Are you looking for an excellent transition activity that will serve as a brain break? Sponge activities are a way to engage students and toddlers alike for 5-10 minutes to literally absorb extra time. Whether you’re looking for preschool sponge activities, exciting things to do as a first-year teacher, or something for students who are a little older, this list has you covered. Read on for a comprehensive list of 80 sponge craft and painting ideas.
1. SpongeBob
No list of sponge activities could possibly be complete without the one and only SpongeBob Square Pants! Make him and his lady friend with a yellow sponge, some markers, paper, and glue. There is so much going on with this simple activity.
Learn More: Preschool Activities
2. Butterfly Scene
Finding fun activities you can do with items you already have at home can be tricky. As long as you have colorful dog poop bags, you should be set to create this beautiful butterfly scene. The clouds are cotton balls but the rest of the picture is just sponges and glued-on construction paper.
Learn More: Preschool Activities
3. Paper Plate Color Wheel
Painting with my son is always a precious time we get to spend together. Having something in mind as an end goal makes this time even better. All you have to do is cut a sponge into triangles and then paint whatever colors you’d like on the sponge to create these colorful wheels.
Learn More: The Craft Train
4. Dessert
Pretend food is always a hit with my toddler. Cut the sponge into whatever shape you’d like to make your favorite dessert. Add some colored pom-poms for decoration. Felt pieces make for perfect frosting layering.
Learn More: The Craft Train
5. Float a Boat
Do you have leftover wooden skewers from the last time you made kabobs? Use those to make the most of your sailboat. Construction paper cut into triangles makes the sail. A single-hole punch is needed to get the sail onto the mast.
Learn More: Easy Peasy and Fun
6. Sponge Painted Stocking
This fun stocking craft will take up a good amount of time. Have students hole punch the front and back of the stocking at the same time so they perfectly align. Then use different-shaped sponges to decorate the stocking for Santa!
Learn More: Easy Peasy and Fun
7. Plate Turkey
All you need is red, orange, and yellow paint for this festive fall craft. Have kids paint the entire paper plate first and add the turkey head last. This will keep the turkey head from being painted by mistake. Add some googly eyes and your turkey is complete!
Learn More: The Resourceful Mama
8. Shape Paint
Cut a few shapes out on multiple sponges. Set out various colors and a piece of white card stock paper. Then let your toddler create their own shape picture! You can label each shape at the end, or leave it as is. Regardless, your kid will love learning about shapes through art.
Learn More: First Palette
9. Alphabet Sponges
Hands-on reinforcement activities that also use art are a great way to help students learn. Alphabet sponges are perfect for the preschool classroom as kids are just starting to learn how to string letters together to create words.
Learn More: First Palette
10. Sponge Doll
For this sponge doll craft, you will need felt paper or fabric, string, and paint. I would do this as a whole class activity so you can have multiple sponge dolls. They can later be used for imaginary play, or as a classroom decoration.
Learn More: Aloha Crafts
11. Build a Tower
Cut a bunch of old sponges into strips for this Jenga-inspired building activity. Want to make this a competitive activity? Add a time limit to see who can build the tallest structure in the shortest amount of time!
Learn More: Toddler Approved
12. Rainbow Painting
Line up a sponge with the colors of the rainbow, and then hand it over to your child! Your artistic child will love watching the myriad of colors that fill the page. Just glide the sponges to create a rainbow across the paper.
Learn More: Hands-On As We Grow
13. Sponge Blocks
Rather than making a simple tower, try building a house! This will take a little more prep time because the adult will need to cut out more shapes, but it is a simple DIY toy you can easily make. The Inner Child markets this as a nice quiet time activity for toddlers who no longer nap.
Learn More: Inner Child Fun
14. Build a House
I like this puzzle-type sponge-building idea. Your child (or preschool students) will need to recognize which shapes belong where. This makes for a slightly more complex shape-matching activity that ends with a completed house!
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15. Bike Wash
Is it summer yet? Drill holes in some PVC pipe and hang sponges to create a car wash. Kids will absolutely love riding their bicycles through this on a hot day as they “wash” their bikes.
