The Pantry Dish

Being alone with five children all day doesn't always motivate me to bring out the "messy" art because I know what awaits me when they all finish at the same time, but I can't deny such fun!  So I want to share a little secret to anyone out there who is affraid of paint. 

I get it.  Paint IS messy, it gets on your clothes, walls, floor, chairs,.....hair even!  Don't worry.  I have a solution (kinda). 

USE TEMPERA CAKES!! 
I love these!  All you need is some soap and water to clean up the mess and IT IS GONE. 

The package says for children 3 and up but really,......as long as no one is chompin' down on these cakes and taking a mouthfull of paint, I'm pretty sure the kids will be okay. 
Just don't leave the littlest ones alone! 

Simple. 

Children are natural born investigators.  That's how they learn!  Yes eventually it will end up in thier mouths but that's why you're there, to make sure they don't get carried away with it.

She how happy he is :)

Then you get this. 

See how his look went from happy to serious.  He's concentrating on getting back that bowl he was banging on the table.  I had to remove the paper because once he figured out the bowl was more fun, the paper got in his way. 

Don't be afraid to let them decide how they want to use these paints either.  They started out painting on a piece of paper on the table, to painting the bottoms of their feet and making foot prints, to just painting their feet entirely because it felt good. 

Next time I'll just line the floor with large sheets of butcher paper. 

Hmmm...... maybe not.
That might make a bigger mess, or a bigger masterpiece!


FYI...
Have some wet wash cloths ready :)



Here's where you can get them:

Lakeshore Learning