Looking for some toddler painting ideas to keep your little one entertained this summer?
Thanks to websites like Twinkl, there are tons of free ideas and resources you can download to keep your toddler busy on a lazy (or rainy) afternoon this summer.
Or if you want to get out and about, check out some of the messy play and arts and crafts classes out there just for toddlers and preschoolers. Or get stuck in at the Tate Modern in their free messy painting room!
Read on to check out our 9 toddler painting ideas (along with answers to some of the more common questions)
Commonly Asked Questions For Toddler Painting
What Can Toddlers Paint With?
Toddlers can paint with just about anything! Fingers, hands, toes, feet, a twig! Or grab some of those fruit and veg for a traditional potato/carrot print.
When Should I Start Art With My Toddler?
As soon as your baby or toddler can dip their finger into food, they could start finger-painting! There are loads of washable finger paints out there that are totally safe for toddlers (and babies).
If you’re out and about, you can pop a reusable water painting book in your bag. These are fab for cafés, or spaces where you want an easy ‘no-mess’ activity.
As your toddler’s eye-hand coordination improves, you might want to get some large chunky wooden handle paint brushes. These are great for large bits of paper, sugar paper, bits of cardboard (top tip: cut up old cereal boxes for cheap and easy painting).
You can do art outside if you have a patio or paving slabs. Just wash it down when you’re finished, or wait for the next rain shower! Or try water painting. All you need is a bucket and brush.
What Painting Ideas Are Age-Appropriate For My Toddler?
If you’re looking for some more painting inspiration, check out these top 9 unique toddler painting ideas. We can guarantee the adults will have fun as well!
1. Dinosaur Footprint Finger Painting
If your toddler is into dinosaurs (or any sort of creature), finger painting their footprints going across a piece of paper can be great fun! Or if you have an outside space, you could do this on a path or brick or bit of paving.
You could play “guess the footprint” afterwards as well. They can add pictures of dinosaurs too.
Plastic toy dinosaurs or animal figures that are washable can also be dipped in paint and hopped across the page. Think prehistoric party, jungle jubilation or farmyard festival!
2. Rock Painting
Rock painting is really popular with all ages. Simply add toddler paint to a rock or pebble! Part of the fun is getting out of the house and collecting the rock – add this exploring activity into a trip to the park or beach.
3. Symmetrical Painting
You’ll probably remember doing this one yourself. Dab a ‘design’ with your fingers, hand or a brush onto one side of a piece of paper. Fold over, press and see how the colours merge together to create a new picture. This is also good if your toddler is into butterflies, ladybirds or anything else with wings! (unicorns?)
4. Painting The Patio – Or Fence, Shed or Treehouse
Grab a bucket of water, brush – and your toddler is ready to go. What’s great about this is once the water dries up, your toddler can start again from the other end! And it’s totally mess-free from your point of view, as well as helping develop gross motor skills – think really big sweeping movements with that brush.
“We gave our 2-year-old a large painting brush and a bucket of water – he used to ‘paint’ the shed for hours!”
-Liz, Team Happity
5. Painting In The Style Of A Famous Artist
Even a young toddler can have a go! Check out a Van Gogh painting for swirls, Piers Mondrian for blocks of colour, or a Monet for Pointillism (lots of dots).
Any painting you can find could be a great idea for your toddler to ‘copy’. You’ll be amazed at how your toddler sees the world and the way they interpret that famous piece of art – even if it’s a few dabs of paint. Who knows, they might invent their own style of art!
Check out these free Andy Warhol printables.
There’s also a free messing painting room on at the Tate all summer!
6. Handprinting Flowers or Butterflies
Think traditional hand painting with a summer twist. Try adding petals and stalk to a handprint, or printing two handprints on top of each other for butterfly wings. See our ‘Super Simple Summer Crafts For Kids’ blog.
7. Jigsaw Painting
If your little one is into jigsaws, you could cut up one of their creations into 6-8 large pieces (ask them first!) and see if they can put it back together again. You could help them stick it down on a new piece of paper or card to create a new piece of art – or even mix the pieces up for a fun twist.
8. Paint With Unusual Objects
Toothbrushes (used!), rolling pins, twigs, leaves and bubble wrap can all create great and unusual patterns. Or how about a cotton bud or sponge?
9. Invisible Wax Crayon Painting
The idea is you use a wax crayon or candlestick to draw a ‘secret’ picture. You then add paint to make the image appear – voilà! See the full instructions on this free resource of ‘10 Painting Activities To Do At Home’ from Twinkl.
For older school-age children, you might want to watch this free video together on how to draw things from far away – a great introduction to perspective painting.
And remember to check out your local classes for regular and one-off sessions in the holidays for messy play and painting. It’s a good idea to book ahead for these activities so you know they will have space and resources for your child.
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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