Archive for the ‘Painting’ Category

Painting That Won't Make a Mess

09
Jun

Does your toddler or preschooler love to paint? I think that painting is probably one of Hailey’s favorite activities. But, there are some days when I don’t really feel like dealing with the mess that usually accompanies painting. So, something that is just as much fun to a toddler or preschooler that doesn’t create a big mess of paint is painting with water. On a warm day go outside and give your child a bucket of water and a paint brush. Allow your child to “paint” the sidewalk, patio, deck, driveway, etc. The only mess that might be created is a little water on your child’s clothes- which is fine for a warm day anyways.

Tags: free toddler activities, painting with toddlers, painting with water

6 Comments

Sponge Painting

27
May

I have done several finger painting projects with Hailey and I decided it was time to try something different. So we did some sponge painting. Sponge painting is a great activitiy to try with a toddler. Sponge painting can be done with all sorts of different materials but I picked a regular old sponge. Since we are working on learning shapes I cut the sponge in half to make two squares.

A very easy set up:

Paper plate
Paint
Sponge(s)
Painting paper

Then I put Hailey at the table and just let her explore the paint and the sponges.

The sponges have an interesting texture and leave an interesting print on the paper. Hailey enjoyed painting for quite a long time.

Then she started finger painting on the plate that I had put the paint on. Hailey was drawing lines on the plate in the paint. So, I started writing letters for her since I am working on letter recognition with her.

Then Hailey wanted me to write her name and Brooke’s name.

Then we used the sponge as an eraser and wrote more names and letters. She loved it! When she was done we let the plate dry with Brooke’s name on it and it turned out great.

From this project I thought of a new project to do- we are going to finger paint on paper plates. When Hailey is done experimenting I will write a letter on the plate and leave it to dry. Eventually we will have the entire alphabet.

Tags: free toddler activities, sponge painting with toddler

2 Comments

Umbrella Painting

23
Apr

In keeping with the theme of Spring I did an Umbrella Painting project with Hailey yesterday.

What you’ll need:

-paper plate cut in the shape of an umbrella
-card stock in the shape of a J for the handle
-finger paint
-smock
-a place set up to put the project to dry when you’re done

Let’s get started!

Hailey had never finger painted before, so she was a little unsure of touching it at first.

Soon she was enjoying herself.

Finally she really got into it and got both hands covered in paint.

While Hailey was painting I kept a little dialog going with her. I started out with some simple questions like, “What are we making,” “What color is this” etc. And then I moved on to some more open ended questions. Open ended questions are important because they enhance your child’s language. Rather than a simple answer they have to think about their response. Some good open ended questions to ask might include “What does it feel like,” “Why do you think the red and yellow turned orange” and “What do you see.” With a toddler you aren’t going to expect complex answers but you are still helping to expand their vocabulary and thinking skills.