Jumbo String Painting Art Project for Kids (with a Math Twist!)

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We were in the mood for a messy, creative project—and since the rain finally cleared after nearly a week, we took our art outdoors! I had this jumbo string painting idea floating around in my head for a while, and I’m so glad we finally tried it. It turned out vibrant, bold, and totally awesome. Plus, it was a blast to make!

This group string painting project combines art, movement, and even a little geometry. It’s a great collaborative activity for kids of all ages.

Supplies Needed for Jumbo String Painting

• Large roll of white butcher paper

• Washable tempera paint

• Plates or trays for the paint

• Twine, yarn, or string (at least as long as your paper)

• Painter’s tape or masking tape

• Optional: rulers or protractors for a math connection

How to Do the Jumbo String Painting

Step 1: Set up your painting space.

Tape a large piece of butcher paper down outdoors on a driveway, patio, or another washable surface. We used two long strips of paper side by side to create a big square canvas.

Step 2: Prepare the paint.

Pour washable tempera paint onto a tray or plate. We used one bold color for the lines, but you could mix it up with a few colors. Just remember—it’s messy, so washable paint is key!

Step 3: Cut your string.

Cut a piece of string a little longer than the paper’s width or height. Dip it into the paint, making sure it’s fully saturated.

Step 4: Snap the string!

Here’s the fun part: Have two people hold the string just above the paper, one on each end. A third person pulls the string upward and lets go so it snaps against the paper. It creates a crisp, energetic line of paint!

Step 5: Repeat.

Dip the string back in the paint and snap it again in a new spot. Crisscross the paper with lots of lines to create different shapes—triangles, quadrilaterals, and irregular shapes. Let the lines dry before moving on.

Step 6: Paint Inside the Shapes

Once the geometric string lines are dry, start filling in the shapes with bright colors! We used a rainbow of paints, and the kids insisted on including every color we had. Mix colors, layer paints, and let kids experiment with blending.

This is where the artwork really comes to life—it becomes part abstract art, part coloring project.

We LOVE how it turned out!

Make It an Educational Math Art Project

Want to add an educational twist? Try these math art extensions:

• Geometry: Identify and name the shapes formed by the intersecting lines.

• Measurement: Use rulers to measure lengths of lines or calculate the perimeter of shapes.

• Angles: Use a protractor to measure the angles where lines meet.

• Area: Challenge older kids to estimate or calculate the area of various sections.

This project blends STEAM learning with creativity in the best way.

Why We Love This String Painting Project

• It’s great for collaboration—ideal for siblings, homeschool groups, or a classroom.

• It’s vibrant, active, and allows for tons of creativity.

• It sneaks in fine motor skills, color mixing, and basic geometry.

• And best of all—kids have so much fun doing it!

Now the only challenge is figuring out where to display the masterpiece!

Want More Math + Art Fun?

I have tons of creative ideas for combining math and art—just browse my math art activity archives!

And if you love this, be sure to check out my book: Math Art and Drawing Games for Kids