When Kids Ask Can We Paint? Here's how to set it up!

Start with a big tarp or sheet on the ground. In this instance size DOES matter. The bigger the sheet, the more space they have to play. If you put a tiny sheet down they will step outside of the boundary and the area around it will get covered! So I always do twice the size I think I'll fill.

1. Put a big tarp down. Depending on your outdoor space this could be anything from 1x1 to 3x3 !

2. Put an old bed sheet on top because tarps can get very hot in warm weather and also become slippery when wet. (ie when covered in paint)

3. I place the supplies on the sheet strategically. It might look like a big pile of stuff but actually it is a well thought out placing of items - not too many, not too few. I like to put out at least two paint colours each to start with and then add in and take out as we go along. Rollers, really big brushes, stamps, stickers, paint stix, anything that your kids find fun. shallow bowls, trays, muffin trays or paint palettes are great for them to pour the paint into. Too much stuff will overwhelm them so play around with what works.

4. Handy hint 1: make sure all of the foil seals are taken off the paint bottles before you start. And take anything like stickers/brushes etc out of the packets. Packets get in the way of the process, trust me!

5. I put towels and wet wipes at the side of the boundary and I tell kids that we will wash at the end. This stops them wanting to run inside to wash over everytime they get a dot of paint on them. I also give them a heads up to wear old or no clothes - this gives them more freedom to do what they want with the paint - we want to enable not hinder the creative process and sometimes the worry of getting paint on "nice clothes" can seriously hinder.

6. Kids will paint any surface, it doesn't have to be a canvas or paper, they could even paint the sheet! - boxes of all sizes, old pieces of mdf or plywood are great or wooden pallets - just sand the edges!

7. Handy hint 2: Set up alone if you can. I like to set it all up and then let them discover it by themselves - don't say anything about it. This adds to the sense of wonder and they can just take it in at their leisure. It also makes it so exciting for them and I often find that they keep playing for longer because they feel like they have found something so fun and amazing. Also, If they're around your feet as you set up the magic can be lost because you're spending your whole time telling them not to touch anything.

8. Handy hint 3: Give your kids fair warning of the rules of play. They will use ALL of the paint in 5 seconds unless you give them some ground rules. For example:

Rule 1: Stay within the boundary of the tarp until you are completely finished playing.

Rule 2: See if you can use all of the tools - if you have a creative idea to use something else tell me and I will go and find the tool for you.

Rule 3: Once all of the paint has gone there isn't any more so don't use it all in one go. Try to spread it out if you can.

Final handy hint: I always start with them to show how I expect them to play. I might start by pouring out a small amount of paint into one of the bowls or palettes and then use a tool or my fingers to paint. Then I will say " please can I use the yellow" (or whatever colour they have) to model how I want them to speak to each other.

I'm pretty strict with the rules because otherwise it ends up being no fun for anyone. Once your kids have done it a few times they will love and so will you! You'll have that cuppa in peace in no time.

Good luck and let me know how you get on!

G

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