A few months ago, I read a post on painting with water at Intrepid Mumurings. It took me awhile to try it out because I honestly didn’t think my kids would like it. I was SO wrong!
The idea is to supply your kids with a bucket of water and some clean paint brushes, and set them loose on your wooden fence (or deck in our case). When I first presented the kids with their supplies they stood there looking at me like I was a nut. But after I picked up the brushes and painted a bit of the deck, they were eager to copy me.
They were happily occupied for about 30 minutes and when their interest started to wane a bit, I added some dish soap to the water to make bubbles (it’s preferable to use dye-free biodegradable soap). I gave them some plastic stacking measuring cups and a small funnel. My son brought his bike over to play car wash, and they both were happily occupied by the magical bucket of water for another 30 minutes.
One bucket of water kept them going for an hour! This is priceless information I’m sharing. Go out and find a bucket of water, sit back and enjoy.
Have you tried painting with water? How did it work out?
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It’s Wednesday of Few Words time again. If you have a Wordless/Word-full Wednesday post please link up below. (PS. I didn’t get a lot of comments on the issue linky preference [new image vs. old text style]. The comments that I did get were mostly in favour of the old skool way and so that’s what I’m using.)
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It is amazing how creative little minds can be to be occupied for so long with such simple things!
Robyn’s Online World´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Geeky Birds Nest
I haven’t tried water painting but a bucket of water is a smash success at our house, too. If it’s wide enough you can sit in like mini bathtub.
LisaDay
LisaDay´s last blog ..Communication Pet Peeves
That looks like a lot of fun!
Thanks for stopping by the Healthy Moms!
Cascia @ Healthy Moms´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday 6 ft Cherry Tomato Plant
My mom did daycare in our home, and water-painting was always a huge hit – our three year old loves it too! We picked up some Dollar Store house-painting things (trays, rollers, brushes, foam brushes) and often use a coloured bath fizzer to make a few buckes of different colours – another way to extend the play!
Kym @ Twinside Out´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday- View from the Bumbleride…
Not yet, but I’ll keep it in mind! lol…
I want to try that!
GREAT idea! I am now thinking of ways to have my daughter help mop the floors.
~
Sarah @ FFP´s last blog ..Chasing Dusk
I never tried it with my kids, they did have fun with water color paints. but I know my grandsons would love this, anything to do with water, esp the youngest, they love it! thanks for the idea!
woo hoo!
congrats on being a Wednesday winning wizard last week over at my place
Faythe´s last blog ..Burning Rubber
Definitely going to try this on my deck ASAP! Thanks for the idea!
Wendy Irene´s last blog ..Featured Article
I can totally see why this works. I wonder if it will work with giant paintbrushes on the driveway?
I have not tried it yet, but looks like it could be fun! These pictures are great! I am a new follower! Come and visit Mama’s Little Chick. Have a great day!
Mama Hen
http://www.mamaslittlechick.com
This is a great way to have some peace and quite indeed.
Doll Clothes Gal Pal´s last blog ..Photographs into sketches
I have done that with the kids and it works out really well on wood decks like that, because they can really see the difference when it’s wet. Simple and cheap entertainment!
blueviolet´s last blog ..Tuneful Tykes – W-W
I love it! May I steal this fabulous idea?
Fun photos of your babies!
Aloha!
Looks like she is keeping her self hydrated. they are doing a great job cleaning that desk.
Auntie E´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday-Canadian Geese
I am so going to try this! Err…as soon as the thunderstorm passes anyway…
Kimberly´s last blog ..There is Love…
Water in a bucket has kept my four busy on many summer days! Kids just love water!
Mrs.Mayhem´s last blog ..Interview With A Mother
Who would have thunk? Great idea. Happy WW! Thanks for linkin up.
alicia´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday Linky Party- Overcoming Phobias
My son would be so all over that! Plus I love the idea since it wouldn’t involve a huge cleanup. I sometimes let him paint at the kitchen table with water paints & construction paper, but I’m cleaning up paint for several days afterwards!!
Happy WW:)
Pamela´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday Snack Sun Sleep
Yes, my kids love to paint with water! Keeps them entertained with no mess to clean up.
Michelle´s last blog ..Like Mother- Like Daughter
Its important to try things even if you think your kids won’t like it. Ever tried body painting with pudding-they do at Row’s daycare and they love it!
My boys love water, especially if there is a water gun involved! I wish my boys were little enough for water painting. They would have loved it then:)
bluecottonmemory´s last blog ..Happy New Year – Blue Cotton Time
(1) We have done this, and it rocks.
(2) I love that you can see the barrette on E’s dress. Cute!
Amber´s last blog ..Silver Bullet
Yay, thanks so much for the shout out and I am so glad your kids had fun with this! Love the idea of adding bubbles, we will definitely try that next time!
Kristin @ Intrepid Murmurings´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday- Row Row Row Your Boat
You had me at “hour of quiet.” Must find bucket.
Lauren @ Hobo Mama´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday- Breastfeeding by the waterfall
great fun! We had water squirters that we add to that mix. It’s great they were occupied for that long!
And Miles To Go….´s last blog ..In The Attic Of Forgotten Toys
I used to do this when I was little!! I would get a bucket of water at the swimming pool and a big paint brush and paint the pool deck! This just brought back so many happy memories for me. I’m doing this with my kids for sure.
I love Em’s dress!
Salt´s last blog ..Guess who is awesome
Great idea. Looks like fun.
I am so trying this!
They’re adorable! <3
Great idea, too!
Chibi Jeebs´s last blog ..Meal planning my way for @velabronx
It is the little things that keep them happy. Your little ones look so cute playing with their bucket of water!
Lucy´s last blog ..Caroline Manzo and I are Alike- ugh!
Our kids love to do this, too. We also pull out the chalk and they paint and then trace so that as the water dries they have these kind of fun, cool abstractions of what they created left behind. Cute shots! (And so hope we get to meet at BlogHer, by the way!)
Molly´s last blog ..Look Before You Leap Or dont
Oh, they loved it, didn’t they?
We recently painted paper with water. At first, my daughter looked at me like I was crazy and told me she needed color, but she eventually caught on and had fun!
ha! Awesome!
Betsy´s last blog ..Nursing is Normal
hi marilyn,
this is my first time through here. thanks for the chance to share with others! i do have a little wordless wednesday photo up today.
~ ana
ana´s last blog ..wordless wednesday 4