crayons paints etc

Hi,

 

I am after some recommendations.  Tom has never really had fun with paints, crayons etc as I am scared he will destroy the house we are renting.  I've seen that crayola have some that only work on certain papers etc or that are "washable".  What is everyone's experience?

I really need to harden up dont I

Lol! It does make a heck of a mess. We have a big old palstic tablecloth that I lay on the grass first then paint on that. If you take wipes, a bucket of water, soap and a towel outside with you, your can clean him up before u come inside again!

We ahvent had any luck with crayons cos Isla eats them. She ate the tops of the crayola toddler crayons too, the ones that are shaped like a ball so they can grip them better.
She has some Dora felt pens but I have to sit with her, and I have to keep warning her if she doesnt keep the pens on the mat, and draw on the paper then I will take them away,..one warning then next offence they are all packed up! Mind you we have disturbingly old and disgusting carpet so it woyldnt really matter, Im just strict cos I dont want her to think its ok to draw on stuff that isnt paper.
You could start with bit sticks of chalk and black cardborard,..less mess!

Edited by Kellz

We cover the area with newspaper or large plastic table cloth, taping it to the ground/table stops it from moving. Dressing in aprons & having washing facities ready for when you are done
Paints I use are non-toxic & washable if brought or finger paint I make with cornflour & washing flakes
Crayons Kal still eats but I have made some big handgrip size crayons which I melted down from old broken bits & he uses them well, with my assistance & reminders not to eat it

nzpiper wrote: I really need to harden up dont I

me too!   the kids very rarely colour or paint because i'm afraid of the mess......must take them outside to paint on the grass

The other thing is, if they aren't given the chance to get to walls etc then you don't have to worry about it, i mean it's not like you'd give it to them and walk off into the other room. with them making a mess in the house, just have that other area like others have said. we always had a messy mat, or i'd stick them in their highchair, celotape the paper to the tray and pass them the brushes etc for painting. we used to fill a cupcake tin with different coloured waters (water plus a few drops food colouring) and use cotton buds in each, i'd hand them the colur they wanted and it doesn't make too much mess, very easy to clean off again too (except red does stain if you use too much). with painting i'd always just strip them off to nappy and have the bath run and everything ready to go before we started so i could just chuck em in there.

in terms of crayons, for little hands nice large crayons are great, coloured pencils are all good too. definately don't move onto feltpens until you know you're safe with them not trying to draw on things. lol.

most of all, have fun, mostly everything comes out in the wash.

if you show them and help them to be creative without making the huge mess then as they get older it gets better. our girls are only allowed to do drawing up the breakfast bar, if there's painting involved its on the lino with a messy mat or preferably outside with their little tables.

Edited by mum2paris

haha cracks me up when people are scared of the mess. Most things are washable now, especially the crayola stuff. But I agree, it's summer let them outside and let them go for it, it will save the walls inside, lol. Also if you have a big paved area get some chalk and let them chalk all over the ground. Then when it rains it all goes away!

The water and paint brushes outside too is always a hit. If they don't learn about making messes etc they'll only do when they get the chance, whether they're 2 or 6!

You can also get the packs of 'invisible' pens that only work in the book that you buy with them.  They are about $15 and it is similar to what we used to have but I havn't been able to find where we just used to paint with water and the colour was already on the book.

I'm a clean freak too I have all the crayons, felt pens, etc stored in a cupboard and they only come out when I am available to supervise - then back in the cupboard when the novelty has worn off for another day. I haven't had the courage to try paints yet Even with all that supervision, our crayons are still the washable variety!!