Exploring how to move or spread liquids 
This little bub. Gosh, he melts my heart. At 8 months old {and 5 months corrected} now, we’re working hard on building his strength and motor skills and he’s already come so far! According to his physiotherapist, the number one thing we can do at this point to help his development is tummy time. I’m absolutely not a professional, but according to her, it’s sort of ‘the gateway’ to many of the other skills he’ll be working on mastering in the upcoming months.
Now while there are many people, proponents of RIE {a parenting philosophy that I quite adore} included, who advocate for babies moving and developing naturally without being placed into positions they can’t get out of on their own, I do think it’s a different situation in the case of our little Sam. While he’s doing amazingly well for being born at 27 weeks gestation, it’s likely that he wouldn’t be nearly as far along as he is without some of the early intervention he’s had so far. And so, tummy time it is. The key for us is making sure that the time he spends on his tummy is happy and positive, despite the ultimate goal of slowly expanding the amount of time he’s able to spend in the position. When he’s tired or frustrated, we’re done. Simple as that.
The good news is that since figuring out rolling a while back, this guy is constantly on his tummy. We make sure to get down on our tummies and chat and play with him on the floor, but today, with Big Sister at bike camp and Papa out for the afternoon, I decided we’d try something new – a little tummy time painting.
While it’s not at all a new idea {Allison from No Time for Flashcards shared herno mess color mixerspost back in 2008 and MaryAnne of Mama Smiles shared her no mess finger paint post in 2010}, mess-free painting was something Miss G and I did as a table top activity when she was wee, so it was fun to try a new version this time around.
First up, what we used… Some watercolor paper,some paint {while not affordable on Amazon, these shimmer shine paints from Kid Made Modern are oh so pretty!}, a large zip-close bag, and some tape. {I personally would have used a thick painter’s tape had I had it, but clear sticky tape worked just fine too.}
After cutting a piece of watercolor paper to fit inside our zip-close bag, I squirted some paint directly onto the page.
Then I carefully slipped it inside the bag, trying not to smudge the paint along the way {not that it would have been a big deal if I did}.
Then I zipped the bag shut and taped it directly to our wood floor.
With our mess-free painting bag ready, I brought Sam over and placed him on his back right below the bag, knowing that he’d automatically flip over and have a fun surprise waiting for him.
I wasn’t sure what he’d think, but he was actually quite interested in it and began smushing and slapping his little hands over it right away.
The smearing didn’t happen nearly as quickly as it does when doing this activity with a toddler, so we took a little break part way through and did some foot painting too. While not planned, this part of the activity was actually perfect for our Sam. After spending the first 69 days of his life in the NICU and having constant blood draws from his little heels, he’s not crazy about having pressure on the bottoms of his feet {unless it’s in the form of kisses!}, so it’s something we’ve been easing him into.
When he was no longer into it, that was it.
I carefully cut open the sides of the bag so as not to muck up his creation, and lifted it out so it could dry.
And while the purpose of our tummy time painting was learning the process itself, the end result is the baby's very first painting! {Which is most certainly being framed and hung on his nursery wall.
Hydrology in the high chair
Spreading & moving liquids
A while back I collected some great ideas to keep your little ones entertained while in the high chair and it received so much positive feedback that I’ve decided to expand the list with 50 more high chair activities!
In an ideal world you want your baby or toddler to be able to move around freely. The reality of everyday life is that sometimes you need to contain them for those moments when you need both hands!
My babies were always next to me in their high chairs when I was cooking. The result is I now have two kids who love to spend time with me in the kitchen when I cook – that used to be our “talking time” … and still is!
Often I get asked what is the best high chair? In my opinion, I am 400% convinced that the correct answer is: THE ONE THAT IS EASIEST TO CLEAN.
Great painting idea with an edible, taste safe, easy to make paint recipe for babies!
Make a Mini Water Table // Rookie Moms
If you don’t have a high chair with a big-lipped tray table you could always put a shallow tray on a table in front of the chair!
