Fun Painting Activities for Kids: Preschool to 10 Years

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• Let Creativity Take Root in Preschoolers! (3-5 Year-Olds)
• More Structured Painting Activities Kicks in (5-7 Year-Olds)
• More Complex Colorful Journey (7-10 Year-Olds)

What is good parenting about? Taking care of a child, loving a little one unconditionally, and letting the kid’s creative juices flow non-stop. According to “A Study into the Effects of Art Education on Children at the Socialization Process,” it’s through art that children will “improve their personality and nurture them with aesthetic values of the future life” that will enable them to “contribute their professional and social lives.” At Child-Universe, we do our best to help every kid develop healthy personality features. While the love and support are totally on you, we’ve got you covered with simple painting activities for kids that they can cope with in no time and actually enjoy the process.

Let Creativity Take Root in Preschoolers! (3-5 Year-Olds)

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Art is not only about aesthetics. It’s a powerful tool to fuel up emotional, cognitive, and motor skill development in pumpkins. At this age, they’re still exploring the world, and painting is a great navigator. In such cases, all the activities should be both entertaining and purposeful while involving easy-to-use tools and focusing on simple concepts.

• Preschool name art activities. Write your kiddo’s name in huge letters on a piece of paper. Now, provide them with an assortment of paints (the more colors, the better!) and let them fill letters with the colors they pick. It encourages creativity and independent color choices and helps identify letters.  
• Finger painting. When in need of easy paintings for boys and girls, get a pack of non-toxic, washable paintings and let them show their talents through sensory exploration, experimenting with colors, and some mess, of course.
• Body tracing art. Kids love it! Trace your fidget’s body on a large piece of paper on the floor. Provide them with paints and other accessories. Ask them to decorate with all the components, like clothes, facial features, hair, jewelry, etc.
• Nature paint brushes. Searching for outdoor art activities for preschoolers? Go on a nature walk to collect flowers, herbs, leaves, feathers, and other items that, you believe, make good prints. Attach them to sticks to have “brushes” children can use to create whimsical textures on paper.

More Structured Painting Activities Kicks in (5-7 Year-Olds)

At kindergarten and early elementary stage, a bit of planning is a must. Munchkins are eager to experiment with various tools and stick to more structured painting pursuits.

• Q-tip paintings. Simple dots can work magic! At this age, children can control the amount of paint they use and create funny patterns as a result. Let them have a good time with a bunch of Q-tips dipped in different paint colors, and encourage them to unleash their creativity. Get more info on cultivating your kid's creativity in our СhildUniverse blog.
• Watercolors + salt. When they’re busy with watercolors, get some salt and sprinkle it over the wet areas on the scene they created. Here’s the trick: the sail will absorb the paint, and you two will have incredible patterns.
• Sponge painting. Get ready to get messy! Dip a sponge into the paint previously poured onto a plate. Create the desired design by dabbing the sponge onto the paper (use as many sponges and colors as possible!). In this case, children playing painting games can also learn to clean once the fun is over.
• Blotto printing. Have your kid blob blots of paint and squeeze paint between paper layers. Now, open up the layers to see the chefs-d'œuvres with imaginary creatures. Wow!

More Complex Colorful Journey (7-10 Year-Olds)

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Based on the “Developmental Trends in the Creativity of School-Age Children” article, “after entering school, a slump in creativity occurred at ages 7 to 8, with a creative peak

at 10 to 11 years old.” For this reason, painting activities for 8 year olds and kiddies around this age should include techniques that require a higher dose of creativity and focus.

• Geometric tape-resist painting. Excellent opportunity to experiment with patterns, colors, and shapes! Let them stick strips of painter's tape onto the canvas the way they like. Press strips firmly. Paint over the entire canvas and wait until the paint is 100% dried. Peel off the tape to reveal a stunning and quirky design.
• Self-portraying. Painting activities for 10 year olds can include observation and self-reflection. That’s why expressing their unique personality and style is possible through creating a self-portrait. They learn to capture details and experiment with colors and imagination. Let them know that in the world obsessed with physical beauty, the real one comes from within.
• Rocks! If they’re tired of paper, get some rocks from the garden or beach and ask them to paint whatever comes to their minds, from little faces to logos and words. If the paint is waterproof, get this décor back to the garden!
• Balloon dart art. Looking for paintings for 10 year olds to enjoy outdoors? With a pack of small balloons, white canvas, plastic darts, paint containers, and a few other ‘ingredients,’ you can create a mess that will get y’all giggling!

When choosing the most suitable painting activities for the next generation, ensure they fit a young' un's age and developmental stage. When the times of peek-a-boos and wooden toys for toddlers is over, you can tailor projects to suit the interests of older children to get them both challenged and entertained. Your task is to create a fertile environment where pumpkins find support, freedom, and inspiration in their creative endeavors.