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Toddlers and paint – Do those three words terrify you? I totally understand, but they don’t have to! Painting with toddlers, or babies is not only fun, but it can also be mess free! Sounds too good to be true? know, but this easy, mess free canvas finger painting activity is exactly that; mess free, fun, and employs different learning objectives!
Painting is a wonderful way for your child to express their creativity, explore their senses, and help develop their fine motor skills. Mess free canvas finger painting is super simple to set up for your little one.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ziploc Bag: Gallon size like these.
- Blank, White Canvas: 8×10 size works great for this. I like to get a pack of canvases like these so I always have them on hand for art projects and activities.
- Paint in different colors of your choice: I like to use acrylic paints like this set for this canvas activity, because they adhere to the canvas better, and your little one never actually touches the paint. But you can also absolutely use non-toxic finger paints like these.
- Baby Wipes: Just during prep in case any paint gets on the outside of the bag. Any wipes will do.
Mess Free Canvas Finger Painting Activity:
You will love how easy this is! Drop little dollops of paint on your canvas in a few different colors. Make sure there are enough small dollops spread out across the canvas so your baby gets a reaction no matter where they touch. Once you’ve put on your paint, slide the canvas into the ziploc bag and close it. If any paint gets on the outside of the bag during this, simply wipe it away with a baby wipe. Now it’s ready to give to your little one. Encourage your child to squish and smoosh the bag. Engage with your child by saying wow, what’s happening? Do you see all the colors? See the video below!
Bonus Tip: Hang the completed painting at eye level to your little one, so they can admire and explore their work. This promotes confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Your little one will love the squishy feeling and be enchanted by the transformation of mixing colors. Mess Free Canvas Finger Painting is also a great way to explore cause and effect! When your baby is done squishing and smooshing the paint around, simply take the canvas out of the Ziplock bag and set it somewhere safe to dry. Once it is dry hang up your little munchkin’s masterpiece!
What are the other benefits of mess free canvas finger painting (aside from being mess free) and these learning objectives I keep talking about?
- Sensory Exploration: Squishing the bag, feeling the paint squish against the canvas, and hearing the satisfying squish-squash sounds – it’s a multi-sensory indulgement for developing minds.
- Fine Motor Skills: Grasping, squeezing, and maneuvering the bag encourages toddlers to develop their fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are essential for everything from writing to holding utensils.
- Cause and Effect: Color Mixing Magic! Let your little one discover the joys of color mixing by adding different paint blobs to the bag. Watching the colors blend and swirl through the clear bag is mesmerizing for your littles. They will get to explore cause and effect by seeing the way colors transform when they squish them.
- Independent Play: The self-contained nature of the bag empowers toddlers to explore their creativity independently, fostering a sense of confidence and accomplishment.
Creative Twists with Mess Free Canvas Finger Painting:
Once you’ve mastered the basic squish-and-paint technique, don’t hesitate to experiment with other colors and textures! Here are some fun ideas to take this activity to the next level:
Themed canvases: You can make mess free canvas finger painting art for different seasons and holidays! Think red, orange, and yellow paint for fall and pink, purples and reds for Valentine’s Day. Add in some sparkly heart sequins like these for a perfect Valentine’s day touch. Or, add glitter glue like this and star sequins like this one for a sparkly New Year’s Eve theme! You can also check out my baby and toddler New Year’s Eve party ideas here. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and textures. Mess free canvas finger painting masterpieces make great decor for your home and great gifts!
Nature collages: Add in leaves, flowers, or feathers into the paint before sealing the bag for a beautiful, nature-inspired masterpiece.
Sensory surprises: Hide textured objects like buttons or beads in the bag for an unexpected tactile experience. Check out this bag of textured supplies for a variety of crafts.
Painter’s Tape Patterns: Use Painter’s Tape like this one to create a design or pattern on the canvas before adding the paint. After baby is done squishing and the canvas is dry, peel off the tape. You will have a gorgeous masterpiece worthy of any wall.
Bonus tip: Capture your tiny Picasso in action! Mess free canvas finger painting provides a clear view of the artistic process, making for adorable photos and fun video opportunities.
Remember This:
The beauty of mess free canvas finger painting lies in its simplicity. Allow your child to explore, experiment, and express themselves through color and squishes. You might be surprised at the artistic masterpieces they create, all while keeping your home paint-free. Who knew a clear, resealable zippered pouch containing a stretched canvas panel and paint could let your child unleash their inner Van Gogh! So, grab a bag, add some paint, and let the mess free masterpiece making begin!
Let me know if you try this mess free canvas finger painting with your little one! What other mess free activities do you and your munchkin have fun doing?
