Inside: How do you paint with kids? This painting post has the best tips and tricks for making painting play stress-free.
Why painting for kids needs to be on your radar.
I get it! Painting with (and for) kids may seem like a lot.
The art supplies can appear to be complicated, and the painting result may seem to be messy.
But what if I told you painting play could calm the chaos?
RELATED: Play is the key to learning. Here you will find 50+ Play Ideas for kids along with a better understanding of why play is so vital to young learners.
Here’s how you paint with kids.
What if I suggested that painting with kids brought peace?
Picture a setting where you can hear the birds chirp, rather than being a referee at a wrestling match.
Stick with me.
I want you to see that painting setup is as simple as riding a bike. Once you get it, you’ve got it for life.
Inside you will learn:
How to paint with a two-year-old
How to keep painting simple
The best paint to use with kids
How to set painting up in a flash
I will also give you painting with kids tips that I’ve learned in my teaching days to help create personal space.
RELATED: Need easy painting activities for kids? I’ve got you!
Can my toddler paint?
Certainly!
If you feel like you want to take baby steps, start here. This tutorial shares How to Paint with a Two-Year-Old and will get you going in a very controlled way.
Remember, there is no rush to become Picasso. Start small and paint more and more over time.
After your confidence in painting play grows, jump back over here for the next phase of painting for all ages.
RELATED: What are our favorite art supplies? See them here: 20+ Startup Art Supplies.
Painting does not have to start from an idea on Pinterest.
Now I love Pinterest.
And with that, here is a shameless plug to follow us HERE. But finding a perfect, adult made craft that I know my preschooler isn’t capable of is rarely for me.
Sure, crafts with directions can be fun too!
But when it comes to painting play, I want to watch my preschooler’s thoughts unfold onto the canvas. I want to watch the color mixing discoveries. And I want to hear the little conversations about what they are painting and how it relates to their life.
When you want to get adventurous, you can turn painting into STEM painting with chemical reactions!
RELATED: Learn more about the benefits of process art from the NAEYC HERE.
What paint is best for kids?
Let’s start with the supplies.
The painting supplies listed are what we use in our home.
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Paint:
When we first began painting, we used this pack of paint shown below.
Since then, we have moved to the 16oz larger bottles of paint. If this is your first time painting, start with this variety pack of washable paint and upgrade to larger bottles when ready.
Kid’s Paint Brushes:
Toddlers and preschoolers benefit from a chubby handle on a paintbrush. We use these shown here. I like how there are two different brush styles for children to explore.
Canvas:
We use paper from our white paper roll or large chart paper. I tear the paper from the top and tape it down.
Nature is also fun to paint. Here, we painted sticks!
Paint Containers:
When I discovered using egg cartons for painting, my mind was blown! It’s a super simple way to reuse trash. Another great idea is to use an ice cube tray.
The different sections hold the perfect amount of each color.
When supplying your child with paint, try using primary color combinations or adding white to brighten and lighten a color.
Notice how each child has their section to paint on?
This setup is intentional.
This setup works as a visual border for children and helps keep paint in their zone.
I lined our outdoor window with Kraft Paper. – You can find a giant roll at Home Depot, or you can line your area with paper bags from the grocery store.
Next, I tape the paper to the vertical space.
If I am concerned about the ground, I grab an old beach towel. Or plastic shower liner to prevent paint from getting on the surface.
Now, each child has a personal space to paint. Pure, easy fun that you can set up at home. Keep in mind that this same setup works great indoors on a tabletop.
What are some ideas to paint?
Here are some of my favorite ideas!
Painting Bones – Days with Grey
Painting Shapes – My Bored Toddler
Recycled Paper Towel Maze – Days with Grey
Pinecone Painting Turkey Craft – No Time for Flashcards
Chalk Paint – Teach Mama
When will you try this east painting idea for kids?