Learn More: Play Ideas
16. Play Darts
Here is a simple outdoor activity. Use chalk to draw a dart board on the sidewalk. Wet a few sponges and see who can land their sponge on the bullseye. Try not to mess up the chalk with your throw!
Learn More: Play Ideas
17. Popsicles
Who doesn’t love an ice-cold popsicle? Turn them into pretend food items using an old popsicle stick and a colored sponge. Have your child help with the gluing, and then set them out for a summer display or imaginary play.
Learn More: Shelterness
18. Scrub Toy
Toddlers will have so much more fun washing their bodies with something like this. Ditch the washcloths and try making a scrub toy with them. This will help them get excited about the next time they get to take a bath.
Learn More: Shelterness
19. Animal Bath Toys
If you don’t have time to make the sponges described in item eighteen, you can buy something similar. This super cute set of shapes and animals is the perfect addition to bath time. Use them as a toy to wring out, or in place of a washcloth.
Learn More: AliExpress
20. Sponge in Capsule Animals
Do you need an academic activity to help demonstrate the properties of water? These sponge capsules are a unique way to show how materials soak up water. Have students watch them grow and then explain how water is the universal solvent.
Learn More: Jelly & Drawing
21. Boat Cut Out
I love this cute craft that repurposes wine corks as the little pirates. The link below offers a step-by-step tutorial on how to create the perfect sponge boat. Once complete, put it out on display or take it for a spin in the bathtub.
Learn More: Handmade Charlotte
22. Watermelon Sponge Painting
This summertime sponge craft is the perfect painting activity to do outside on a hot day. Have watermelon out to eat for a snack and then paint it! All you need is a triangular sponge, paint, and your fingers for this cute activity.
Learn More: Homeschool Giveaways
23. T-Shirt
Are you looking to decorate shirts but don’t want to do the typical tie-dye thing? Use sponges instead! All you need is fabric-grade paint, a white t-shirt, and a few sponge cutouts to make a super fun and festive-themed shirt.
Learn More: Homeschool Giveaways
24. Fall Tree
This simple sponge painting is perfect for preschoolers. Teachers can prep the paper by gluing a brown piece of construction paper onto a blue background. Then have various fall colors on paper plates for students to dip their sponge strips into.
Learn More: About a Mom
25. Winter Tree Scene
All you need is a tree sponge cut-out and some tiny star sponge stamps for this tree-themed craft. Use this for a wintery decoration, or fold it in half for a card. Either way, these colorful trees are sure to brighten any gray winter day.
Learn More: Sizzix
26. Cloud Rainbow
Are you looking for a rain cloud science activity to complement your lesson on rain? If so, add a sponge rainbow! Start with blue construction paper and a sponge lined with all the colors of the rainbow. End by dabbing your sponge in white paint for the clouds.
Learn More: DLTK-Kids
27. Fall Leaves
Here is a great individual activity that you can bring together for the whole class. Each student makes their own sponge-painted leaf. Once the paint dries, the teacher can thread them together for a long line of gorgeous fall foliage.
Learn More: Crafting Chicks
28. Necklace
This easy sponge necklace will be your child’s new favorite accessory. Get it wet for the perfect cool-off on a hot day! Use a needle to create a hole through each piece. Then thread the string through and it’s ready to wear!
Learn More: The Crafty Crow
29. Fish Puppet
Googly eyes, sequences, and feathers? This sounds like the most colorful and unique puppet ever! Have students cut out their own fish shape, or do it yourself ahead of time. Glue the finished product onto a popsicle stick and you’re ready for a puppet show.
Learn More: Preschool Toolkit
30. Sponge Teddy
Start by tying the brown sponge in half with string. Then tie off the ears. Use yellow paper and a sharpie to create the eyes, then pink paper for the pose. Paint on the mouth, hands, and feet after you have glued the eyes and nose.
Learn More: Box Yourself
31. Halloween Sponges
Are you looking for a new Halloween-themed craft? Look no further than this excellent activity. Students can make all three shapes, or you can have them pick one. Hang their artwork around the classroom for the month of October.
Learn More: The Craft Home Family
32. Jellyfish
Make a jellyfish with googly eyes, a purple sponge, and a pre-cut pipe cleaner. Your child can use this as a bathtub toy or bring it outside for their next water table experience. The best part? Other than cutting the pipe cleaner, your preschooler can likely do this craft without your help.
