painting with toddler

Painting is the easiest but messiest kids activity ever! I know, I understand and don’t worry I got your back. This is a go to activity for my toddler when he has nothing to do. Given the situation of most children are still required to stay home, this is a really common thing to do at home. 

I am sharing some easy tips to make the cleaning process easier and to encourage your little one to love painting.

1. Use Washable Paints

I always use my favourite tempera paint from Unicorn because the colours are great, they are affordable, toxic free and most importantly washable. Even if it is stained on clothes, it is washable. It just needs a few washes and some soaking time. 

2. Use Egg Cartons as Paint Palette 

I always keep the egg cartons to use as a paint palette. You don’t have to wash the carton but just throw it away after your child has done painting. Isn’t it great?

3. Tape a Huge Paper On The Table

Yes, you heard me right, tape it on! I remember the first time my son did this and he brought his paper around. It was a pain as my carpet was stained with all the paints. I bought some masking tapes and tape a huge A2 size paper on the table for him to work with. He knows the paper is not movable, he will move his chair or walk around the table to complete his painting. 

4. Display Their Artwork

Stick them on the wall around the height of your child. Let them admire their own work. Make sure you don’t stick it too high. Put it in a place that they can look at it and can touch and feel their artwork. 

5. Don’t just say ‘Good Job’

I learned this from speech therapy as my son was facing speech delay issues last year. Instead of just saying Good Job and Well Done, tell them what they were doing. For Example, “Wow! you are painting a circle.”, “You are starting off with Red this time?” and so on. 

I Hope you enjoy the article and would give these tips a try! Let me know in the comment section if you have other tips!