Cattail Paint Brush & Clay Paint

Materials

• Cattails
• Rocks
• Clay (dug or purchased)
• White glue

Cut cattail stems into sections about 1 ” long. Smash the ends of the stems with a rock to make the bristles. Pull the fibers gently apart to make the brush end.

Add a small amount of clay to 2 cup of water. Let the clay dissolve. Add a small amount of white glue and stir until the mixture is smooth. Paint this clay paint with your new cattail brushes following traditional Native American designs.

Younger children may want to use the cattails as stamps instead of brushes. Washable paint, yogurt, or pudding may be substituted for the clay-glue mixture.

Activity provided by:

Story County Conservation Board
Nature Boxes for Early Childhood Educators
Debbi Williams
56461 180th St.
Ames, IA 50010
Story County Conservation