Learn More: PBS
33. Roller Pigs
Do you have a bunch of sponge curlers from 1980 that you never plan to use again? Bust them out for this adorable pig craft. Encourage students to get silly with what color of eyes they will pick for these pigs. Cut pipe cleaners for the legs and glue on the nose.
Learn More: Smart Schoolhouse
34. Fireworks
Use a sponge dish brush to create this festive 4th of July painting. Simply dab with some blue and red paint before twirling the brush onto white paper. Add some dash markers with a sharpie for a moving effect.
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35. Homemade Sponge
Do you have 20-40 minutes of craft time for yourself? If so, try making your own sponge. This perfect homemade gift item requires mesh fabric, cotton fabric, cotton batting, thread, and a sewing machine. Get sewing today!
Learn More: Dollar Crafter
36. Sponge Bunny
Has your child ever wanted to take their favorite stuffed animal outside for water play? It will be so much easier for them to keep their loved ones inside if they have an outside sponge animal to play with. Since this requires a needle and thread, be sure to supervise, or thread the bunny face yourself.
Learn More: Alpha Mom
37. Animal Tracks
Learn about animal tracks through sponge paintings! This is such a cool way to deepen your child’s knowledge about wildlife. Painting with these sponges can open the discussion about wildlife in your area and the importance of conservation.
Learn More: Surviving a Teacher’s Salary
38. Paint Roll
As you can see, this comprehensive list of sponge crafts all has a DIY component. What if you want to do a sponge craft that is already prepared for you? Purchase these sponge wheels from Fish Pond and get the paint rolling!
Learn More: Fish Pond
39. Stamps
I like this sponge stamp idea because it has a cardboard handle glued to the top. This will certainly help reduce messy paint fingers tracking all over the house. Cut out some fun shapes the next time you’re ready to throw away a sponge and add them to your painting items.
Learn More: Kids Art n Craft
40. Sponge Flower
For these flowers, you will need three green pieces of paper and one pink sponge. Fold one strip of paper together and then use scissors to cut multiple leaves at once. Cut the pink sponge into strips and secure it to the stem with string as you create the rounded shape.
Learn More: Paper Crafts All
41. Easter Eggs
After cutting egg-shaped sponges, dip them into a bright Spring color. Press the sponge onto white paper and then use your finger to decorate the egg. Be sure to have a wet washcloth nearby to clean off those painted fingers!
Learn More: Messy Little Monster
42. Apple Stamps
These apples are too cute! Pre-cut the brown stems and green leaves with colored construction paper. Dip your sponge into red paint and use a small tipped paint brush for the seeds. Wait until the sponge paint has dried before gluing the stem and leaf.
Learn More: Happy Toddler Playtime
43. Grass House
After creating this house, add grass seed. Build the house on the lid of a Ziploc container so you can cover the house once complete. This creates a greenhouse effect so the grass can grow. Get pairs of students in your biology classroom together to record what’s happening with the grass each day.
Learn More: DIYs
44. Sprinkle Gift Topper
This is the most creative gift topper I have ever seen, and it is so easy to make! Using a sponge, cut out the letter of the person you are sending a gift. Use a single-hole punch to create a space to adhere the tag to the gift. Cover the sponge with glue and add sprinkles!
Learn More: DIYs
45. Apple Tree
Did you make an apple sponge shape from idea number 42? If so, you’re ready for this craft. Use a loofah to create the greenery. Then dab your apple-shaped sponge into red paint to add apples to your tree. This craft makes a nice addition to a lesson involving The Giving Tree.
Learn More: Crafty Morning
46. Mother’s Day Card
Do you have some class time in May dedicated to a Mother’s Day craft? Try this! Have half the student’s sponge paint “Mom”, while the other half sponge paints the flowers. Then, they switch. This will save you from having to cut out too many of each shape.
Learn More: The Best Ideas for Kids
47. Four Seasons Leaf Painting
This four seasons leaf painting is perfect to add in after students have learned about Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Have them visualize what each season brings by breaking their paper into four sections and labeling which season goes where.
