We love our Do-A-Dot markers! We’ve used them to create various artistic masterpieces, as well as numerous colorful arts + crafts projects. While these wonderful, kid-friendly paint markers are amazing for promoting creative artistic expression, we also love using them for educational purposes. Today, we wanted to share four of our favorite Do-A-Dot Learning Activities!
If you’ve never heard of Do-A-Dot markers before, they are these amazing, non-toxic, washable, liquid paint markers with a sponge tip applicator. They actually remind me of the daubers used to mark bingo game cards. The circular 2.5-ounce bottles are the perfect size for little hands. There are no paint spills to worry about, and they never dry out. All you have to do is give them a quick shake, remove the lids, and start creating!
There is something about forming little dots in an array of colors that kids just seem to love. And if I’m being completely honest…I love using them too! The colors are incredibly vibrant and they require zero painting preparation or clean-up. Yes! π The possibilities are endless when it comes to utilizing these creative dot markers, and the learning opportunities are vast. They are perfect for number recognition and counting practice, color-matching, letter recognition and alphabet practice, and pattern recognition – just to name a few.
First things first…you need to get your hands on a set of Do-A-Dot markers. The only other supplies that you will need for the following learning activities are sheets of white paper and a set of standard markers.
Do-A-Dot Counting Caterpillars
When I came across this adorable and educational Do-A-Dot Counting Caterpillars idea, over on the @interactive_learning Instagram feed, I knew our little nugget would love it! She flipped over this simple learning activity. With one piece of paper she was able to practice her number recognition skills and her counting skills…all while creating a handful of very colorful caterpillars.
To create this educational activity for your little ones, simply write a random assortment of numbers on the left-hand side of a piece of white paper. I oriented the paper horizontally, so that our daughter had more space to create her dot caterpillars. Make sure to only select numbers that you know there will be enough room for on the paper. π Next to each number, draw a smiling caterpillar face (antennae and all). Hand the paper to your kiddos, along with a set of Do-A-Dot markers, and instruct them to add as many dots to each caterpillar as the written number requires.
Do-A-Dot Color Matching
Yet another simple, but oh so colorful and engaging Do-A-Dot learning activity, that I stumbled across over on Instagram. Lucy, of @findthelittlemind, shared this gem! And I love how quickly this color-matching activity comes together. Start by drawing numerous X’s on a sheet of white paper, using the various colors that match your specific set of Do-A-Dot markers. Give your child the sheet of paper, and the dot markers, and have them place a matching colored dot on top each and every X.
This is a great individualized activity that your kiddos can conquer all by themselves…they can even draw on the X’s too. I love providing this type of educational activity for our little nugget to complete when I’m attempting to get a meal on the table…it keeps her completely engaged! She loves this creative Do-A-Dot activity, and was equally enamored with the end result, as she immediately attached it to the front of our refrigerator. π
Do-A-Dot ABC Letter Find
I truly feel like I hit the jackpot when I came across these free ABC Letter Find printables from Cassie, over at 3 Dinosaurs. What a great way for little ones to practice their ABC’s and letter recognition skills…and they pair perfectly with Do-A-Dot markers! So, pop on over to 3 Dinosaurs and print out a set for yourselves. I also highly recommend browsing through Cassie’s other printables…she shares an abundance of incredible ideas.
Do-A-Dot letter searches are one of our little nugget’s absolute favorite letter recognition activities. She will sit at the dining room table, dotting letter after letter…sheet after sheet. π
Do-A-Dot Patterns
Patterns abound in everyday life. We are surrounded by patterns of color, shape, size, etc. When we are young, patterns help us learn about sequencing, as well as how to make predictions. Pattern recognition promotes those all-important mathematical skills. Providing a fun and colorful way to practice patterns will surely keep your kiddos engaged, and this playful Do-A-Dot pattern recognition activity that I found, over on the @growingupgriffithΒ Instagram feed, is perfect!
Using a white sheet of paper (oriented horizontally), start by creating 6-8 different lines of patterns. Create an array of patterns using the different colors of Do-A-Dot markers. Once you have all of the patterns started, hand the paper and dot markers over to your little one. The task is for them to discover the patterns on each line, and continue each pattern all the way over to the other side of the paper. Our little nugget thoroughly enjoyed this learning activity…she was adamant that she was going to complete it all by herself…and it was yet another colorful masterpiece that earned a prominent spot on our refrigerator. π
I love how proud and accomplished our little nugget feels after she completes one of these Do-A-Dot learning activities! And I’m looking forward to discovering even more ways to utilize our dot markers…for artistic, as well as educational, purposes.
Do your kiddos love using Do-A-Dot markers? What are some of their favorite dot marker activities? I would love to hear all about them in the comments below!
