Learn about the forces of motion and gravity with a new painting technique by exchanging the paint brush for a swinging pendulum. Engage your child with the combination of art and science for a STEAM learning activity.
STEAM is the combination of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. While you may be aware of the popularity of STEM learning, we believe “A” for Art should be added to create STEAM. It is with the addition of creative and critical thinking that will help your child be a successful problem solver and thinker.
The Science Behind Pendulum Painting
A pendulum is a fixed object hung from a point so it can swing freely back and forth due to the force of gravity. When discussing the concept with children a great example to use is a swing. As a the swing moves back and forth it is demonstrating the physics of a pendulum. The swing is moving back and forth due to the force of gravity on the swing.
Materials
Foam or Paper Cup, Scissors, String, Tape, 2 Chairs, Broom, Large Paper (We used a roll of brown craft paper), Plastic Tablecloth or other drop cloth
Tutorial
Step 1: Prep the workspace by covering the floor with a drop cloth. Prep the pendulum by poking a hole in the bottom of the paper cup and one hole on each side of the cup underneath the rim. Tie a piece of string through the two holes on the side of the cup creating a handle for the cup.
Step 2: Place the broom horizontal across between the two chairs and slide the string tied cup to the middle of the broom.
Step 3: Before adding paint to the cup, test your pendulum with water. This is an easy way to make sure your work space is covered before adding paint. It also allows your artist time to experiment with swinging the cup.
Once your child is ready, place a piece of tape covering the bottom hole of the cup and fill the cup with a mixture of washable paint and water. It may depend on the thickness of your paint but we used a 2:1 ratio, 2 parts paint to 1 part water. Roll out and place your paper underneath the pendulum.
Remove the tape and swing the cup. Observe what patterns the pendulum creates on the paper.
Step 4: Let the painting dry completely.
Experiment with different timing of swinging the cup, different lengths of string, or lowering and raising the cup.
Afraid of the Mess? Try it Outside!
This project can get a bit messy (but with a drop cloth it was very easy to clean up).
If the ideas of painting inside scares you…try taking the pendulum painting outside. We used a DIY washable sidewalk paint to test the pendulum outside.
DIY Washable Sidewalk Paint Recipe
1/3 c. of cornstarch
1/3 c. of water
tablespoon of Washable Paint
Mix the ingredients together in a bowl. Be sure to test the paint in a small spot first to make sure it will wash off. We have found some different brands of paint wash off easier than others.
Questions to Ask Your Child:
- What pattern is the pendulum making with the paint?
- What happens if you swing the pendulum gently or swing it more forcefully?
- What does the painting look like or remind you of?
You may enjoy these other STEAM activities
How to Turn STEM into STEAM with Build a Bug Habitat
Put your engineer and design skills to the test with this STEAM CHALLENGE: Build a Rain Shelter
Science Rocks! Put your observations skills to the test with this open-ended science observation activity. 
For additional STEAM activities be sure to check out our ebook, STEAM: Preschool Activities for STEM Enrichment.
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