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.
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?
Instead of dreading the clean up try painting with a twist for kids. Same fun, less mess! Let me show you how.
RELATED: Play is the key to learning. Here you will find 50+ Play Ideas for kids and a better understanding of why play is vital to young learners.
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Supplies
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.
Kid’s paintbrushes
Toddlers and preschoolers benefit from a chubby handle on a paintbrush. I like how there are two different brush styles for children to explore.
Paint
This is the best paint for walls with kids. If this is your first time painting, start with this variety pack of washable paint and upgrade to larger bottles when ready.
Paint containers (Egg Cartons)
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.
How to Set Up Painting With Kids
Step 1. Line the window with Kraft Paper or tape paper to a vertical space.
If you’re painting outside, find a giant roll of Kraft Paper at Home Depot, or you can line your area with paper bags from the grocery store. 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. Keep in mind that this same setup works great indoors on a tabletop.
Step 2. Use primary color combinations.
When supplying your child with paint, try using primary or adding white to brighten and lighten a color.
Step 3. Give each child a painting section.
Notice how each child has their section to paint on? This setup is intentional and works as a visual border for children and helps keep paint in their zone. Now, each child has a personal space to paint.
Step 4. Try painting with a twist.
Painting with a twist for kids simply uses unusual objects or ideas to make painting more fun! For example, pasta, LEGO, sticks, you name it! It’s super simple, often cheap or even free.
RELATED: Need easy painting activities for kids? I’ve got you!
What are Some Ideas to Paint?
- Chalk Paint (Teach Mama)– great for using body parts to print and other exploration!
- Painting Bones (Days with Grey) – a great activity when you’re painting with a twist for kids!
- Painting Shapes (My Bored Toddler) – shapes are amazing for math skills when you paint with kids.
- Pinecone Painting Turkey Craft (No Time for Flashcards) – a really fun sensory activity that adds painting with a twist for kids.
- Recycled Paper Towel Maze (Days with Grey) – you can’t go wrong with cardboard tubes and paint.
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 with a twist for kids of all ages.
RELATED: What are our favorite art supplies? See them here: 20+ Startup Art Supplies.
Painting With Kids Doesn’t Have to be Perfect
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 rare for me. Sure, crafts with directions can be fun too!
But when it comes to painting with a twist for kids, 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 a STEM painting with chemical reactions!
RELATED: Learn more about the benefits of process art from the NAEYC HERE.
Activities on Demand
Want great ideas without the ads? Download these 20 hands-on learning games for kids.
Painting is Amazing for Little Ones
Painting with a twist for kids helps their development and is so much fun! Instead of chaos, you can create a calming environment while your kids paint away. When will you try this easy painting activity for kids?
More Painting Ideas
- Painting Rocks: an Easy Art Activity for Kids
- Sponge Painting Valentine Hearts
- Watercolor Painting for Kids
- Watercolor Shape Painting
- Let’s Paint the Ice
FAQs
Give your kid a range of paintbrushes and objects they can press into the paint, primary colors, a place to mix paint, and a large sheet of paper. Sit down with your child and explore different ways of painting together.
Any age! But typically from 15 months old is best. You can introduce paint to infants by dipping their fingertips and hands into paint and then pressing it onto different textures. Over the age of one is when children will start to be able to hold and manipulate objects to actually paint.
Rather than trying to teach them to paint, teach them to explore. Place an old sheet under a tray, then add some paint to the tray. Give your toddler some paintbrushes and let them experiment with mixing and using the paint.
