards and birthday cards.
- Make gift tags.
- Write your child’s initials and hang the completed art on their bedroom door.
- Frame your kids’ best crayon resist artwork as gifts for Grandma and Grandpa.
- Staple sheets of crayon resist artwork together to make a picture book.
- For older kids, write secret messages for them to discover, such as “I love you,” or today’s Wi-fi password. 🙂
Are you ready to try it? What will you make with your crayon resist art?
More Arts and Craft Activities for Toddlers
Looking for an organized guide of fun, easy activities to do with your toddler that also encourages their growth and development?
I’ve created a 3-month activity planner just for busy parents like you! The plan includes 65 detailed, simple, and stress-free activities including: arts and crafts, sensory play, motor skills, and STEM–all using easy-to-find supplies.
Let me help make planning activities for your toddler easy, so you can skip the stress and get straight to the fun!