Painting is a fun and brilliant way to help kids stay engaged and express their creativity. It helps kids to explore their emotions and allows them to find a way of expressing themselves. Like fidget toys, painting can help to relieve stress and anxiety.

There are various types and styles of painting to help your kids explore, and in this article, we will show you eight painting ideas for kids to try. Wondering how to help your little ones find their inner Picasso? Keep reading:

Scrape Painting

Scrape painting is a fun way to improve your kids’ fine motor skills. It’s also effortless to do, and it doesn’t take a lot of time to put together. You will need:

  • A sheet for painting – sulfite paper, cardboard, or watercolor paper
  • Paint
  • A tray or cookie sheet
  • Make-shift scraper – credit card, store card, any flat object

Put or pour the paint on the sheets, and let the kids get creative with their scrapers!

Dot To Dot Painting

Dot painting is an entertaining painting style that your kids will love and enjoy. It isn’t only great for expressing creativity, but it is also great for developing fine motor skills. You will need:

  • Paint or sketch pens
  • White sheet

Kids can make beautiful patterns of different colors with dots spread across the white sheet. If they want, you can use a colored sheet as well.

Handprint Painting

Handprint painting is a typical art style for kids to explore. It doesn’t take much to put together. All you need is some paint, a sheet, and the artist’s hands. Put some paint on their hands and let them make art by pressing their hands onto the sheet.

DIY Spin Art

Spin art is a sure way to have your young ones squealing with delight. If you don’t have a spin art machine, you can quickly put one together with everyday household items. It’s best to put this together outside as things could get messy. You will need:

  • A CD
  • Paint in squeeze bottles
  • Marbles
  • Marker cap
  • Glue or hot glue gun
  • Container to put the paint
  • Paper towels

At the hole in the center, glue the marble to the CD. Turn the CD over and glue the marker cap to it, and voila! You have your tops ready. To make the art:

Spin the tops in the container of paint.

As it turns, squeeze paint on the top and watch the color fly outward and onto the canvas or sheet.

Add more colors to make the painting more colorful.

Spray Bottle Painting

Spray bottle painting is a fun painting style to introduce to your kids. Mix some paint with water in spray bottles and show them the blank white canvas. They’ll know what they need to do!!

Rock Painting

Rock painting is an activity as old as time! It doesn’t make it any less fun, though. This classic kid’s activity is easy and quick to do. All you need is:

  • Smooth and relatively flat rocks or stones
  • Acrylic paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Water to clean the brushes

A pro tip is to wash and dry the rocks and then paint them white. The white base makes the colors pop better. You can paint bugs, fruits, and even cute little cartoon faces.

Cup Painting

Use disposable cups to create beautiful murals. Dip the rims of the cups into paint and impress onto a canvas or sheet.

Cotton Ball Painting

Your little ones may or may not be familiar with using cotton balls to paint. Either way, it’s always a fun way to create beautiful pieces. You’ll need cotton balls, paint, and a sheet to paint on.