top of page
Writer's pictureOur Playful Learning Journey

6 Fun and Easy Painting Ideas for Kids

Updated: Aug 29, 2023

Get your paints out ready for some easy painting ideas that you can do with your child right now!

Fun and easy painting ideas for kids using crayola washable paint


Paint is such a fun art material to explore! Keep reading for some inspiration for easy painting ideas for kids.



Miss 3.5 has been really interested in painting at the moment. These easy painting ideas for kids are all ones that we have tried over the past few months that have been enjoyed.


Our favourite paint is the Crayola little pots of paint. They come in lots of fun colours, including neon, but most importantly they are washable. This is very important when painting with children!



Here are a few tips for painting:

  • Have everything you need ready to go before you begin.

  • Supervise painting closely if you don't want mess everywhere.

  • Have a wet cloth or wipes ready to go to easily wipe up messes and hands etc.

  • Try painting ideas without water to minimise mess. We generally use 1 brush per paint pot. Water usually creates a lot more mess!

  • You can cover over any unused paint on a plate or palette to keep to reuse later on.


Here are the 6 fun and easy painting ideas:



1. Squish Symmetry Painting


Easy painting idea for kids - squish painting


This type of painting is lots of fun and is well loved in our house!


You will need:

  • Paper

  • Paint


What to do:

  1. Fold your piece of paper in half.

  2. Add blobs of paint on one half of the page.

  3. Fold the paper back together squishing the paint, using your fingers to spread the paint through the paper.

  4. Open the paper up to reveal your painting!


easy paint idea for kids using squeezy paint brushes to make blobs on the paper

easy painting ideas for kids - butterfly symmetry painting



2. Handprints


Easy painting idea for kids making hand print artwork with paint.


A fun way to explore painting your body and print making too!

You will need:

  • Paint

  • Paper


What to do:

Let your child explore the paint by painting their hands and printing them on the paper.


*Tip - use colours that look nice together and will mix well.



3. Using Stampers and Rollers


Easy painting idea for kids using stampers and paint rollers.

You will need:

  • Paint

  • Plate or pallette

  • Roller

  • Stamps

  • Different textured brushes


Stamps, different textured brushes and rollers are really fun for exploring using paint.


What to do:

Set up some paint on a plate or pallette and let your child explore the different types of marks and prints that can be made.



4. Squish Painting


Easy painting idea for kids squish painting using recycled cardboard.


Another simple and fun painting idea where you get to use cardboard to squish the paint!


You will need :

  • Paper

  • Piece of recycled cardboard for squishing

  • Paint


What to do:

  1. Add blobs of paint to the paper.

  2. Explore what happens when you use a piece of cardboard to press down on the paint and squish it.




5. Scrape Painting


Easy painting ideas for kids. Scrape painting using crayola paints.

A fun way to explore paint. We were inspired by @mummy_lane on Instagram with this painting idea.


You will need:

  • Paint

  • Paper

  • Scraper -piece of cardboard or window squeegee


What to do:

  1. Secure the paper to the surface so it won't move.

  2. Add blobs of paint along the top of the paper.

  3. Use the cardboard piece or squeegee to spread the paint down the page.

  4. Repeat the process across the page horizontally.



6. Leaf Prints


easy painting ideas for kids - leaf painted with paint used for printing.


The perfect painting idea for Autumn or with leaves anytime.


You will need:

  • Leaves

  • Paint

  • Paint brush

  • Paper


What to do:

  1. Cover your leaf in paint.

  2. Turn it over with the painted side facing down, press gently on the paper to make a leaf print.

  3. Repeat.


You can keep your painted leaf as a piece of art too!


Easy painting ideas for kids - leaf print kids artwork using paint and leaves.

 

Simple painting ideas can be lots of fun!


I hope you enjoyed reading these 6 ideas for fun and easy painting with your child and found some inspiration.


Most of these are able to be done straight away with what you already have at home!



Until next time, have fun learning in a playful way!


Our playful learning journey logo

For more play and learning ideas visit the homepage now.






Pin me now to save these ideas for later!

fun painting ideas for kids photo








Comments


To access the FREE VIP PLAYFUL LIBRARY with 40+ free printables
+ find out about the
LATEST BLOG POSTS subscribe here:

 

You can unsubscribe at any time.

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page