9
The Tub
Posted in Bits and Pieces, Things to doMaybe it’s because I’m in the Pacific Northwest; maybe I just like being creative with my kids, but I wanted to share my Art Box (“The Tub”) contents with you and hopefully inspire some rainy day fun and indoor creativity.
While most of the contents are messy art fun, I do have a small arsenal of quiet, clean activities in the box also. It’s quite a list, so get ready. The contents have been accumulated over a 3-4 year span.
Start with a 66 quart latch box (an under-the-bed type box could work also). Get ready to add:
- plastic artist’s palette. Good for squeezing small amount of paint into.
- washable markers
- crayons
- color wonder pens
- watercolors
- finger paint
- washable kids paint
- sponge/dot paint (good for the little guys)
- construction paper
- watercolor paper
- color wonder paper
- foam paper
- foam stickers
- pom poms
- feathers
- googly eyes
- self stamping stamps
- glue sticks
- white glue
- glitter glue (my all time favorite kid craft!)
- jewels and/or sequins
- asst. paintbrushes (big, little, foam)
- aprons!
- plastic tablecloth (either the tablecloth or an oil cloth can be used on the table or floor or one of each to catch the messes)
- oilcloth
- plastic cups with lids (like the ones from Red Robin b/c the lids have straw holes that make great rinse cups for the paint brushes)
- kid-safe scissors
- pony beads and pipe cleanser for making bracelets
- colored stones with little bowls and plastic spoons for scooping and pouring
Whew! This is my most treasured box. It is great fun to see the kids get excited when I pull this box out of the closet. There are so many options and I’m sure I will continue to add as long as my kids like gluing and painting and stamping and sticking and CREATING!
- posted by Kindermusik mom Heidi Forrester, who hopes others will share their creative crafting treasures!
QUICK LINKS
Here’s a suggestion for another addition:
wide double sided clear tape (such as Scotch).
It’s a great thing for very young artists. If a grown-up applies the tape to the paper, then even a toddler can place pom poms or other objects on the tape and have them stick.
Great ideas Heidi! When I saw the title, I thought “Bath Tub” – so I thought I’d share that the bath tub (with no water added) is the perfect place for a messy little artist to create. When they are done creating, remove the art materials and add the water to clean them off and then for more fun…water play!
I always let my kids paint with fingerpaints while taking a bath (because that paint is thicker, and will not get too think even after the water that invariablly gets into the cup). Then, use the water from the bath for easy cleanup!
Analiisa
Love the sticky tape idea. I also let the kids use almost empty rolls of scotch or masking or painters tape for things. I also like the fingerpaint in the tub idea. Gonna do that one tomorrow. In fact on really crummy weather days bath time is in the afternoon for fun!