Add some paint blobs around the page as let yourself toddlers paint freely. Provide a second paper and show them how you can stamp your handprint but hitting the paper. You have to make the motion and sound effects too and make it sound super cool… then as they catch the idea the motions don’t have to be so expressive.
6 Painting ideas to do with a 2 Year Old toddler
Get inspired by these fun painting ideas you can do with 2-year-old toddlers. Grab your favorite paint and let’s get started!
What type of paint can you use for toddlers?
Toddlers tend to paint more than just the paper they are provided, so start with washable paint and use an apron. Once you are ready you can experiment with acrylic paint.
Acrylic paint will have a thicker color, stronger pigments making the color brighter while washable paint are more watered bases therefore easier to clean on surfaces, but that also means you need more layers when painting things like wood or salt ornaments.
What crafts can a two-year-old do?
Toddlers about to 2.5 and closer to 3 years old can do more guided simple crafts, but when it comes to painting process art is best. Crafts that just allow them to express their creativity, allow them to choose whatever color they want and use the brush in their own way to explore how paint feels when pressing hard or gentle.
Toddlers at 2 years old are still learning to control their hand muscles. A critical skill to learn later on how to hold a pencil and write.
Working on developing the hand muscles is a crucial early development skill you should work on at this age. Art is a great way to work on this skill.
Mess Free Painting for Babies or Toddlers
This is a really easy (and as we said, mess free!) activity to create a nice little gift for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. Of course if your toddlers like to get messy you can always do it the messy way too! My kids at this age did not like paint on his hands so this was a great alternative to finger painting.
Washable Paint or Non-Toxic Acrylic Paint – If the paint is sealed inside the bag then acrylic or tempera paint works well. If you think your baby or toddler will touch any of the paint after you’re done we’d recommend washable paint.
White Cardstock – you want a thick cardstock so that it doesn’t rip during the painting process and you can easily pull it out of the bag when you’re done.
Heart Template – use a heart outline or make your own.
Cardboard
Watch the full tutorial video here before you get started!
Here are the steps to make this mess free painting art!
1. First drop a few drops of paint on some cardstock in a large resealable bag.
You can also tape down some paper on a high chair like shown below. Make sure to use washable paint so that it will easily wash off your high chair!
As always, supervise your baby during this activity and do not leave unattended with a bag. Taping the end of the bag will ensure it cannot be opened.
2. Have your toddler press the paint around however they’d like!
Just let them push the paint and mix it together.
3. Scrape off any paint clumps.
Once your toddler or baby is done “painting”, take the page out and scrape off any excess paint that is too thick or clumpy with cardboard.
Now let your page dry completely.
4. Find a frame and cut out your painted paper to fit the frame.
You can also turn the painting into a card.
5. Using another piece of paper or cardstock, write a message on the top and bottom of your art or print off from your computer.
7. Now find a heart outline online or use a heart cookie cutter to trace a large heart in the center. Cut the heart out.
8. Place the white paper over your mess free painted page.
Now you have beautiful toddler created art you can gift for any occasion.
More Gift Craft Ideas
These butterfly handprint cards are also really easy to make and are perfect as a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day card! Simply just write your message or draw a picture on the inside of the card.
Looking for another Mother’s Day or Father’s day idea? Try these Footprint Butterfly Keychains! These are so perfect for a gift!
These handprint salt dough keepsakes are also an adorable craft and keepsake.
