I got this wonderful idea after reading The Attached Mama blog
Materials Needed:
Scissors
Sponges or foam
Tempera Paint
Water
Flat saucers or dishes
Construction paper
Use scissors to cut sponges into interesting shapes. You might cut out alphabet letters, numbers, geometric shapes, animals, spaceships, or whatever your child likes. You can also use foam instead of sponges – it is available at hardware, craft, and fabric stores in large sheets.
Dilute liquid tempera paint with water. Pour small amounts of different colors in saucers. Let the kids press the sponges into saucers of paint, then onto large sheets of construction paper to make designs. Have them write their names, create landscapes, or tell a story with their sponge shapes.
Creative Options
Have the kids repeat the same shapes over and over to make wrapping paper. Or, make greeting cards, picture frames, or place mats.
Trouble-Shooting Tips
Ask the kids to keep sponges on the paper. Keep the activity contained at a table covered with newspapers.