I got the idea for this activity from the May issue of Family Fun. We put some washable paint into ziploc bags, added a little water (mainly because we were running really low on paint in the requested colors), sealed them, and started to play. Emma practiced writing letters, while Johnny smushed the paint around randomly until he discovered he could use his dinosaurs to make footprints and lines:
We’ve had these out for about a week (it has not yet occurred to my children that they could open the bag and make a mess), and Emma in particular has found lots of ways to experiment with them. She has tried looking at pictures through a thin layer of paint, and stepping on the bag to get an impression of her foot.
I think my girls would love these, but I do wonder how quickly they’ll think of opening the bags. I think I might try some today.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by WhyBugz, maryanne. maryanne said: No-mess finger paint http://goo.gl/fb/UQMVA [...]
love this. I have wanted to do something like this but never get around to it. must do it now.
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Hm – wonder why you were running low on paint in the requested colours? LOL! This looks like a fantastic activity – one even I might be brave enough to try. :)
.-= Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..giant potato feeds family of five =-.
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I always wanted to try this – it looks less messy than I thought it might be. Thanks for inspiration!
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Thanks Mary Anne, I’ll definitely be trying this out next week with Jack!
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I think if I do this I’ll use the heavy-duty freezer bags… I see my daughters trying to poke holes in the bags.
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maryanne Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
@Quadmama – Good point. I think the ones we used were freezer bags, they were pretty thick.
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Awesome :) I gotta try this:)
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I LOVE this idea! I could have used it during our quarantine. Fortunately, our paint washes out easily. :)
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I think we did this once upon a time for a color mixing lesson. I think I’ll try it again (maybe super glue the bag shut, lol) and see if Matthew takes to it like your kids have. Thanks for a great idea!
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what fun!
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What a great idea! :-) Thank you for sharing!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Note to Self =-.
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cute idea!
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Another less mess idea is to open up your dishwasher door and squirt a little washable paint and let the kids play. When done shut the door and put on wash cycle. Saw this on the Rachel Ray show and couldn’t believe it worked. Just have to keep an eye on the kids for running off.
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What a great idea! Love the dino footprint idea too. Would be really fun mixing lesson like Nicole mentioned.
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Wow! I LOVE this idea!!!! :) Right now I feel so bad that I really do not let the kids finger paint b/c it gets so messy w/ my 3 kids – thanks for such an awesome idea!
.-= Jackie @ 3 Little Ones´s last blog ..Green Greeting Cards =-.
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I love this idea! I have used this as a color mixing activity for little ones with sensory issues.
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I think kids love being dirty in general because it’s lots of fun not caring about paint splattering all over them. I think it’s cute until you have to give them a bath and they start being sad.
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Fantastic idea! I am going to try it—but I am sure that my boys will open the bags.
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