Brushes are overrated when it comes to painting with toddlers. They can be hard for them to maneuver and they can have a hard time making what’s in their mind. All you have to do is take a look around and you will find lots of household items for painting!
When it comes to looking for household items for painting think of items in 2 different ways… can you use it as a brush or stamp? Also, what is your little one into?
Household Items for Painting in Your Craft Bins:
Cut up sponges, use folded pipe cleaners, or create a new brush using clothes pins and pom-poms!
These can be used as stamps or brushes… The different textures and patterns will make each item you grab a little bit different! If you have any of those foam shapes lying around or even popcycle sticks can be used!
Household Items for Painting in the Kitchen:
I find that V enjoys stamping more than anything else. You can stamp with sponges, utensils, or even vegetables! Your leftover from your romaine heart or celery can make beautiful flowers.
We also grabbed a medicine cup from the kitchen. It made perfect circles!
I had an empty spice jar that created a very fun stamp!
Household Items for Painting in their Toy Bins:
Cars make great brushes! Drive them through piles of paint or dunk them on your pallet and drive!
Grab their favorite plastic animals or action figures and let them leave prints from here to there! The stories they will tell along the way of where they are going are worth a quick rinse after.
Just dig around. The same item could be two completely different things! We made spots and squares here!
Just remember when finding household items for painting anything goes! It will help keep your little one engaged so much longer when you bring more items into this fun painting experience. When you are done painting you can set them up at the sink for a whole new activity. Washing all of their toys! Or if it is nice enough outside stick them with a tub of water in the grass! Are you still nervous to take the plunge and paint with your toddler?