Easy Rainbow Art Activity for Kids
Looking for a fun and colorful craft that combines creativity with a little science magic? This Rainbow Art Activity is the perfect hands-on project to brighten up any day and leaves you with three unique pieces of artwork to display! Perfect for preschool and kindergarten.

There are affiliate links in this post – please read my full disclosure policy. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Get ready for a magical mix of science and creativity with this Easy Rainbow Art Activity for Kids! With just markers, water, a paper towel, and cardstock, little artists can watch their colors blend and swirl into a gorgeous rainbow masterpiece. It’s a fun, (slightly) mess-free way to explore color mixing, absorption, and a little bit of wow factor—perfect for a rainy day, classroom craft, or just a colorful afternoon of creativity!
If you have little ones to entertain, they will love this Rainbow Color Sorting Sensory Bin for Toddlers.
Another cute craft for the spring are these milk jug Easter bunny baskets and pipe cleaner flowers that are perfect for kids to make.

🌟Don’t Leave Before You Check Out These Seasonal Ideas!🌟

📌What You’ll Need
Markers – the Crayola washable kind are perfect!
Paper Towel
Plastic mat – this is optional, but does keep the crafting area a little cleaner.

✨How to do the Rainbow Art Activity
Place a sheet of paper towel on top of a piece of cardstock.

Use the markers to draw a vibrant rainbow on the paper towel.

Remove the cardstock paper underneath and set it aside (it may have marker transfer). Protect your workspace with a plastic mat. Put a new sheet of cardstock under the paper towel and place them both on the mat.

Use the dropper to add water droplets onto the rainbow. Watch the colors blend and spread beautifully!

When finished, place a fresh piece of cardstock on top of the paper towel and gently press it down. This will help transfer the colors to the top sheet.

Carefully remove the top cardstock and allow the paper towel to dry slightly. Once ready, remove the paper towel to reveal the colorful art left on the bottom sheet.

Display your artwork in a sunny window to enjoy how the colors shine!

💡Helpful Tips
- Use bold marker strokes: The more vibrant your rainbow, the more vivid the transfer will be on the cardstock.
- Test your dropper technique: Add small amounts of water at a time for better control and less mess.
- Layer for less cleanup: Use a plastic mat or an old tablecloth to avoid staining your workspace.
- Experiment with designs: Try creating patterns or shapes beyond the rainbow to make unique artwork.
- Dry fully before displaying: Let all your creations dry thoroughly to prevent smudging when you hang them up.
- This activity is perfect for kids learning about color blending and absorption.
- You’ll end up with three unique art pieces: the paper towel, the top cardstock, and the bottom cardstock.
Whether it’s a rainy day, learning about rainbows, or just wanting to do something different we hope you love our rainbow art activity!

👍You May Also Like These Printables + Ideas
Rainbow Art Experiment for Kids

Create a vibrant rainbow art project using just markers, water, a paper towel, and cardstock! Watch as the colors blend and spread like magic, making this an easy and fun activity for kids of all ages.
Materials
- Markers (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
- Paper towel
- Small bowl of water
- Dropper
- Plastic mat
- White cardstock paper (3 sheets)
Instructions
- Lay a piece of paper towel on a sheet of cardstock.
- Create a bold rainbow design on the paper towel using your markers.
- Remove the cardstock underneath, as it may have absorbed some color.
- Place a plastic mat on your table for protection, and layer a new sheet of cardstock under the paper towel.
- Using a dropper, slowly add drops of water to the rainbow design, letting the colors flow and blend.
- After the colors spread, press a clean piece of cardstock onto the paper towel to absorb the colorful design.
- Gently lift the cardstock and let it dry, then remove the paper towel to reveal a second colorful design.
- Enjoy your vibrant art and display it in a bright spot to see how the colors pop!