Mess-Free Painting // At Home with Ashley
This is not only a fantastic idea that will entertain while you start dinner but together you can make a special masterpiece!
High Chair Activities: A few tips:
You want to set up activities that are not going to end up on the floor in seconds! Things get thrown and pushed off the high chair table – and often THAT becomes the game – not ideal while you are trying to get something done! So stick things down, clip things on…
A high chair tray table works great, but a kitchen counter/dining table works even better. If the counter and the high chair work at the same height the space on the counter/table is bigger.
ALWAYS keep your baby/toddler strapped in. They learn to stand up in the high chair overnight!!
Some of the activities suggested include things that may be a choking hazard. You need to plan according to your child and their age
Fun ways to move liquids in the high chair
Taste-safe baby paint for a wonderful first painting idea!
Marshmallow stamping with taste safe paint // Hello Wonderful
Mess-free finger painting, create a wonderful gift // eat teach laugh craft
Baby bubble wrap art // Arty Crafty Kids
Edible painting for babies and toddlers // Tales of a Messy Mom
Bubble wrap rainbow painting // Mrs. Plemons’ Kindergarten
Edible paints for baby // Brittany Comeaux
Neon taste safe finger paint // I Heart Arts ‘n Craft
They might like to try using some chunky blocks which are easy for them to hold or trying someWiffle ball art. You could set up some paper plate art, with a selection or colors to choose from or explore with paint and a spiky ball.
Mess-free art is really
popular for babies
For mess-free options, try this clever plastic bag art idea or go forpainting in a can…
Baby Painting is Lots of Fun
Let’s get into the many ways you can go about a simple and easy artwork for babies:
Messy Painting – one of our favorites! Messy painting can be so much fun. You’ll just need a large sheet and taste safe paint for an epic painting.
Mess Free Painting – I’ll be sharing below an awesome way in which you can go about making art for babies in a fun and mess free way. Lots of benefits are involved too.
Sensory Painting – This set of art for babies includes the stimulation of the senses! Think sensory bags, sensory bottles…
There are so many more fun ideas that can go along with easy painting ideas for kids but in this page we will cover the main three up top.
In regards to the types of paint that can be used and that are safe, I strongly 100% suggest taste safe paints!
Related: Here are 3 easy DIY baby painting ideas we used to make edible baby paint using yogurt!
Art for Babies
There are many benefits that are involved, such as:
The stimulation of the senses (see, hear, smell, touch, feel) such as colors, textures, sounds..
Cognitive development – hand eye coordination
Fine motor skills – using the muscles of the hands
Soothing and calming
Sensory Benefits and Experience
Without further ado, let’s get into this massive list of paintings with babies!
Melissa & Doug Spill-Proof Paint Cups - 4…
Painting with Babies Ideas:
Mess Free Ziplock Painting – Arty Crafty Kids
Heart Mess Free Painting – Active Littles
Pumpkin Mess Free Painting– Active Littles
Squishy Textured Paint Sensory Bag– Active Littles
Splat Painting – Arty Crafty Kids
Baby Mess Free Bubble Wrap Painting – Hello Wonderful
Cling Film Art– Messy Little Monster
Mess Free Painting– Messy Little Monster
Bubble Wrap Painting – Sunny Day at Home
Neon Taste Safe Finger Paint – I Heart Arts n Crafts
Rice Paint – Adore Cherish Love
Sponge Painting – Kids Craft Room
Marshmallow Paint – Smart School House
Mess Free Finger Painting – Eat Teach Laugh Craft
Painting in a Jar– Sunny Day Family
Table Top Painting– Hippie House Wife
Paint in a Bag – Life Over C’s
Bottle Painting – Toddler Approved
Mess Free Canva Painting – Adore Cherish Love
Taste Safe Ice Painting – Messy Little Monster
Paper Plate Art – Learn With Play at Home
Clingfilm Art – Made for Mums
Mess Free Art – Laughing Kids Learn
Marble Painting– Happy Whimsical Hearts
Fly Swatter Painting– No Time for Flashcards
Babys 1st Finger Painting – No Time for Flashcards
Making Art – Artful Parent
Window Art– Baby Play Hacks
No Mess Painting– Raising Faye
Body Painting– Choice Parenting
Glass Sponge Painting – No Time for Flashcards
Taste Safe Baby Painting– Active Littles
Some of our favorite tried and true Themed Art for Babies:
Color Mixing Mess Free Painting
How to make Edible Paint 3 Ways
Toddler STEAM Experiences
Art experiences with toddlers are basically science experiments in mixing different supplies, tools and surfaces in new combinations. There are so many ways to learn to make paint or dough unique in every project. We can use their likes and dislikes to modify the set up on their trays so they enjoy the experience more. We can work on mastering certain techniques as their paintings become documentation of their skills on that day.
