Do You Paint with Your Grandkids?
I love art activities with kids because creative activities seem to encourage children to share their thoughts. Sometimes those thoughts can be deep and sometimes nonsensical, but always fun.
You might be reluctant to paint with your grandkids for fear of the mess that could happen. Just a little preparation on your part will make it easier to control the mess.
10 Tips for Painting with Grandkids
- Use age-appropriate art supplies. Don't offer too much choice for little ones. They can get overwhelmed by too many options. With a paint set, only offer a few of the colors. Too many paints just ask for trouble. Check out art supplies for kids
- Prepare your space. I like to tape newsprint down on the painting surface. I save the paper I get from TJMaxx and Home Goods for this purpose. Waxed paper is another good option. You can get cheap rolls at the $Store.
- Choose your location wisely. Opt for outdoors when the weather permits. Inside, choose the room with the most hard surfaces.
- Use paper plates as pallets for acrylic paint. I like to use tubes so I can squeeze a limited amount onto the paper plate. Another option is to save lids from jars and containers to separate paint colors.
- Dress your grandchild appropriately. I have an old T-shirt I use as a paint shirt with my granddaughter (4 years old). Make sure the arms are not long enough to get in the way.
- When you start painting young you can teach children to clean as they go, to screw lids back on, and to contain the mess.
- Keep the length and difficulty of the project age-appropriate.
- Timing is important. Don't start a painting project when a child is tired. Cranky children and paint do not mix.
- Give your grandchild creative freedom. You may have planned to paint a tree with green leaves and a brown trunk but your grandchild may think a tree with purple leaves and an orange trunk is better. It's okay.
- Bring your patience. There is bound to be some spillage or mess. If you have prepared, it will be minimal. You want this to be enjoyable for your grandchild.
Painting with grandchildren can be fun for both of you. Painting sessions are an opportunity to let your imagination run wild.
Try mixing colors. If you are a bit rusty on mixing colors, look up the color wheel on the internet and go from there. Get a color wheel from Amazon.
Use different types of brushes and different widths of brushes to see different results. There are many Value Packs of Brushes available on Amazon.
Use different surfaces to paint on, like paper, canvas, construction paper, rocks, boards, and glass.
Save your grandchild's paper art projects in a portfolio. I like this one.
Make painting with your grandkids a regular activity and you will both look back on those times with fondness. You may even be able to get them to put down their electronics.
