WATCH OUT!
Children will probably figure out that painting themselves or each other is quite interesting too, so prepare for lots of wet clothing. Going barefoot if possible is a good idea, too.
MATERIALS - click to buy
- Small plastic pail - Here’s an example of a bucket found on Amazon in a size that’s easy for your preschooler to carry
- Paint brush - A regular, wall painting brush about 2 inches wide found here is our preference. But any size brush you have on hand will do. Have one brush per painter.
- Water
HOW TO
- Skilly Spark #1: Talk with your child about painting. Have they seen an people painting a wall, the outside of the house, or any other painting? We are going outside and paint, too. But instead of paint, we are going to use water.
- Put a small amount of water into the pail.
- Give your child a brush.
- Head outside. You might begin by suggesting that the side of your house, a fence or a sidewalk looks like it needs painting. Encourage your child to start painting there. You can join in and make it a collaborative effort.
- When your child feels that area is done, suggest another area.
- Let your child come up with as many places that would be fun water painting areas, even their own bodies!
- Skilly Spark #2: Go back and look at the area that was first painted. Does it need a “second coat?” Take a moment to chat about what caused the “paint” to fade or even disappear.
Keep the fun going
- Children 3 years and older can have fun practicing their numbers, letters, and designs.
- What else can we paint? Tricycles, swing-sets and other outdoor toys also have great potential for water painting.