Paint the Toys
Plastic animals in a tub of paint, then a bath to wash it all off.
- Ages
- 18 mo–5 yrs
- Play
- 15–30 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Mess
- messy
- Energy
- calm
- Where
- at the table
You’ll need
Mostly things you probably have at home.
- washable paintGet it on Amazon
- plastic toys that can be washedGet it on Amazon
- a tub or trayGet it on Amazon
Optional
- paint brushesGet it on Amazon
- dish soap for the washGet it on Amazon
- paper for printsGet it on Amazon
How to play
Squeeze some paint into the tub and put the toys in.
Let them paint the toys with brushes, fingers, or by rolling them around.
Ask what color the elephant should be today.
When they are done, fill a second tub with warm soapy water.
Wash every toy clean. The washing often lasts as long as the painting.
What it helps with
Make it different next time
- Stamp the painted animals across paper to make footprints.
- Paint toy cars and drive them along a long strip of paper.
Cleanup: Wash the toys straight away, before paint dries in the cracks.
Three more like this
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Bubble Wrap Prints
10–20 min 18 mo–6 yrs Some mess- a sheet of bubble wrapto buy
- washable paintto buy
- paper
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10–20 min 15 mo–4 yrs Low mess- a cardboard box
- a marker to draw the face
- monster food: pom-poms, rolled socks or soft balls
- Good for siblings
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Play Dough Birthday Cakes
15–40 min 2–6 yrs Some mess- play doughto buy
- drinking straws cut short for candles