If you've a toddler, chances are you have dabbled in finger painting. And chances are you're not in a hurry to repeat finger painting at home because of the mess it creates.
Here’re 3 play hacks I use for mess and anxiety-free painting with Gwen (15 months).
Mess Free Play Hacks for Painting with Toddlers!
1. Paint with water
Using water instead of paint for beginners is a good way to acquaint little ones with holding the paintbrush and practising the hand motion to move the paintbrush across paper. Water dries up easily and doesn’t leave stains on furniture, your toddler and you!
Couple this with point number 2 below!
2. Paint on coloured paper
Instead of painting with colours, achieve a similar effect by painting on coloured paper. I got the idea from my mum friend Carmen. If you're reading this Carmen, thank you for the inspiration!
Water creates a darker shade of colour on coloured paper which makes it interesting for little ones to trial and error brush strokes and painting techniques on paper.
Water on coloured paper dries up pretty well and you can re-use the paper a few more times before the discoloration gets really obvious. For a more lasting solution, making a doodle board out of a special calligraphy cloth. Read more here.
3. DIY your own brush dipping container
Toddlers are still honing their fine motor skills and don’t have the ability to gracefully dip their brushes in an open-mouthed container without spilling the contents all over.
Short of buying a special container, a brainwave hit me when I was clearing out Gwen’s old milk bottles one day.
I used a pair of scissors to enlarge the hole in the teat of an old milk bottle, big enough to fit 2 brushes through.
Gwen loves posting her paintbrushes through this opening on the bottle test and can now wet her own brushes without too many accidents. Even if she knocks over the bottle, there’s plenty of time for me to set it upright before all the water drains out!
I’m keen to learn all the tricks and play hacks you have about painting with your toddler! Swap ideas with me on my exclusive Facebook group or chat with me on Instagram!
