The Body-Print Mural

Children press prints of different body parts (hands, fingertips, fists, elbows, feet, knees) onto a big mural, then guess which part made each print. It helps them discover the shape of each part and name it.

How to play

1. With butcher paper on the floor and paint trays ready, the teacher presses a hand print and asks, "Which part made this print?" (2 min).
2. In groups of four or five, each child prints a palm, a fist and fingertips (4 min).
3. Try new parts: the elbow, the side of the hand, a bare foot and a knee (with shorts or rolled-up pants) (4 min).
4. Clean up with wet wipes while the mural dries a bit (3 min).
5. Everyone gathers around the mural: the teacher points to prints and children guess which part made them and find that part on their body (3 min).

Rules

• We paint only the paper and our own body part, not our friends.
• Wait your turn sitting at the edge of the mural.
• After painting with feet, walk to the wipes only with the teacher.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: put the mural on a table or wall at wheelchair height and print hands, elbows and forearms.
• Autism or dislike of mess: use thin gloves or wrap the part in plastic wrap, or print with a hand-shaped sponge.
• Visual impairment: mix sand into the paint so the prints are raised and can be recognized by touch.

Learning goals

• Recognize the shape of different body parts.
• Name less common body parts, such as the elbow or the fist.
• Create a shared artwork together.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Butcher paper roll: 1
• Washable finger paint: 4
• Trays: 4
• Wet wipes: 2

Teacher tip

Keep wipes and a tub of water next to the mural and use flat trays so parts are easy to press. Do feet one child at a time, holding the adult's hand: painted paper is slippery.

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