As they mature they will be learning different ways of moving liquids in different ways, they will begin to become artists. They can learn to embellish their paintings and make it their own. Their eye hand coordination and motor skills are more refined. Plus if you sort their supplies, they can start to select their own materials for trial and error projects.
Open-Ended Ideas with Cotton Balls
Cotton balls are typically a bathroom staple, but did you know that you can use them for art too? These are a favorite art tool because we always have them at our house! Check out these creative toddler art activities to try with cotton balls. You can also use pom poms for these art ideas too if you prefer those over cotton balls!
Here are some easy art projects using cotton balls:
Cotton Ball Splat Painting by Toddler Approved
Painting with Water and Cotton Balls by Happy Toddler Playtime
Painting with Pom Poms by Toddler Approved
Cotton Ball Throw Painting by The Chaos and the Clutter
Cotton Ball Flower Painting by Happy Toddler Playtime
Rainbow Art with Cotton Balls by Simple Fun for Kids
Salad Spinner Ideas
Do you have a salad spinner? Ours has never actually been used with salad, but we do love to do art activities with our salad spinner! If you haven't tried it yet, DO IT! It's always a fan favorite with my infants (and big kids!).
Here are some easy art projects using a salad spinner:
Rainbow Spin Art Painting by Toddler Approved
Spin Art Buffet Bar by Meri Cherry
Spin Art Butterflies by Toddler Approved
Spin Art Rocksby Meri Cherry
Spin Art Pinecones by Naturally Curious Children
Spin Art Heart Suncatcher by Toddler Approved
Cools Ways to Paint
There are so many cool ways to paint! You can pretty much paint with any material... even your body! Here are a few of our favorite ways to paint. I'll bet you can think of a dozen more. Make sure to tell us about your favorite way to paint in the comments.
Here are some easy art activities using paint of all kinds:
Painting on ice by Toddler Approved
Sponge Painting by Days with Grey
Painting with Trucks by Toddler Approved
Finger Paint Color Mixing by Friends Art Lab
Painting with Bubble Wrap by The Artful Parent
Splatter Painting by Toddler Approved
Splat Painting by Toddler Approved
Painting with Dinosaurs by Toddler Approved
Painting with Cookie Cutters by No Time for Flashcards
Paint with sticksby Toddler Approved
Paint with waterby Toddler Approved
Paint with water balloonsby Toddler Approved
Paper Plate Smush Paintingby Toddler Approved
Sensory Science in the high chair
All the paint recipes above totally count for sensory play!! Additionally, if you are prepared to clean up a little mess after, here are a few more wonderful sensory inspired suggestions:
Magic sand for babies incl taste safe make it yourself recipe
Mini rainbow sensory bottles // The Kavanaugh Report
Ocean sensory bag // Kids Activities
Taste-safe slime // Growing a Jeweled Rose
Make a sensory basket for baby // Pastels & Macarons
Rubber duck sensory bag // Happy Toddler Playtime