The Dot activities inspired by Peter H. Reynolds are more than just lessons—they celebrate creativity, courage, and the power of “just making a mark.” Using the story as a springboard, teachers can inspire students to explore their artistic side and believe in their potential.
By incorporating these activities into the classroom, educators can foster confidence, imagination, and a growth mindset in the classroom. So, let’s explore these creative ideas that truly bring the spirit of The Dot to life!
10+ The Dot activities
1. The Dot Reader’s Theater
Turn The Dot into a fun and interactive play with reader’s theater. Students bring the story to life while practicing fluency, expression, and comprehension. Performing the book helps them internalize its message and grow their confidence, just like Vashti.
Materials Needed:
- Copies of The Dot
- Printed scripts or passages for roles
- Simple props or dot-themed headbands (optional)
How to do:
- Break students into small groups and assign roles: Vashti, teacher, narrator, other students, etc.
- Have each group read through their script and practice with expression and pacing.
- Provide time for rehearsal and adding simple actions or gestures.
- Invite other classes or parents to watch a short performance.
- Afterward, debrief on what the story means and how students felt acting it out.
2. Collaborative Dot Mural
This group art activity turns individual dots into a larger collaborative piece, emphasizing teamwork and creativity. It’s inspired by the scene where Vashti’s dot evolves into a gallery full of unique expressions.
Each student creates a dot, and together they form a stunning classroom mural. This reinforces the message that everyone’s voice matters, and together they can create something even more beautiful.
Materials Needed:
- Paper circles (various sizes)
- Paint, crayons, markers
- Large wall or mural paper for display
How to do:
- Give each student a blank paper dot and encourage them to decorate it however they want—no rules, just expression.
- Once completed, bring all the dots together and help the class plan a layout (circle, wave, spiral, etc.).
- Glue or tape the dots to a large sheet or display wall.
- Invite students to name the mural or write a short message about what it represents.
- Reflect as a class on how everyone’s contribution created a vibrant, unified piece—just like Vashti’s journey.
3. Paper Plate Dot Art Activity
This is a classic and easy art activity that lets students create their own Vashti-inspired dot using a round paper plate. It encourages self-expression, confidence in their artistic voice, and celebration of color and texture.
Materials Needed:
- White paper plates
- Tempera or acrylic paint
- Paint Brushes and sponges
- Aprons or table covers
How to do:
- Distribute a paper plate to each student as their “dot canvas.”
- Let them choose colors and painting tools to create any style they want—abstract, swirled, patterned, or mixed media.
- Encourage them to write their name boldly on it as Vashti did.
- Display all the plates together on a wall as a “Dot Gallery.”
- Reflect on how everyone made their mark in their own way.
4. The Dot Circle Challenge
The Dot Circle Challenge is among the most fun activities for kids to use their imagination. Students receive a sheet with small blank circles and are asked to transform each one into something new. It’s a great warm-up or early finisher task tied to The Dot’s message.
Materials Needed:
- Printed worksheet with blank circles
- Pencils, markers, or crayons
How to do:
- Give each student a worksheet with 30 blank circles.
- Instruct them to turn each circle into something different: a clock, a pizza, a face, a flower, etc.
- Challenge them to use as many ideas as possible without repeating.
- Allow quiet music in the background to inspire relaxed creativity.
- Have students share their favorite ideas with the class and explain their thinking.
5. Salt & Watercolor Paint Dot
This stunning art activity introduces students to texture and color blending through salt and watercolor paint. It brings “The Dot” to life with science and art combined, helping students explore creativity through experimentation.
Materials Needed:
- Watercolor paper
- Watercolor paints
- Paintbrushes
- White glue
- Table salt
How to do:
- Have students draw a simple dot or swirl using white glue on the paper.
- Sprinkle salt generously over the glue while it’s still wet, then shake off excess.Once dry, use watercolor paint to gently dab onto the salt line.
- Watch the colors spread and mix through the salt crystals.
- Let dry completely and display as “Salt Dot Masterpieces.”
6. Emoji Dot Art
This social-emotional activity lets students express different feelings using color and facial expressions. They start with simple colorful dots and turn them into emojis that reflect how they feel or how characters might feel.
Materials Needed:
- White paper or dot templates
- Markers or colored pencils
- Black pens
How to do:
- Students color in several blank circles with different colors, each representing a mood.
- Inside each dot, they draw an emoji-style face: happy, sad, excited, angry, surprised, etc.
- Discuss how colors can show emotion (e.g., blue = calm, red = anger).
- Students can label each emotion and create a mini “Mood Dot Chart.”
- This activity builds emotional literacy while keeping the dot theme alive.
7. Dot-a-Dot Activity
These hands-on activities are perfect for young children who love working with the dot stickers to explore colors and develop control.
