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!