Young learners to love to identify and practice their names. It’s a big part of who they are! We are always looking for fun and unique ways to work on name recognition. Recently, we combined a fun and hands-on way to practice (and discover) our names. Using some watercolors and a white crayon, kids can paint to uncover their hidden name. This hidden name recognition art activity gets kids excited about discovering their names by incorporating literacy, art, and the senses!
Hidden Name Art Preschool Name Activity
Materials
- watercolors
- paint brush
- water cup
- white card stock
- white crayon
- black crayon (optional)
See a Quick Video Demonstration of this Name Activity
Getting Started
If you are prepping this activity for a class or even an individual, you will want to write out the names ahead of time onto white card stock with a white crayon.
Based on the levels of your learners, you may want to provide a visual guide of their name. We chose to set out a loose letters sensory bin for children to practice assembling their names. An index card with their name was also included for reference.
Prior to painting, we spent some time sifting through the letters to practice letter identification and then moved on to assembly. It was a fun first step in our name recognition activity.
Once the name is assembled, you may place the loose letters at the top of your work space as a guide for revealing those hidden letters!
The Big Name Reveal!
Kids will absolutely love uncovering and recognizing the familiar letters in their names! As the very first letter was revealed through the watercolors, excited squeals were shouted out over here!
As each letter is individually revealed, encourage children to clean off their brushes and select a new color. Each letter should be identified and confirmed as you move on.
The final reveal of this hidden name recognition activity should be a beautiful and colorful work of art!
To extend this name art for older children, you may direct them to trace the letters in their name with a black crayon. Do this step once the watercolors have had a chance to dry. It gives an added bit of name learning practice!
Hidden Name Art Preschool Name Activity
Materials
- Watercolors
- Paint Brush
- Water Cup
- White Card Stock
- White Crayon
- Black Crayon optional
Instructions
- If you are prepping this activity for a class or even an individual, you will want to write out the names ahead of time onto white card stock with a white crayon.
- Based on the levels of your learners, you may want to provide a visual guide of their name. We chose to set out a loose letters sensory bin for children to practice assembling their names. An index card with their name was also included for reference.
- Prior to painting, we spent some time sifting through the letters to practice letter identification and then moved on to assembly. It was a fun first step in our name recognition activity.
- Once the name is assembled, you may place the loose letters at the top of your work space as a guide for revealing those hidden letters!
- As each letter is individually revealed, encourage children to clean off their brushes and select a new color. Each letter should be identified and confirmed as you move on.
- The final reveal of this hidden name recognition activity should be a beautiful and colorful work of art!
- To extend this name art for older children, you may direct them to trace the letters in their name with a black crayon. Do this step once the watercolors have had a chance to dry. It gives an added bit of name learning practice!
Notes
More Name Activities
Olivia
Would construction paper work?
Shaunna Evans
It technically “works” but I find it absorbs too much of the paper if kids add a lot of the water. I prefer cardstock.
Beverly Dillard
I LOVED IT. THE CHILDREN ENJOYED IT ALSO.
Shaunna
That’s great to hear, Beverly! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!
-Shaunna
Ruchi Jain
Loved it… Very interesting
Shaunna
Thanks for the feedback!
Elaine D
Learned the hard way to make sure your white crayon is not a washable one!!! Lol