Kids Paint Station: Easy, Fast and Fun for the Toddlers

Ahhhh toddlers and paint. Always a messy and interesting endeavour. I must admit that this is the first time that I have attempted painting or drawing with a toddler. It wasn't as messy or as painful as I thought it would be.

Now before we get started I just want to mention that you can set this up either inside the house or outside. I did this inside the house because it was stinking hot outside and there was no way I was going to sit out there for over 2 hours in my pregnant state.

You want to start with a base to work on. I did this activity inside so I used an old towel. Make sure that whatever you are using as a base is something you don't mind getting dirty or potentially covered in paint.

Now we can get down to the real fun.

What you need:

2-3 cardboard rolls (as in the empty toilet roll cardboard)

2-3 different paint brushes

2-3 sponges

Cotton balls

Little hands and fingers

Multiple water colour paints

Paper (I used normal printing paper for lack of anything else, but I recommend using craft or butcher paper)

Preparing: (do this before we bring the toddler in)

1) Toilet rolls need to be cut, cut 1 in half down the length of the roll. Use another and cut down the length of the roll to about half way the whole way round (creating a fan effect on one end). Keep the last roll as is

2) Set up the base for your activity and lay out your colours in large container lids (so that you can dip the items into the paint easily). Lay out your paper.

Bring in the toddler:

So now we have different things that make different patterns for the activity. This is great because not only is it challenging for them, but it is tactile and teaching your toddler about different textures and colours all at once. How cool right?

From here it is pretty simple, show you toddler how to use each item (its a simply dunk and splat system) and use this time to teach them what the colours are called. Little hands and fingers will inevitably meet the paint, so we just make little hand and finger prints too. I have added some pictures just to help you to know what to do. I know its been years since I had any fun with this sort of stuff. Be aware though, this will turn into a face painting session really quickly so be sure to use non-toxic, water paint so that it comes off easily and can be cleaned off floors etc.

Voi la, very easy, minimal effort, fun DIY activity to do with your toddler. I couldn't help myself, I have put up a photos of my little man playing with the brushes.

Enjoy guys, this is the perfect activity for those hot summer days or those not so bright rainy days.

Forever Yours

Anni