Below are the best painting ideas for kids from blogs all around the Internet. No need to keep looking on Pinterest to find interesting ways to paint with kids – the best ideas are right here.
Painting Ideas for Kids
Author: Susie Published: 06/04/2023 Updated: 06/04/2023
Looking for some new painting ideas for kids? Think “outside the canvas” with these unique painting activities. Ditch the white paper and try these fun ways to paint with kids.
What are some painting ideas for kids?
There’s so much more to painting with kids than white paper and “paint something.”
Some kids love that open-ended, full permission type activity but for many, it’s overwhelming and they paint for less time than it took you to pull out all the paint and paper.
That doesn’t work for me or my kids (most of the time).
They like when painting has some sort of purpose, gimmick, or a little something extra.
What are the best paints for kids?
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There are 3 types of paints for kids to highlight today: washable tempera, liquid watercolors, and watercolor paint.
Washable Tempera
This is the most commonly used paint in schools and I started using it at home with my kids instead of the more liquidy kids washable paint. It’s still washable but bright, vibrant, and dries quickly.
Watercolor Paint
The OG of kid paint. I’m sharing our favorite brand because it has a few more colors than the traditional set you may be more familiar with. I love the way these colors go onto paper.
Liquid Watercolor
You may never have heard of this (or be a seasoned pro). Liquid watercolors are exactly what they sound like: a liquid version of the classic kid paint. It’s washable. It’s vibrant. It has so many possibilities from using it with brushes to pipettes.
Easy Toddler Painting Ideas
I know many parents are scared of painting with their toddlers, or they put in in the ‘too messy’ basket and leave it to daycare instead. Today I’m here to challenge you to get out the paints – it’s really not as messy as you might think!
Why do I need to let my toddler paint?
Painting with toddlers is about more than just a pretty (or not so pretty) picture at the end. It’s not about the finished product, but about the process and there are some great learning and developmental benefits to painting as well. These include:
- Creativity and Imagination: Painting allows toddlers to explore their imagination freely, fostering creativity and encouraging them to think outside the box.
- Fine Motor Skills:Manipulating paintbrushes, dipping them in paint, and controlling brushstrokes help toddlers refine their fine motor skills, enhancing hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
- Sensory Stimulation: Engaging with different colors, textures, and materials stimulates toddlers’ senses, promoting sensory integration and cognitive development.
- Emotional Expression: Painting provides a non-verbal outlet for toddlers to express their emotions, feelings, and experiences, supporting their emotional development and self-awareness.
- Cognitive Development: Through painting, toddlers learn about cause and effect, spatial relationships, shapes, and colors, fostering cognitive growth and problem-solving abilities.
- Confidence and Self-Esteem: As toddlers experiment and create their own artwork, they gain a sense of accomplishment and pride, boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
If you’re stuck with what to paint or how to paint with your toddler then these toddler painting ideas have you covered!
Painting with Toddlers – Tips!
Painting is one of the toddler activities that I know parents avoid the most. There are a few ways to make painting with your toddler a lot less stressful. Hopefully, these toddler painting tips will help!
Be prepared
Even I don’t have painting as a daily activity. It’s something that I plan for and set up. Designate an area for the painting, put down a drop cloth (I like this one) and try to keep everything contained.
Plan for more than 1 painting
It’s rare that a toddler only wants to paint one picture. Have lots of paper ready, a variety of brushes, and different items for them to use. It’s much easier to do multiple painting activities all at once than to do one each day – trust me!
Dress them in old clothes
The odds of your toddler getting paint on them is almost 100%! Don’t stress about them ruining their best clothes, and instead, keep some old clothes aside to use for painting and other messy play activities.
Have your cleaning supplies ready
I always keep some wipes and a towel or cloth nearby. I know they’ll get messy so it’s much easier to be prepared.
Do you have any toddler painting tips? Share them in our Facebook Group.
Let’s get started with our simple Toddler Painting Ideas – which one will you do first?
