Rainy day blues got your little ones climbing the walls? Or maybe you’re just looking for a way to brighten up the classroom with a splash of color? Forget the weather report—the forecast in your playroom is 100% chance of creativity. I’ve been there, scrambling for an activity that actually holds their attention for more than five minutes. That’s why we’re diving into the wonderfully versatile world of umbrella crafts for preschool. These ideas are more than just cute decorations; they’re sneaky little sessions for fine motor skills, color recognition, and imaginative play. Let’s open up a crafty canopy of fun!
1. Paper Plate Umbrella Collage
This is the ultimate starter craft. Grab a paper plate, cut it in half, and boom—you have a perfect umbrella canopy. Set out a buffet of materials: tissue paper squares, sequins for “raindrops,” yarn snippets, and colorful stickers.
The magic happens when the kids get to glue everything on. They’re practicing those all-important pincer grips while deciding if their umbrella will be polka-dotted or striped. Pro tip: Add a pipe cleaner handle and a cotton ball “cloud” at the top for a full weather scene.
2. Coffee Filter Watercolor Umbrellas
Watch those little faces light up with this simple science-art fusion. Give each child a white coffee filter and let them go wild with washable markers. Then, hand them a spray bottle (the cheap dollar-store kind is perfect) and let them spritz their creation.
The colors will bleed and blend in the most beautiful, unpredictable ways. Once dry, fold the filter in half and glue it to a paper handle. You get a stunning, unique preschool umbrella craft every single time. It’s like magic, but messier.
3. Umbrella Counting with Dot Stickers
Let’s combine math and art, shall we? Draw or print a simple umbrella outline and divide the canopy into sections. Write a number in each section. Then, challenge your preschoolers to place the corresponding number of dot stickers in that space.
Those sticky little dots are fantastic for building hand strength and coordination. Plus, they get the instant gratification of completing a section. It’s a craft, a counting lesson, and a fine motor workout all under one (paper) umbrella.
4. Popsicle Stick & Tissue Paper Umbrella
This one adds a great 3D element. Help the kids glue together popsicle sticks in a fan shape to form the umbrella’s ribs. Then, they can glue small pieces of tissue paper over the top, wrapping them around the sticks.
The result is a textured, delicate-looking umbrella that feels real. Attach a thicker stick or straw for the handle. These look adorable hanging from the ceiling, swaying gently like they’re caught in a spring breeze.
5. “Thumbprint Rain” Under an Umbrella
This craft tells a story. Start by having the kids draw and color a large umbrella on their paper. Then, break out the washable ink pads in shades of blue and grey. Let them dip their thumbs and make fingerprints falling from the top of the page down past the umbrella.
It’s a personal, tactile way to create rain. You can even draw little smiling faces on the thumbprint raindrops. It’s a fantastic way to talk about weather while making something uniquely theirs.
6. Recycled CD Umbrella Suncatcher
Got some old AOL CDs gathering dust? (Showing my age here). They make the shiniest umbrella tops! Let the kids cover the shiny side with transparent colored cellophane or tissue paper using glue mixed with a little water.
Once it’s dry, attach a paper handle. Hang these in a window and the sunlight will create dazzling rainbow patterns all over the room. It’s a brilliant way to talk about light and color with a wow-factor finish.
7. Umbrella Name Recognition Craft
Personalized crafts are always a hit. Write each child’s name in a large, arching shape on a piece of paper to form the umbrella’s canopy. Then, provide them with buttons, beads, or torn paper to trace over the letters of their name.
As they glue items onto each letter, they’re not just crafting—they’re actively learning the shapes that make up their name. Add a handle and some drawn-on rainboots, and you have a masterpiece they’ll be so proud to show off.
8. Plastic Bag “Slicker” Umbrella
Time to get a little textured! Cut an umbrella shape from a colored plastic bag (the kind from the grocery store). This material is wonderfully crinkly and different. Kids can glue this onto a background paper and then decorate it with permanent markers or glued-on paper shapes.
The sensory experience of the slick, shiny plastic is a big part of the fun. It looks like a real rain slicker! Just supervise closely if you’re using markers on the slippery surface.
9. Umbrella Color Sorting Activity
Turn color matching into an interactive display. Create a large umbrella poster with different colored sections. Then, provide a mix of items like pom poms, colored paper clips, or fabric swatches in corresponding colors.
The children’s job is to glue or place each item onto its matching colored section on the umbrella. This makes for a fantastic group activity where everyone contributes to one big, beautiful, and educational piece of art.
10. Balloon Print Umbrella Tops
This is gloriously messy and fun. Inflate a small balloon just a little bit, dip it in a shallow tray of paint, and then stamp it onto paper to create perfect semi-circle umbrella canopies.
Let them experiment with overlapping prints and different colors. After the paint dries, they can add the handles and details. The balloon’s squishy texture makes painting an exciting sensory adventure.
11. Construction Paper Shape Umbrella
A classic for a reason. Pre-cut a variety of shapes: half-circles for canopies, rectangles for handles, small circles for buttons, and even triangles for rain. Then, let the children assemble their own umbrella scene using these shapes.
This activity directly supports early geometry skills. They have to identify and manipulate the shapes to create their picture. It’s structured creativity at its best, perfect for a focused preschool craft time.
12. “Puddle Jumping” Process Art Scene
Think bigger than just the umbrella. Create a whole rainy day scene. Start with a blue-wash painted sky. Then, add the paper umbrella. For the puddles, use tin foil glued to the bottom of the page.
Finally, let the kids dip their fingers in grey paint and make footprints “jumping” over the puddle. It’s a full narrative in art form, combining different materials and actions for a super engaging project.
13. Edible Graham Cracker Umbrella
Alright, we had to include a tasty one. Use a half of a graham cracker for the canopy. Let the kids “glue” it to a plate with a dollop of frosting. Use a pretzel stick for the handle.
Then, decorate the graham cracker with rainbow sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or colored frosting. The best part? After all that careful crafting, they get to eat their masterpiece. Talk about a sweet ending!
So, there you have it—13 umbrella crafts for preschool that are guaranteed to brighten any day, rain or shine. The real umbrella here is the canopy of skills these activities cover: from counting and color sorting to sensory exploration and pure imaginative play. The next time the skies look gloomy, don’t sigh. Grab some paper plates, coffee filters, and a whole lot of glue, and make your own sunshine. Your little artists are ready for a downpour of creativity. Now, which craft will you try first? 😉