Painting with kids

**angeldelight** · 14-01-2008, 04:07 PM

Children of all ages love to paint. The great thing about painting with children is that each painting is truly a work of art to them... even if you can't tell what it is. As with most children's crafts, painting is more about the process and the learning than it is about the product.

It's a great opportunity to teach children how to think outside the box and use things you wouldn't normally think about painting with in their projects. You can use objects instead of brushes, different kinds of paint, paint different surfaces, use templates or stencils, or even use parts of their bodies. Painting with children can also be a great way for them to experiment, learn cause and affect, learn about colors and how they mix.

Tips...

Before you dive into painting with your child, here are a few tips that can make it a little easier to have fun and clean up afterwards. Don't forget to cover your work surface before you begin and put on old clothes or painting smocks. In addition, you can put a few drops of dish washing soap in most soaps to aid in cleanup if there are "accidents." There are also spill-free paint cups available.

I also keep a tub of warm soapy water handy to dip the kid's hands in if they get a little carried away with their painting. That way I can get the paint off their hands before they have a chance to paint my walls, carpet, etc. This works especially well with finger painting type projects.

'Substitute Brush' Ideas...

Q-tips or cotton swabs

Cotton Balls
Fingers
Toes
Rags
Toothpick
Twigs or sticks
Feathers
Toothbrush
String or yarn

Printing/Stamping/Stenciling Objects

Fruit or vegetables
Corks
Cookie cutters
Wood blocks
Leaves
Textured Fabric
Lace
Doilies
Styrofoam Shapes
Body Puff
Loofa
Natural Sponges
Stamps
Stencils
Plastic lids from containers (to make circles)
Wheels from toy cars
Sponges

Other Painting Tools
Blow Paints
Squirt bottle
Eyedropper
Old or Cheap Toys

Paint Variations
Watercolor
Tempera Paint
Poster Paint
Paint Sticks
Wet Chalk
Add Water to Thin Paint
Add Flour or Starch to Thicken Paint
Add Sand
Add Glitter
Add Fake Snow
Add Dirt
Add Whole Spices (Like Cloves or Peppercorn)

**berkschick** · 14-01-2008, 04:09 PM

Wow, thanks for the ideas Angel. Ella loves painting, we have the paints out everyday!

Love

Debbie

**Wiggly** · 14-01-2008, 04:23 PM

Great ideas Angel - thanks.

Wiggly
x

**deeb66** · 14-01-2008, 05:03 PM

More great ideas Angel

Thank you

**emler** · 14-01-2008, 05:16 PM

Thanks Angel

Emler x

**miffy** · 14-01-2008, 05:44 PM

Some lovely ideas there Angel thanks

Miffy xx

**manjay** · 14-01-2008, 05:59 PM

amanda xx

**chubbymummy** · 14-01-2008, 10:14 PM

again angel

pleeeaaase let me come to your house it sounds like you don't stop having fun

**ajs** · 14-01-2008, 10:29 PM

i'm just thinking of getting the paints out with the 14 month old so thanks for those ideas
mandy xx

**charleyfarley** · 14-01-2008, 10:53 PM

Some great ideas there Angel

Thanks a lot

Carol xx

**hello kitty** · 18-02-2008, 09:46 PM

WOW what fantastic ideas, I might let the lo's loose with the paints yet!!!
Sarah

Pipsqueak · 18-02-2008, 10:44 PM

Thanks Angel

some great tips there

ps - I prefer painting with brushes(rather than with children, they tend to object and wriggle around too much when you upend them and dip them in water) - you get better results