35 min
Giant Floor Drawing
Tape a huge sheet of paper to the floor and let them draw on their hands and knees.
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Painting With Water
A bucket of water, a decorating brush, and a whole wall to paint.
Zero mess, zero cost, and toddlers will do it for forty minutes. It evaporates, so they can start again.
What you need
- a bucket of water
- a large decorating brush or sponge
How to do it
- Half fill a bucket with water and put it on a paved area.
- Give them the biggest brush you own.
- Let them paint the wall, the fence, the paving, anything outside.
- Point out how the first patch disappears while they work on the next.
- Refill the bucket when it runs out and let them keep going.
Why this is good for them
Large brush strokes on a vertical surface build shoulder and arm strength, which is the foundation that later fine-motor control sits on top of. The fact that it vanishes removes any pressure to make something good.
Adapting by age
18 months to 2 yearsA sponge is easier to hold than a brush at this age.
5 to 7 yearsChallenge them to write words before the first letter evaporates.
Keep it safe
Supervise around buckets of water. Empty it as soon as you finish.
Cleanup tip
It cleans itself.
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