Learn More: Roylco
48. Heart Mail Box
Here is a great craft to add to your classroom. Students can help decorate a cardboard box with various heart-shaped sponges. Then cut a hole for Valentine’s notes to be dropped into.
Learn More: Boy Mama Teacher Mama
49. Wreath Craft
Your school students will have so much fun making these cute and festive wreaths. You can add googly eyes or pom-poms as shown here, but this can also be just as fun without them. Older students will be able to tie their own bow, but teachers may want to pre-tie them for younger kiddos.
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50. Turkey Feathers
Cut out a bunch of individual feathers and have students decorate them as they wish with a sponge strip. You can decide if you want to stick with traditional fall colors, or if a rainbow turkey is more your style. Once the feathers are dry, adhere them to the turkey’s body.
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51. Sponge Christmas Lights
These Christmas sponge-painted lights are sure to add some flare to your holiday-themed classroom environment. Stick with red and green, or add as many colors as you’d like. Be sure to start with the squiggly line on white paper before sponge painting.
Learn More: Homeschool AEC
52. Poinsettias
Are you looking for a simple Christmas craft to fill a time slot at the end of the day? Try out these poinsettias. All you need is a bunch of leaf-shaped sponge cutouts, paint, and white paper. Add gold glitter if you choose.
Learn More: A Little Pinch of Perfect
53. StarCraft
Are you in need of activities for times when you’re learning about space? Add this bright star sponge painting to the end of a lesson about constellations. You will need to pre-cut stars of various sizes for this craft.
Learn More: Made With Happy
54. Around the Leaf
Have your students do a Fall scavenger hunt to find nature-inspired items. Then bring the leaves they found inside and lightly tape them to a piece of paper using painter’s tape. Use a sponge to paint all around the leaf and then take the leaf off to reveal its shape.
Learn More: Zippi Kids
55. Coral Reef Painting
Are you learning about the deep blue sea or the need for conserving Australia’s Great Barrier Reef? Add to your lesson with this fun craft. Cut out different coral shapes with an old sponge, provide students with blue paper and some paint, and you’re ready to go.
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56. Sponge Snowman
Add these beautiful snowman paintings to your funny classroom book collection. The body of the snowman is made out of circle sponges. The snow is finger paint, and the rest can be made from construction paper.
Learn More: Meaningful Mama
57. Stained Glass Art
No matter the season, this could be one of those everyday activities you add to a station. This stained glass-inspired painting is perfect for hanging on the window. Students can make whatever pattern they see fit once provided with a triangular sponge.
Learn More: Creative Jewish Mom
58. Giant Picture
Use an old sponge to make the clouds and rain in this huge painting. This can later be used as wrapping paper. I like this combination of sponge and brush paint that can easily be repurposed so there’s no waste!
Learn More: Creative Jewish Mom
59. Water Transfer
Water play sensory activities are a must for early childhood classroom learning. This simple activity requires a few dishes, food coloring, and a sponge. Small children will be amazed at how much water the sponge can absorb.
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60. Get Messy
This is the ultimate sponge and finger paint mix. Have various sponge cutouts inside a container of paint. Smooth transitions are tricky, so be sure to have a wet rag nearby for students to wipe off their hands before they can make it to the sink.
Learn More: Learning 4 Kids
61. Make it No Mess
Try to keep your fingers out of the equation by adding clothes pins to each sponge. Encourage students to grab onto the clothespin instead of the sponge itself. Squirt multiple colors onto a large piece of paper and allow their imaginations to build a mural.
Learn More: Busy Toddler
62. Sea Otter
What is the current topic in your classroom? Is it under the sea? If so, add this foamy fun sea otter craft to your next lesson plan. You’ll get a sponge soapy with a drop of blue food coloring. Let the background dry before gluing your cut-out otter on top.
Learn More: Moose Mischief
63. Sun Pictures
Rather than drawing a circle, I would cut out a large sponge stamp in the shape of a circle. Then use the long edge of strips of an old sponge to make the sun’s rays. Get color crazy by adding in a splash of orange paint.
Learn More: My Bored Toddler
64. Christmas Tree
These colorful and bright Christmas trees are a combination of sponge shapes and finger paint. After stamping on the triangular sponge, use your fingers to make the ornaments! Pinky fingers make for great tiny bulbs.
