Toddler art may begin with crayons, finger-paints, and clay, but there are countless other materials and techniques your toddler can explore. Try the following, then create a few of your own.
Crayon. For some two-years-old, chunky crayons are still the easiest to grasp and manipulate, but many prefer to standard “thin” crayon. Taping down the drawing paper still helps to minimize frustration, but you can also use an easel. If you’re using a roll of newsprint for drawing paper, you can tape a large sheet of it to the kitchen table and have your toddler create a mural, which you can then hang on the bedroom wall.
Finger painting. This old nursery school standby is a favorite with toddlers who derive tactile pleasure from squishing their fingers through gooey paints. Some toddlers however, resist finger painting because they dislike the messy feeling of paint on their fingers. Don’t push it. Another, cleaner option: “finger painting” with shaving cream or a foam soap in the tub (but supervise so the artist doesn’t rub the cream in his or her eyes)
Brush painting. In the third year, many toddlers enjoy painting with a paintbrush and tempera paints. A brush with a thick handle is easier to hold than a slender one, and yields a bolder, more satisfying stroke. If you buy large jars of paint, pour small amounts of each color into small, unbreakable containers that your toddler can dip the brush into. To minimize spills, cut a hole the size of each paint container in a thick sponge, then place the container in the hole. An upright easel, with a place for the paints, makes painting easier and less messy. For an intriguing mirror image effect, have your toddler paint just one side of a piece of paper (fold the other side under so paint wont stray). When the work is done and while the paint’s still wet, fold the black side of the page over the painted side and press down
Sponge painting. Sponges that come in animal shape ordinary kitchen sponges that you can cut into fanciful shapes, dipped in a bit of tempera paint and pressed onto paper, make an interesting medium that’s easy fir little fingers to manage. You can also turn a piece of sponge into a “paintbrush” by attaching a clothespin to one end. Other interesting alternatives to paintbrushes: cotton swabs, feathers, old toothbrush, or nail brushes
String painting. Take several strings of different widths and have your toddler dip them in paint, then drag them across a large sheet of paper
Water painting. For outdoor artistic fun, give your toddler a bucket of plain water and a big brush to use to “paint” the sidewalk, the driveway, even the house.
Vegetable printing. Cut root vegetables onto chunks your toddler can dip into tempera paint, then press against paper making interest paints. This may appeal to older toddlers more than young ones
Rubber stamping. Store-bought rubber stamps in animal and alphabet shapes are fun for older toddlers – but be sure this activity is well supervised, or you may find your entire home “decorated”
Rubbings. Place a piece of white paper over an object that has an interesting texture – a piece of bark, for instance. Then have your toddler rub a crayon back and forth firmly on the paper for a fascinating effect
Chalk. Chunky pieces of chalk in bright colors are irresistible to most toddlers. A combination chalkboard-easel. Enables a child to paint on one side and use chalk on the other. If you don’t have a chalkboard, let your toddler create chalk murals on the side walk, front step, or on asphalt at the park. Chalk can also be used on construction paper; black paper holds chalk well and your toddler may be thrilled at finding that something finally “shows” on a black background
Pencils, pens, and markers. Part of the appeal of these implements to toddlers is that their parents and other siblings use them. But since pencils can poke eyes and other vulnerable areas, and inks can be though to wash off should your toddlers spontaneously decide to do some body painting, these should be used only under careful supervision. To reduce potential damage, but only nontoxic, washable markers (again, the thick ones are easier for a toddler to grip), and don’t leave any of these tempting implements within your toddler’s reach
Coloring books. Traditional coloring books are not recommended for regular user by toddlers. First of all, they do not tend to encourage creativity, except in the use of color. And secondly, though same toddlers enjoy “coloring”, others are exasperated by their inability to stay within the lines. For older children, look for more creativity of coloring books, such as those that challenge readers to draw a part of the picture. When your toddler does use a coloring book, don’t set standards, such as staying in the lines or using conventional colors. Allow and encourage creativity freedom
Book making. If children are old enough to scribble, they’re old enough to become authors. Do fold a few sheets of paper in half and staple them together to make a book. Add a construction-paper “cover”. Then let your toddler illustrate it. You can even offer to write a word, dictated by your young author, to go with the pictures. Books can also be filled with toddler’s favorite photos, or with cut-outs from old magazines
Cylinder pictures. Take any drawing your toddler’s done, and roll it into cylinder, taping the two ends together where they meet. Your toddler may enjoy the new perspective this shape gives to his of her art. Of course, if you get objections to the rolling, drop the idea
Collages. With this medium, anything goes Bits of fabric, feathers, macaroni, beans, seeds, beads, and buttons, magazine picture – just about any lightweight household material can be glued (with supervision and nontoxic washable glue) onto a sturdy piece of construction paper, oak tag, or cardboard to form a collage. A trip to the park can yield innumerable materials for a nature collage: leaves, acorns, small pine cones, and rocks, though too heavy for collage use, can be painted or otherwise decorated and/or become a base for a collage. With household discards (cardboard tubes form paper towels and toilet tissue, empty spools, corks, empty matchboxes) glued vertically onto a piece of cardboard or other sturdy base, your child can build a surrealistic city. When the is glue is dry, turn your toddler loose with the tempera to paint the town red (or any other favorite colors)
A note on glue use. Small children are skilled at overdoing the glue – using so much that their work takes days to dry. Don’t spoil the fun by taking over gluing process; there’ll be less mess but also less learning. You may, however, discourage some of the glue abuse by providing squeeze bottlers of glue, paper cups or jars filled with just a little glue (which can be applied with a cotton swab or popsicle stick), jars of paste that come with an applicator, or a glue stick (probably the least messy)
A notebook. Provide your toddler with an unlined, spiral-bound notebook to scribble in to his or her heart’s content – most young artist derive enormous satisfaction from filling the pages. A notebook is easy to tuck into your tote bag, and the end result is easier to save as a memento than a sheaf of loose pages
Food. Let your child’s plate be his or her palette. Under your supervision, have your toddler design miniature pizza faces, pancake faces with raisins and banana slices, a landscape with raw vegetables and dips, or crate a cottage cheese sundae surrounded by a colorful montage of fruits
