Children are mesmerized by the translucent, vivid colors that watercolor painting can offer. Watercolors are easy to set up and are less messy than tempera paints. Using watercolors, children learn to appreciate the wonderful variations while layering colors on top of one another. Unlike tempera paint, watercolors sink into the paper and blend to create unique patterns. When used on a wall mural, colors drip in long wiggly lines, crossing over other colors to create new ones.

I like to offer liquid watercolors diluted with water in clear spray bottles. The act of spray painting is so engaging for children, offering an opportunity for them to develop fine motor coordination.  One way to offer spray painting to your child is by bringing some clean spray bottles into the bathtub. Fill the spray bottle with water and a tiny bit of food coloring or soap and let them help you clean the shower walls!  Another fun option in the winter is to go on a Snow Painting Walk by spraying freshly fallen snow with bright, diluted liquid watercolors. Coloring the winter wonderland is a great way to get children outside in the colder weather .

Another way to offer liquid watercolors is in reusable bingo markers, brush wands, eye droppers or sponge applicators. Just dilute the liquid watercolor with water and cover a small table with paper and let your child explore all of the marks they can make. Show them how the bingo markers can hop across the table like a bunny rabbit or stomp like an elephant. Ask them to explore long marks and short marks or slow and fast marks. Fill some small bowls or jars with diluted liquid watercolor and cover a small table with paper, wrapping the paper around the edges of the table and securing with masking tape. Children are so much more engaged with the paint when they are able to dip their fingers in the paint and mix the colors with a brush.

Lastly, you can offer bleeding tissue paper cut into small shapes with a brush and a small bowl of water. The bleeding tissue itself (which can be purchased at an arts & crafts store… it’s not the kind you find in the gift wrapping section!) can be pasted to the paper with water and a brush. Try layering the different colored tissue on top of one another and watch the tissue paper bleed into the paper and layer to create new colors. It can look a lot like stained glass in the end. The best part is that it is a fairly self-contained project requiring little clean up. You just need bleeding tissue, a brush, water and paper! If you are adventurous, you can offer spray bottles filled with water with a tiny bit of liquid watercolor. For a less messy option, just fill the spray bottle with plain water and the colors in the tissue will work magic all by themselves.

And remember…there is no right way to paint. Try not to over-manage your child as they create–let them take the lead. Sit back and watch as their curious mind explores the many unique marks they can create on their own.

If you are interested in joining a Creative Explorations class this winter, please visit our website for more information and class availability. You can also view my profile to learn more about me, my background, and the classes I teach.