It’s sometimes a struggle with a large family with quiet big age gaps to find activities that suit them all. Number one and two are only really interested in crafts that are edible now, so it’s the youngest three that get enjoyment out making things at home now.
Paint is always a cheap, versatile option for crafts and today we did three seperate activities to cover their ages.
With number five only being one, paint tends to end up in his mouth rather than anywhere else; so I came across a great idea that involves placing blobs of paint inside a plastic bag or folder and securing to the table or highchair with selotape. I got a medium sized plastic bag that I usually use for putting gifts into, added three different coloured paints and then secured it to his highchair tray with a triple layer of selotape.
He had great fun pushing the paint around with his fingers, mixing the colours together and feeling the strange texture. This could be done with a larger zip up folder for bigger children as the other two were very interested in it to.
For number four we did some printing with different shapes and colours. We took a large sheet of paper and a paper plate with two different coloured paints on. For the printing we had half a plastic egg which makes a great circle, plus a toliet roll tube that I bent into the shape of a heart. It is really simple and creates a great effect.
After number four had decided to decorate our bathroom with felt tip this week the next activity was done well out of his eyesight!
Number three did some window painting. I was a little dubious about trying this one as I was worried the paint would drip everywhere and be a nightmare to get off. Suprisingly it washed off really easily and just needed a quick rub over with your usual window cleaner.
All we did was take a few different coloured poster paints and added a small drop of washing up liquid to each colour to make it easier to get off. I then gave her free rein to design whatever window display she desired.
I would do all three of these activites again as they all went down really well. What are your favourite painting activites?
Amazing! I’ll definitely be using the plastic bag with paint 🙂
I’m glad you liked it. Lots of fun without the mess! X
Looks like you all had a lot of fun! My oldest two prefer the edible variety of crafts now too lol. I’ll have to try that window painting, I’ve just had brand new windows fitted though so I might leave it a little while till their not quite so shiny and new lol xxx
Yes I don’t blame you. It was very easy to come off, but I wouldn’t have given the younger ones free rein on them! Xx
Genius! I will have to remember the plastic bag method, next time I’m feeling brave enough to get the paint out at home! Where do you usually buy the kiddies paint?
It was really good. They all liked moving it about. I just get my paints in tescos. They are about £2 a bottle and last ages X