Dot Activities

“The Dot” by Peter Reynolds is a powerful picture book that encourages creativity, self-expression, and the idea that everyone can be an artist. All ages from preschool through adult can take a fantastic message from the pages. Find a variety of STEAM-inspired art projects to get the creative juices flowing with dots!

What is STEAM

What is STEAM? STEAM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art, and math! A STEAM project for kids may look like various things, including a science concept that involves exploring color, an engineering project that combines artistic design, or a math activity that pairs with a fun book about an art class, such as “The Dot” by Peter Reynolds!

There are many fun ways to combine the powerful messages in picture books such as “The Dot” by Peter Reynolds. Read on to see what you can put together for a quick dot lesson for this fun book or International Dot Day on September 15th!

You might also like: 25+ Books and Activities for Hands-On-Learning

What is “The Dot” About?

I am an Amazon Affiliate.

“The Dot” by Peter Reynolds centers around a young girl named Vashti, who becomes frustrated during an art class when she believes she can’t draw. In a moment of frustration, her teacher encourages her to make a mark on a piece of paper, any mark at all. Vashti angrily jabs her pen, creating a small dot.

As the story unfolds, Vashti’s teacher frames her dot and hangs it on the wall. This sparks Vashti’s curiosity and ignites her creative spark. She experiments with different colors, shapes, and sizes of dots. Along the way, she realizes that even the simplest of marks can be the beginning of something extraordinary.

“The Dot” illustrates the idea that creativity knows no bounds! Everyone has the potential to be an artist in their own unique way. Through Vashti’s journey from self-doubt to self-expression, kids (and adults) are inspired to embrace their creativity and make a mark on the world.

Dot Activities and Inspiration

TIP: Print out gold picture frames, create frames with found materials, or thrift old wooden frames and spray paint them gold to create a Dot Art Gallery!

Dot Art Gallery: Create a mini art gallery in your home or classroom. Have children make dot artwork using various materials. Materials include paints, markers, crayons, colored pencils, or collages. Then, display their artwork and encourage them to talk about their creations.

Dot Day: Celebrate International Dot Day (inspired by the book) on September 15th by wearing dots or organizing dot-themed activities. You can host a Dot Day party with dot-shaped snacks, games, and crafts.

Dot Collage: Collect circular objects like buttons, bottle caps, and stickers. Let the kids create collages by arranging these dots into pictures or patterns.

Dot Sculptures: Offer clay or playdough and encourage children to sculpt dot-inspired sculptures. They can create 3D representations of their dots and even combine them to form unique shapes.

Dot Storytelling: After reading the book, ask children to invent a story inspired by a dot they create. This could be a character, a magical world, or an adventure involving dots.

Dot Nature Hunt: Go on a nature walk and challenge kids to find natural dots in their environment – such as rocks, leaves, or flower petals. Take photos and make a “Dot Nature Book.”

Dot Mobile: Craft a mobile using cut-out dots decorated by the children. Hang them from a hanger or string, and let the kids watch their dots dance and spin.

Dot Science: Discuss how dots are used in various scientific fields, like microscopy or astronomy. Set up a simple science experiment making coffee filter dots with markers and water to explore solubility.

Dot Math: Dots work perfectly for counting and learning numbers! Use these dot-themed ten frames with dot stickers for a quick hands-on math activity.