• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

  • Home
  • Start Here
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Printables Terms of Use
  • Subscribe!
  • Printables
    • Free Printables
    • Circle Time Printable Packets
    • Fall Printable Packets
    • Themed Printable Packets
    • Fine Motor Printable Packets
    • Dramatic Play Printable Packs
    • Literacy and Story Time Printable Packets
    • Color Recognition Printable Packets
    • Winter Printable Packs
    • Spring Printable Packets
  • Preschool
  • Toddlers
  • Lesson Plans
    • Preschool Lesson Plans
    • Toddler Lesson Plans
You are here: Home / Art / Easy Art Tips for Toddlers

This post might contain affiliate links. Click here for more information. Thanks for visiting!

Easy Art Tips for Toddlers

July 29, 2017 by Sheryl Cooper

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

 Inside: Easy art tips for toddlers that work well at home or in the classroom.

Toddlers have energy. This we know. So the thought of handing them a paintbrush might be a bit scary.

 

(Insert visions of toddler running around the room with a paintbrush in hand, dripping everywhere.)

 

But with some different approaches to setting up the table, along with activities that toddlers love, art with toddlers can be downright pleasant!

 

Easy Art Tips for Toddlers

 

 This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Like everything else, I’ve paid close attention to what type of art works well with toddlers, how to set the area up, and how to keep a handle on the mess.

I will be upfront with you: I am okay with mess. I actually delight in seeing a toddler’s little fingers dipping into the paint, smearing it across the paper. I know how important it is for them to experience the different textures while they explore the materials. I don’t even mind glitter. (I just might have lost a few of you now. Sorry!) But I do take steps to assure that the mess is contained at the art table. And I work hard modeling how we use the materials and how they stay at the table. We even have baby wipes and towels handy and our toddlers learn how to use them.

I do hope these tips and activities will inspire you love inviting your toddlers to the art table!

Easy Art Tips for Toddlers

 

 Tip #1: Add dish soap to paint.

 

BUBBLE PAINT

 

Even though we use this washable tempera paint, we add a squirt of dishwashing liquid as an extra precaution.

 

Tip #2: Have a sink close by.

 
toddler art tips

 

From the very first day of school, we show our toddlers how to wash their hands with soap and water. We also keep a packet of baby wipes close by.

 

Tip #3: Save those box lids.

 

Toddler Painting with Balls

Box lids rock when it comes to toddler art! It confines the “mess”. If paint is involved, they will want to also paint the box lid. I promise you. We also love these art trays.

 

Check these out:

 

  • Painting with Balls
  • Topsy Turvy Painting

 

Tip #4: Cover the table. 

 

toddler art

 

If you want to protect your furniture, cover it with a cheap vinyl tablecloth, newspapers, or any kind of large recycled paper.

 

Sometimes we do our artwork directly ON that large sheet of paper for a mural.

 

Check this out:

 

  • Cookie Cutter Painting

 

Tip #5: Raid your kitchen drawers.

 

toddler painting activities

 

 
Kitchen gadgets are so fun with paint! I have been known to get giddy when I find the perfect gadget at Goodwill.

 

 
 

 Tip #6: Start saving paper tubes.

Little Blue and Little Yellow Activity

 
If you’ve been on Pinterest lately, you know there are so many ways to use paper tubes! The easiest way to use them is inviting your child to dip them into a shallow tray of paint. Stamp on paper. Yep, that easy!

 

Check these out:

  • Toddler Circle Painting
  • Little Blue and Little Yellow Tube Painting

 

Tip #7: Keep a stash of sponges and clothespins.

 

 

preschool spring art

 

 
Clip sponges to clothespins for a fun painting experience!

 

Check this out:

 

  • Kids Activities with Sponges

 

Tip #8: Use frozen food containers as paint holders.

 

 Easter Egg Art for Toddlers - Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

 

 
Just add paint and brushes and you are set! We wash and reuse ours over and over again.

 

Check this out:

 

  • Painting with Plastic Eggs

 

Tip #9: Let them explore.

 

toddler painting activities

 
 Many toddlers love to get their hands involved. And yes, sleeves might also get involved. And the front of the shirt. This brings us back to #1 and #2.

 

 

 Tip #9: It’s okay if they don’t want to get their hands messy.

 

 Easy Kids Art with Freezer Bags

 

 
 Squirt paint on paper and place a piece of plastic wrap or waxed paper on top. Let them place their hands on top of this so that they do not actually get paint on their hands.

 

You can see this activity here.

 

Tip #10: It’s okay to go beyond the brush and paper.

 

 Foil Valentines Hearts

 

 Try painting on tin foil!

 Check this out:

  • Painting on Foil

 

Tip 11: Use sturdy paint cups and good toddler paint brushes. 

 

toddler art

 

Paint pots and easy-grip brushes work well with this age group. 

 

 
Let your toddlers have fun with whatever you choose. Give them time to explore!

 

Easy Art Tips for Toddlers

FREE CIRCLE TIME PLANNER!

Get your FREE circle time planner as a gift when you subscribe to my free weekly newsletters.

Here is my Privacy Policy

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

Filed Under: Art, Toddlers Tagged With: art, toddlers

About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 20 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

Previous Post: « The Best Books for Busy Toddlers
Next Post: The Best Playful Learning Activities for 2 Year Olds »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angelina Ava

    August 27, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    Nice post! very informative. Thanks for sharing with us. I am a regular reader because you post very informative post. Please keep up it in future! This is my site https://www.pinterest.com/gardenara/

    • Sheryl Cooper

      August 31, 2017 at 10:16 pm

      Thank you!

Primary Sidebar

You can also find us here!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Looking for something specific?

Categories

Welcome! I'm Sheryl Cooper, teacher of 2 and 3 year olds for over 22 years. Read more about me here!

More Printables!

preschool printables

Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds is a participant in Amazon Associates.

preschool printables

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds · Privacy Policy