Helpful Tips for Successful Coffee Filter Art
- Labeling Made Easy: Have students write their names on the coffee filter with a ballpoint pen. This prevents names from washing off during the process.
- Creative Freedom: Let students color their coffee filters however they like. Show them examples to inspire their designs. See notes on not using black or brown.
- Use Newsprint: Color the filters on newsprint to catch any bleed-through. Save the newspaper to reuse for drying the wet filters.
- Adult Supervision for Wetting: For a full class set, an adult should wear gloves and handle the wetting of the filters. This ensures a smoother process and keeps things tidy.
- Small Group Activity: Work with small groups of 4-6 children at a time. Gather them at the sink, wet the tip of the coffee filter, and pull the water through. Unfold the filters together and let them dry.
- Efficient Drying: Stack the wet filters and newspaper on top of each other to dry. Once dried, the filters are ready to be assembled into your chosen projects.
Click HERE: How to Dye Coffee Filters
Definitely one of our most popular posts is the the Tie Dyed Turkey (below). Children cannot believe their eyes when the colors all blend together and make such a beautiful piece of art. I honestly think the color blending is the best part. Putting it all together and making something you can hang in your home is fun too.
Use this technique to make whatever you like! We’ve used it for Turkeys and Peacocks!
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THANK YOU! I’m an elementary teacher at our Christian Academy and our “STEM” teacher is looking for any projects to do with the children. You have been immensely helpful, and I can’t wait to let her know about your website.Thank you again!
What a kind compliment Fay! I hope you’re able to find some good ideas.
This sucks its the worst like horrible
Can you tell me how long it takes for the craft to dry? In a 2 hour program, can we get this done?
Hi Correne – Good question! I usually make the coffee filters one day, dry and finish the next day. I always put them on newspaper, but if it was a sunny day they might dry faster outside.
Do you put the whole filter into water? How long?
Hello! There are 2 ways. I just usually put the tip of the folded filter in the water and then draw the water through with my fingers. I’ve also seen people lay it flat on newspaper and spritz with water. The marker will stain, so keep that it mind!
I use coffee filter art lots with my 2 1/2 year old children;spray it with squirt bottle and leave on newspaper about three hours. Works great. Thank you for the art tips.
That’s awesome!
Does it have to be crayola markers? Does it work with sharpies or other markers?
I’m a big believer in Crayola for all.the.things! 🙂 It would imagine it would work with just about any water based marker, except for Sharpie since they are permanent. Good luck!
Sharpie might work if instead of water you used isopropal alcohol. That wouldn’t be as kid friendly though, since it stinks.
Sharpies actually work too if you use rubbing alcohol instead of water! I haven’t tried with regular markers before.
Have you ever used tissue paper? I dont have coffee filters. Just thought I’d ask before I give it a try.
Hi there! I have not. I don’t think it would work with this process, but I think paper towels might work! Good luck and let me know what you decide to do.
You can get coffee filters at most grocery stores for about a dollar.
Another thing is after you paint wipe the access paint on a paper towel then damp it let it dry after write something on it it looks the a poster preferably water colors put the paint close but not where the colors mix
Hi,
Very insightful tips, Thanks for sharing, I use it a lot with my 5 yrs old girl, lot of fun and Coffee smell 😀
Thanks Kristen
Could kids draw (with marker) a peace sign on it once it’s dried – or is cutting strips and gluing in better?