It’s a good idea to start painting with a couple of brushes and hands. However as Tallulah grew and became more inquisitive, we started adding various tools of application into her repertoire, just so the fun and exploration continues. You don’t have to do all of that variety to achieve great results with your child’s creative development. Hands and brushes REALLY IS ENOUGH. However, for those moms who want to add more, here is Tallulah’s favourite techniques.

Draw with Sharpies on canvas, before, during or after paint. And even after school just because I want to sneak in some arty times:

Spray liquid acrylic ink (will work from about 2.5 y.0.). Some of them made with different binding to acrylics and create a wonderful resist effect:

Explore variety of brushes: household large, medium and small, plus thin artists brushes:

Pour paint out of squeegee bottle, or out of paper cup or other container:

Give your baby artists palette knife (from 3 y.0.). Tallulah have not yet manage to manipulate it yet, but it’s fun to play with it anyway:

Press printing sheet of paper onto wet paint, lift off, and voila – nice ripply effect is on:

Sponging and stencilling, separately or together, lots of fun:

Rolling the foam roller (they come in different sizes in builders shops and art shops) – your baby will LOVE this:

Paint with your hand:

Paint with your feet:

Paint with your whole body:

But preferably NOT with your head:

Ok, this can happen, and maybe your baby should wear a cap. If it happened, don’t panic. Don’t scream: “oh no!!!”, grab a baby sprint for the bathroom. Gently round off a session within next 10 minutes or so, take baby to bath and gently wash it off with warm water and baby shampoo. It does comes off easily, just don’t leave it on for an hour till its dry-dry. If acrylics got into the eyes and mouth however, act immediately and urgently. Wash it off with plenty of warm water. If necessary – seek medical help. It never happened to Tallulah in 3 years, but in my opinion eyes and mouth should classify as emergency.