Using simple outlines and colorful dot stickers, kids can fill in shapes, animals, or themed templates with vibrant dots. It’s a low-mess, high-fun way to connect with the message of “The Dot”—everyone can make a mark.
Materials Needed:
- Outline printouts (shapes, animals, objects, or characters from The Dot)
- Colorful dot stickers in various sizes
- Crayons or markers (optional for adding details)
How to do:
- Provide each student with a printed outline on sturdy paper.
- Let them decorate the inside of the outline using dot stickers—encouraging them to think about color patterns or freeform designs.
- Students can use crayons or markers to add extra details if they wish, such as faces, patterns, or scenery around the outline.
- Display finished dot creations on a classroom wall to create a collaborative Dot Gallery inspired by Vashti’s journey.
8. Line-Up Dot Spots
Perfect for early learners, this simple yet engaging game helps kids practice lining up and identifying colors, numbers, or even sight words—using dot stickers or drawn circles.
Materials Needed:
- Long sheet of butcher paper
- Markers or dot stickers
- Labels or cards (optional)
How to do:
- Create a path or line of dots on the paper using stickers or drawings.
- Each dot can represent a number, letter, or word depending on the subject.
- Students walk along the line, saying the letter or number as they step.
- You can also turn this into a relay game with teams.
- Great for movement, coordination, and cross-curricular learning.
9. The Spot Nail Craft
In this imaginative art activity, students create their own paper hands and decorate each fingernail using spot-themed designs. This is a playful way to explore patterns, symmetry, and color while encouraging self-expression through dot art.
Materials Needed:
- White or skin-tone construction paper
- Pencil and scissors
- Markers, paint, or dot stickers
- Cotton swabs (for dot painting)
- Glue (if layering stickers or paper dots)
How to do:
- Have students trace their hand on construction paper and cut it out to create a paper hand.
- Ask them to decorate each fingernail with spot designs only—using paint dots, stickers, or colored markers.
- Encourage them to explore symmetry, color patterns, or even create tiny dot-based “nail art” themes on each finger.
- Let students give their “nail design” a name and present it as part of a fashion or art display.
10. Dot Decorating Envelope
Perfect for young children, The Dot Decorating Envelope offers a playful way to spread kindness and lovely message through hands-on activities.
Students will write letters of support and decorate the envelopes with colorful dots and designs. They’ll send these letters to someone special—like a younger student, friend, or family member—to inspire creativity and confidence.
Materials Needed:
- Plain envelopes
- Pens, markers, or paint
- Dot stickers or other decorative materials
How to Do:
- Have each student write a letter offering encouragement to the recipient.
- Encourage them to decorate the envelope creatively with dots and colorful designs.
- Students send the decorated envelopes with their letters to the chosen person by mail, in person, or through the school.
11. The Dot Balloons Craft
This cheerful art project invites kids to create vibrant balloon cutouts and decorate them using colorful painted dots. It’s perfect for celebrating “The Dot” by letting students make their mark in a playful, festive way.
Materials Needed:
- Yellow construction paper (or any balloon-colored paper)
- Paint in various colors
- Cotton swabs or fingertips
- Pipe cleaners (for balloon strings)
- Scissors and glue
How to do:
- Cut out balloon shapes from construction paper.
- Let students dip cotton swabs or their fingers into paint and dab colorful dots all over the balloon surface.
- Once dry, attach pipe cleaners to the bottom of each balloon as strings.
- Display the balloons on a classroom wall or bulletin board as a joyful “Dot Day” celebration mural.
12. Dot Kindness Circles
Inspired by Vashti’s small dot that made a big impact, this activity uses paper dots to spread kindness in the classroom. Students will write or draw simple kind actions they can do for others, reflecting how small gestures can ripple out and make a difference.
It’s a powerful way to build community and promote empathy while staying rooted in the The Dot theme. You can use it as a bulletin board or collective class display to remind students of their power.
Materials Needed:
- Colorful dot-shaped paper cutouts
- Markers or colored pencils
- Wall space or poster board
How to do:
- Begin with a discussion about how Vashti’s teacher helped her believe in herself with just a few kind words.
- Ask students to brainstorm kind things they can do or say to others—friends, teachers, or even themselves.
- Have each student write or draw one act of kindness on a paper dot.
- Arrange all the dots on a large board or wall in a ripple or circle pattern.
- Reflect on how kindness can “leave a mark” just like Vashti’s dot did in the story.
Final thoughts
The Dot activities are a wonderful way to inspire creativity, confidence, and hands-on learning in the classroom. By using art, STEM, and interactive games, these activities help students explore their individuality and problem-solving skills. Whether it’s painting, crafting, or doing math with dots, each task reinforces the message of self-expression from The Dot. Bring these fun, meaningful experiences into your lessons to help every student make their unique mark.
