Mop Painters

With new mops dipped in paint, children walk across a giant sheet of butcher paper making huge strokes: figure eights, super-long lines, and swirls. They practice whole-body coordination while pushing a long object, and the joy of painting big.

How to play

1. We spread out an enormous sheet of paper and fill buckets with a little paint in different colors; the teacher shows off the painting mop (2 min).
2. Without paint, we practice holding the mop with both hands and walking while pushing it forward and side to side (2 min).
3. Three at a time, we dip the mop and drag it walking from one end of the paper to the other: super-long lines (4 min).
4. Now we make shapes: a figure eight, a wave, a swirl made by walking around the mop (4 min).
5. All the groups go once more at the same time, slowly, with different colors; then we put the mops in their buckets and admire our work (3 min).

Rules

• The mop head always stays on the ground, never lifted.
• Every mopper has their own path and doesn't cross another's.
• Walk carefully on the paper because it's slippery.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child in the wheelchair pushes a mop attached to the side of the chair, or holds it with help while a classmate pushes.
• Autism: let them try the mop without paint first and choose their color.
• Visual impairment: an adult walks ahead clapping to mark the path, and raised tape marks the edge.

Learning goals

• Coordinate arms and legs while moving and pushing an object.
• Make wide strokes with the whole body.
• Share materials and painting space.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Butcher paper roll: 1
• New short-handled mops: 6
• Buckets: 6
• Washable paint: 4

Teacher tip

Cut the mop handles to the children's chest height so they can manage them. Have them barefoot or in old sneakers, and never run on wet paper: "Mops walk, they don't run."

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