Learn More: Hello Wonderful
65. Shamrock Sponge
This shamrock craft would make a great whole-class activity. After each student sponge paints their shamrock, use string to tie them together in a line. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, everyone!
Learn More: Hello Wonderful
66. Apple Cut Out
I love cutouts like these for young children because they do not have to worry about staying in the lines. Use painter’s tape to gently adhere the two sheets of paper together and then remove the top piece of construction paper once the apple has been sponged!
Learn More: Proud to be Primary
67. Sea Themed Water Play
Did you make the coral reef painting from item number 55 and now you don’t know what to do with the leftover sponges? Add them to a bowl of water for an ocean-themed water play activity. Toddlers can work their fine motor skills while squeezing the sponges out.
Learn More: The Keeper of the Memories
68. Sponge Pumpkin
Students will love sponge painting their papers orange as they create the pumpkin of their choice. After the pumpkin is complete, paint each child’s hand with green finger paint. Their handprint makes the pumpkin’s stem!
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69. Sponge Monsters
These bright and colorful monsters make for a fun and easy Halloween craft. All you need is googly eyes, some pipe cleaners, and a few cuts of black and white construction paper to make these silly sponge monsters stand out.
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70. Pineapple Pillow
This craft is perfect for a high school sewing teacher. Have students sew their own pillows. Once complete, use fabric paint to sponge on their own design. They can make a pineapple, a heart, or whatever they wish!
Learn More: DIY Projects For Teens
71. Sponge Painted Butterfly
Popsicle sticks are perhaps the most universal craft item. Use them here for the body of this neon-colored butterfly. Use a sponge to dab the wings with paint. End your craft by gluing on pipe cleaners for the antennae.
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72. Reindeer Painting
Start this reindeer craft with blue paper. Then cut out a triangle, rectangle, and a long sponge strip for the reindeer’s body. Although googly eyes are a nice touch, you could easily create the face with just a black sharpie.
Learn More: I Heart Crafty Things
73. Grass Platform
This isn’t so much a craft as a play idea. My son loves to build farms with his Legos, but he only has one small flat green Lego patch. I am definitely going to give him this spongy grass idea to add to his farm the next time he makes it!
Learn More: Outside The Toy Box
74. Sponge Puzzles
What are bath times like in your household? If they’re anything like mine, kids love to play with anything water related. Cutting a few simple holes out of some sponges makes for a cost-effective DIY bath toy that also helps build problem-solving skills.
Learn More: Outside The Toy Box
75. Fit-It-Together Painting
Have every student in your class get color crazy with their rectangular sponge painting. Once everyone’s has dried, fit them all together for one giant bright and cheerful sponge-painted mural! Your classroom will be so beautiful!
Learn More: Paper and Glue
76. Heart Sponge Cake
These cute heart-shaped sponge cakes make for fun Valentine’s Day decorations. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter as a stencil. Cut the heart out of the sponge and begin decorating! You’ll have a heart-themed classroom in no time.
Learn More: Red Ted Art
77. Sponge Letter Match
You could spend multiple chunks of time with this letter match as it can be used again and again. Take that old bathtime letter set and place a few of the letters in one bin. After writing letters on some sponges with a sharpie, add those to the other bin.
Learn More: Happy Toddler Playtime
78. Candy Corn
You can either pre-color a candy corn on a paper plate as shown here, or you can paint the candy corn directly on your sponge. Press the corn-shaped sponge down onto black paper and enjoy the mouth-watering painting!
Learn More: I Heart Arts and Crafts
79. Ice Cream Cones
Triangle sponges make for the perfect ice cream cone! Add your favorite flavor by dipping a cotton ball in white (vanilla), pink (strawberry), or brown (chocolate) paint. These paintings will make for great fridge art come summertime!
Learn More: Fantastic Fun and Learning
80. Learn Shapes
Make triangle, square, and circle cutouts with a sponge for this learning activity. Glue those cutouts into another sponge so the shape is sticking out. Place your paints in a small container. Use a paintbrush to add paint to each shape. Then it’s time to decorate the tree!
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