Painting is such a fun and easy way to fill up an afternoon, but you don’t need a complicated setup or tons of supplies to get started. Plus, painting can also be a great rainy-day activity to help pass the time when you’re stuck inside. Here are some easy painting ideas for kids (and their grownups, too!).
Note: Most of these examples use kid-friendly water-based paint, so double check the label before you set your kids loose with their brushes. Watercolors and tempera poster paint will be your best bet, and be sure to avoid acrylic unless your child is older and you want the painting to be waterproof and long-lasting.
Mess-Free Fingerpainting
If your little one loves to make designs with fingerpaint but you don’t want to deal with the mess, try this activity for some squeaky-clean fun. Simply add a few squirts of paint onto a plain piece of paper, then drop it into a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Your child can smear and squish the paint around all over the paper – without getting any on their clothes or furniture. It’s also a great activity to take on the go.
Abstract Canvas Art
Even if your child is too young to understand basic shapes or colors, they’ll have a blast painting on a canvas from the craft store. Choose your desired size, select your paint colors, set them up outside and turn them loose on the canvas. For added effect, you can lay the canvas on the ground and add handprints or footprints. If a canvas is too cumbersome, a roll of butcher block paper or brown builder’s paper can be a great substitute.
Water Painting
All you need for this activity is a couple of clean paint brushes and some water. Paint designs on your deck, house, or driveway with the water and watch them disappear as they dry in the sun. Then paint them over and over again! This is a handy way to keep your kids occupied when you need to wash your car or hose down the driveway. Plus, playing in the puddles like Lottie is fun too!
Shaving Cream Art
Did you know you can paint with shaving cream? To create a unique marbled effect on your paper, try this activity from the artfulparent.com.
- Add drops of paint to a tray of thick shaving cream.
- Swirl to combine in a unique pattern.
- Press paper into the shaving cream, then scrape off the excess.
- Let dry and voila! Beautiful marbled art.
You can also try this activity in the tub if your kids want to create colorful (but totally washable) designs.
Handmade Garden Rocks
Create a colorful garden by hand painting rocks you collect throughout your summertime adventures. Add these rocks to your garden for some extra personalization and whimsy. If you have strawberry plants, try making a few that look just like plump, ripe strawberries. It may help confuse the birds and keep them off your fruit.
Puffy Paint Fashion
Pick up some old shirts at the thrift store and use puffy paint or fabric paint to create your own wearable art. For older kids, you can tie-dye clean shirts, or use a bleach spray to create unique effects. Use fabric paint and fabric markers for some extra details.
Negative Space Painting
Sometimes, a painting is more interesting because of the area that doesn’t have paint on it. Using painter’s tape, masking tape, or wax crayons, create a design on your paper. Spread the paint over the negative space and watch as your creativity comes to life.
Pour Paintings
For a drippy-droppy good time, try pour painting. Select some water-soluble paint colors, and add plenty of water so it’s extra thin. Instead of using a paintbrush, pour the paint directly onto the paper and tip it around so the paint drips and drops as you go. See what kind of effects you can achieve by turning your paper in different directions, adding more or less water to your paint, or letting it dry between paint applications (or not!).
DIY Animal Masks
Using paper plates and some simple twine, turn yourself into your favorite animal with a fun homemade mask. Cut out holes for the eyes and have a wild good time!
Fruit Stamp Painting
Head to the grocery store and pick up some natural paintbrushes right in the produce section! Find a variety of different fruits and vegetables to use as your stamps. Potatoes, corn, apples, and mushrooms all work well for this project. Simply cut the fruit and veggies in half so you can keep a good grip on them, dip them into your desired paint color, and apply the pieces to the paper like stamps. See what sort of paintings you come up with, all without using a brush! If fruit and veggies aren’t appealing, you can also cut up kitchen sponges into various shapes and sizes for a similar effect.
Always Artsy Lottie Loves Arts and Crafts
Always Artsy Lottie loves to make art in new and creative ways. There are tons of plenty of quick and easy painting activities and crafts on Lottiedolls.com. A few favorites to try include printing our your own Paper Dolls and Coloring Pages (you can paint these, too!). You can even combine science and art and give painting with ice a try. Get creative and have fun!
