TinyStepper
Child shaping teal playdough at a table with colourful dough balls and cookie cutters

Splat Painting Ball Throw

Dip balls in paint and throw them at paper on the wall — channelling the throwing urge into a satisfying art explosion.

Activity details

19m–4y20 minshighoutdoorBallsBucketSpongesWashable PaintYoghurt Pots

Instructions

Tiny Steps

Get ready
  • Tape a large sheet of paper (or an old bed sheet) to a fence, wall, or propped-up cardboard box.
  • Fill two or three yoghurt pots with different colours of washable paint.
  1. Tape a large sheet of paper (or an old bed sheet) to a fence, wall, or propped-up cardboard box.
  2. Fill two or three yoghurt pots with different colours of washable paint.
  3. Provide three or four small balls (tennis balls, foam balls, or scrunched newspaper balls).
  4. Show your child how to dip a ball in the paint and throw it at the paper — demonstrate with enthusiasm.
  5. Stand back and let them throw freely — celebrate every splat: 'What a huge blue one!'
  6. Between throws, point out the patterns: 'Look, the red and yellow mixed together!'
  7. When the paper is covered (or the paint runs out), peel the paper off and lay it flat to admire together.
  8. Clean up together — this is part of the activity. Sponges and a bucket of water make cleanup its own sensory experience.

Parent tip

Set out balls and bucket before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Proud child holding up a painted sheet covered in bright handprints and splatters

What success looks like

Messy hands and a child who doesn’t want to stop. The artwork doesn’t need to look like anything — the process is the point.

When toddlers throw things, they're often seeking the proprioceptive feedback of a powerful arm movement combined with the visual thrill of impact. This activity gives them exactly that, but directs it at a giant sheet of paper on the wall or fence. Dipping balls in paint and hurling them creates a spectacular splat that's both deeply satisfying and creatively productive. The mess is the point — and containing it to a designated area teaches the concept of 'right place, right time' for throwing.

Why it helps

NHS Best Start in Life recommends practising throwing, catching and kicking a ball as simple activities that teach coordination, balance and agility. Throwing activates the proprioceptive system through the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints, providing deep pressure feedback that many toddlers are actively seeking. By sanctioning the throw and directing it at a target, you're teaching impulse channelling rather than impulse suppression — a far more effective strategy for this age group. The visual impact of the paint splat provides immediate cause-and-effect feedback, reinforcing the connection between action and outcome that builds early scientific thinking.

Variations

  • Use spray bottles filled with watered-down paint instead of balls — same throwing arm action, different result.
  • For younger toddlers, roll the balls through paint trays and then down a ramp onto paper laid flat on the ground.
  • In winter, dip snowballs in food colouring and throw them at a white sheet for a seasonal version.

Safety tips

  • Use only washable, non-toxic paint and dress your child in old clothes or a waterproof apron.
  • Ensure no one is standing between the child and the target wall — establish a clear throwing zone.
  • Avoid using hard balls like cricket balls — stick to soft, lightweight options that won't damage surfaces or hurt anyone.