Australian Aboriginal Dot Painting for Children Free Printables and Art Resources

Australian Aboriginal culture is one of the oldest and most fascinating cultures in the world. It has a rich history and deep spiritual beliefs that are still practiced today. The Aboriginal people believe that the land is sacred and that they have a special connection to the land. They have a strong sense of community and believe in the importance of family and storytelling.

Art and music are also an integral part of their culture, with many of their traditional stories and customs being passed down through these mediums. Despite the challenges they have faced throughout history, the Aboriginal people have managed to maintain their culture and traditions, and their resilience and strength continue to inspire people around the world.

Australian cultural heritage that is passed on for thousands of years by its Indigenous people is very authentic, deeply rooted, and represents all the beauty and tranquillity that nature so generously provides. I found that there is a lot for children to learn about Visual Art through the world of Aboriginal art.

Aboriginal dot painting for kids montessori nature process art activities (1)

It does not just represent a form of self-expression. Indigenous art is also a response to the world that conveys meaning and has a spiritual purpose.

Animal tracks 3 part cards montessori nature printable

Even decorative designs found on objects such as shields, boomerangs, and baskets may represent symbols relating to the spiritual or dream world and illustrate relationships with nature.

Originally, the indigenous people of Australia used dots to disguise the sacred meanings behind the stories in the paintings. They drew designs that included dots on the soil, and sand, and made body paintings for ceremonies because they could easily erase them as they were considered sacred.

Dot painting originated in 1971 as a Papunya Tula Art Movement. To keep their messages hidden from others, Aboriginal artists removed the sacred elements and abstracted the designs into dots to hide their sacred meanings.

Now dot painting is one of the prevalent Aboriginal Visual Art techniques children enjoy doing so much. We were very excited to try it. Doing visual art with children is fantastic for their fine motor, especially this one. A used cotton tips for dipping into the paint and making patterns with dots.

Indigenous people use colors associated with the earth, including brown, amber, brick red, terracotta, yellow ochre, warm grey, burnt sienna, tan, and shades of green such as moss. We used colors that are very close to colors mentioned above.

Australian Aboriginal dot painting is a fun and creative activity that kids can enjoy. This type of art is inspired by the ancient traditions of the Aboriginal people of Australia. The key to creating a beautiful dot painting is to use vibrant colors and dots of different sizes to create intricate patterns and designs.

To get started, all you need is some paper, paint, and a set of paintbrushes or cotton swabs. Kids can use their imagination to come up with their designs or look up traditional Aboriginal patterns for inspiration. Once they have their design in mind, they can start painting dots in different colors and sizes, layering them on top of each other to create texture and depth.

Not only is dot painting a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression, but it also provides an opportunity for kids to learn about the rich culture and history of the Aboriginal people. So why not give it a try and see what beautiful creations your kids can come up with?

Inspired by a gorgeous book with Aboriginal paintings “Why I Love Australia” my daughter did her dot painting.

Here is what we did:

Read a book with Aboriginal pictures paying attention to beautiful pictures of art and their meaning
A thought about the picture she would like to draw
Prepared cardboard with colour that suited the theme the best
Cut out curvy lines to make the picture more interesting
Used cotton tips to paint pictures with dots
Gave it a name.

It was lots of fun and a great learning experience for my 3-year-old preschooler.

We often revisit activities that are inspired by Indigenous Art and culture with my children, especially when we talk about Australia and its cultural heritage. We have conversations about the land where we live in the context of its original custodians who lived in harmony with nature. We look at their way of living which was and is so intricately connected to nature, the landscape, the flora, and the fauna of Australia.

Exploring Native Australian culture brings a very strong realisation of just how far we disassociated our identity from the natural world.

We treasure the moments when we can get a glimpse of the mystery of human nature that is rooted in centuries of staying connected to the land.

My children thoroughly enjoyed this book by Gregg Dreise My Culture and Me.

There are vast resources for teaching and encouraging the discovery of Indigenous Visual Art in Australia. This is an excellent lesson on teaching children to do dot art

Here you will find gorgeous Australian & Indigenous wooden puzzles.

Here you will find fabulous Aboriginal Colouring Pages.

Read more about the techniques and colours of Aboriginal Art here.

Aboriginal Art Slide Show

Kid Books with Indigenous Art: “Why I Love Australia”

“My First Dreamtime Dot Art Colouring-in Book“: Book 2 and Book 3

Linked with Montessori Monday and Learn and Play

Aboriginal dot painting activity free montessori nature Indiginous printables

Free Printable – Indigenous Dot Painting Activity

I excited to share with you the Aboriginal Dot Painting Activity, a free printable coloring sheet that combines traditional indigenous line art with dot letters for kids to practice their dot painting skills. This activity is not only a fun and creative way for children to express themselves, but it also provides a unique opportunity for them to learn about and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Australia’s Indigenous people.

How to Use the Aboriginal Dot Painting Activity

To use the activity sheet, simply print it out and provide your child with Q-tips or markers. You can also add a few additional materials, such as:

A reference image of traditional Aboriginal dot painting
A brief overview of the cultural significance of dot painting
A set of colored pencils or markers for added color options

Recommendations

Both Q-tips and markers can be used to create small dots. Q-tips may be more suitable for younger children, while markers may be more appealing to older children.
Encourage children to experiment with different colors, patterns, and designs. They can also try using different tools such as toothpicks or their fingers!
Once the activity is complete, encourage children to display their finished work proudly. You can also create a collaborative display by gathering all the finished artworks together.
Use different materials, such as fabric or wood, for the painting surface.
Encourage children to use their imagination and creativity when designing their artwork.
Consider incorporating other art forms, such as music or dance, into the activity.
Have children create a series of dot paintings that tell a story or depict a specific theme.
Encourage children to use different materials, such as glitter or sequins, to add texture and dimension to their artwork.
Have children create a collaborative dot painting with their peers.

The Aboriginal Dot Painting Activity is a unique and engaging way for children to learn about and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Australia’s Indigenous people. By providing a fun and creative outlet for children to express themselves, this activity also helps develop their fine motor skills, creativity, and self-expression. We hope you enjoy this activity with your child and encourage them to explore more about Indigenous Australian culture.