Colored Corn Mosaic Art

colored uncooked popcorn kernels glued to paper

When I was little, my Great Grandmother had a framed mosaic in her kitchen made entirely of colored corn and various beans. As a kid, it always inspired me to want to make my own colored corn mosaic. So this week, with the girls (ages 4 and 2), I finally did! These mosaics would be a great addition to a harvest or Thanksgiving theme.

Colored Corn Mosaic Process Art for Preschool

Small Pieces and Fine Motor Skills

Creating corn mosaic art requires only basic materials. But it also requires a tremendous amount of patience and dexterity, two challenges for little hands. The small corn pieces are great for reinforcing pincher grip, while squeezing out the glue strengthens hands and fingers. Building these small muscles helps with writing, tying shoes, and other important life skills.

Colored Corn Mosaic Process Art

Corn Mosaic Process Art

Process art with kids is always an awesome experience to see where their level of development and imaginations, which are so much freer than our own, will take them. These art experiences can let kids explore materials and their own ideas.

Supplies

  • 6 cups colored corn (Plain popcorn, Vinegar, Water, Food coloring, Ziplock bags)
  • Sorting tray
  • Glue
  • Card stock or other heavyweight paper

Colored Corn Mosaic Art Supplies

To create a colored corn mosaic, coloring the corn is the most time-intensive part. I would recommend making it at least 2 days before you plan to use it to allow ample drying time. Add 1 cup corn, 1 cup warm water, 2-3 TBSP of vinegar, and 20-30 drops of food coloring to a Ziplock bag. The corn needs time to absorb the color, so I recommend letting it soak overnight. Then, drain the liquid from the corn, and spread out on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels to dry for 6+ hours. Note: A cup of corn is a lot of corn and should be plenty for 12-15 preschoolers to use for mosaics.

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Once the corn is dry, place it in a sorting tray. Give each child a bottle of glue, a piece of card stock, and let them create away. The only instructions were to make pictures with the colored corn. To make it stick, kids need to put down glue first, and then the corn on the glue.

Colored Corn Mosaic 2 Year Old Art

For Lil’ M (age 2), we are working on color identification. She still says everything is yellow or purple. For her, the project was about exerting her independence, doing the glue ‘myself,’ and identifying the various colors of corn as she applied them. She wanted no help or intervention.

Colored Corn Mosaic 4 year old Art

For Big M (age 4), she turned it into an exercise about shapes, requesting help with the glue to outline large shapes she specified, and then decorating them with the colored corn. You could also encourage children to create patterns, or for a slightly more structured approach, provide images for them to use. Kids could also use a pencil to lightly draw shapes or designs before using the glue.

Colored Corn Mosaic ART

And, I must admit, I had some fun of my own as well!

Playground ParkbenchBIO: Meghan is a former hedge fund professional turned SAHM to Big M (4), Lil’ M (2), and Baby M (1 month). She writes at Playground Parkbench, where she shares at-home activities for kids, parenting tips, and financial savvy for the household CEO. Find her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!

More Thanksgiving Ideas

a collage of colorful images featuring thanksgiving crafts and activities
Popcorn Turkey Glove
turkey craft with coffee filter and bingo daubers
Printable Thanksgiving Treat Bag Topper attached to zip top bag full of snack mix
two hands holding a disposable cup with pumpkin flavored pudding and whipped cream
brown playdough used to create a turkey using beads and feathers
children playing with colorful water using turkey basters

4 thoughts on “Colored Corn Mosaic Art”

  1. Pingback: Seasonal Idea of the Week: Colored Corn Mosaics | PediaStaff Pediatric SLP, OT and PT Blog

  2. Pingback: Made for Kids #12 - The Resourceful Mama

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