Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Outdoor Canvas

Making a mess with paint can be fabulous fun at any age, but bringing the mess outside is a great way to encourage expression without worrying about the clean-up! And with summer upon us, it is another way to get the kids outside for some sun and fresh air. Here are some ideas to get your kids creating outside:

  • Grab a large bucket of sidewalk chalk and set them loose on the driveway. Nothing forces creativity quite like a blank canvas--especially an outdoor one!
  • Another way to temporarily decorate your driveway is with sidewalk paint. Just mix together 1/4 cup of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water and add a few drops of food coloring. The kids will love it and, best of all, it washes right off. Tip: save used applesauce cups and use them for mixing the paints.
The yellow paint spilled, but it looked interesting anyway.

  • Smooth the sand in the sandbox and have your kids draw in it with their fingers.
  • Gather items from nature (sticks, leaves, etc.) and have your children arrange them as a picture or collage. When you're done, the items can be thrown in the yard waste or compost pile.
Have fun, and don't forget to grab your camera!




2 comments:

  1. This is such a good idea; one I'll be using. It looks so fun I'll be doing it too! :D
    Catherine Denton

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  2. Good for you, Catherine! I think it's best to join in on the fun, rather than just setting the kids loose.

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