18 Painting Crafts for Kids That’ll Totally Save Rainy Days (and Maybe Your Sanity)
Introduction to Painting
Painting is a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. It’s a great way to encourage creativity, self-expression, and imagination in children. With a wide range of painting ideas and supplies available, kids can explore different techniques and styles to create unique artwork. Whether it’s a rainy day or a sunny afternoon, painting is the perfect activity to keep kids busy and engaged. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the world of painting and provide you with some easy painting ideas to get started.
Let’s be honest, we’ve all hunted for fun ways to keep the kids busy at any ages that don’t end in total chaos (or, well, at least not every single time). Painting crafts—full of color, tons of fun, and, let’s admit it, just a little bit messy—are where it’s at.
Painting crafts for younger kids give us a creative outlet and help our child express themselves in awesome painting ideas.
Parenting isn’t picture-perfect, but these painting crafts bring out the smiles, laughter, and those “look what I made!” moments. Whether our kids are budding artists or just in it for the giggles, these ideas are all about enjoying the mess together and making memories.
1) Finger Painting Fun with Non-Toxic Washable Paints
We all remember going wild with finger paint as kids, right? Now it’s our turn to let our kids explore and go wild—and yes, get messy! Finger painting is a classic and easy painting idea that kids love.
Non-toxic, washable paints and craft kits are a lifesaver because they’re safe for tiny hands and super easy to clean up. Sets like Darice washable finger paint come with tons of bright colors.
Clear some space, roll up those sleeves, and let little fingers go bananas on paper because there are endless possibilities!
2) Paint a Rainbow on Paper Plates
Let’s be real, we all have a stack of paper plates hiding somewhere. Why not turn them into your kid’s next masterpiece? Turning paper plates into colorful rainbows is a fun craft that kids will enjoy.
Grab a plate, fold it in half, then snip it down the middle—boom, two canvases! Squeeze out paint in every color and let the kids go wild.
Bright rainbows, messy hands, and big smiles—what could be better? For step-by-step inspo and easy painting ideas, check out this easy paper plate rainbow craft.
3) DIY Painted Rock Pets
Painting rock pets might just be the cutest thing ever! We love grabbing smooth rocks (yard scavenger hunt, anyone?) and turning them into little buddies with some paint and googly eyes.
No rules—just fun. Make monsters, animals, or silly faces for your desk. Painted rock pets also make a wonderful gift for friends and family.
Check out some fun painting ideas for DIY pet rocks if you need inspiration!
4) Sponge Stamp Painting with Household Sponges
Who knew kitchen sponges could become our new favorite art material? Grab a clean sponge, cut it into fun shapes, dip it in paint, and stamp away.
We love seeing the wild blobs and funky patterns the kids create. It’s easy, budget friendly, and honestly, less messy than some projects.
If you want ideas for shapes, check out these simple sponge stamp tips to get started!
5) Bubble Wrap Paint Prints
We all have a secret stash of bubble wrap just waiting to be popped. But what if we used it for art instead?
Bubble wrap paint prints are totally fun and so easy that even the littlest mess-makers can join in. Paint the bumpy side, press it on paper, and bam—instant masterpiece! Bubble wrap paint prints can provide hours of creative fun for kids.
Looking for step-by-step tips? We love these ideas from The Artful Parent.
6) Fork Prints: Make Tree Branches or Grass
Paintbrushes are cool, but have you tried using a fork with food coloring? Grab one from the kitchen and dip it in some paint for instant grass or wild tree branches!
It gives those perfect streaky lines, making the art pop. The kids can experiment, and honestly, so can we! Kids can imagine they are creating a wild forest or a grassy meadow with just a fork and some paint.
Need a little inspo? Check out this fork painted tree craft idea and watch creativity go wild. It’s messy fun with major style!
7) Toilet Paper Roll Stamps for Cute Circles
Empty toilet paper rolls are pure crafty gold, right? Grab one, dip it in some paint, and stamp away for a bunch of cute circles.
The rolls are perfect for little hands to grip. If you want to get extra creative, squeeze the roll into shapes like hearts or ovals for new designs. This activity is perfect for kids of any skill level, making it easy for everyone to join in the fun.
Want more inspo? We love these simple stamp ideas that use toilet paper rolls for tons of shape options!
8) Footprint or Handprint Animals
Let’s talk handprint and footprint crafts—because who doesn’t love a fun activity where we get messy and make a memory at the same time? Just squish a hand or foot in paint, press it on paper, and poof—instant animal magic! These crafts inspire kids to use their hands and feet to create unique and imaginative artwork.
Go wild with zoo animals, or keep it old-school with cute farm critters. There are tons of handprint animal craft ideas floating around Pinterest.
These are perfect for gifting, or just hanging on the fridge so everyone knows we’re the crafty crew!
9) Painted Wooden Magnets Kit
Who else loves cute magnets on the fridge? We can’t get enough!
With a painted wooden magnets kit, we get to paint little animal shapes, add googly eyes, and then actually stick our mini masterpieces up for everyone to see.
This kit usually comes with wooden shapes, brushes, paints, and magnets—no hunting for supplies. It’s colorful, creative, and totally fridge-worthy. Kids will love painting these magnets and displaying them on the fridge.
Check out fun sets like this 18 pcs DIY wooden magnets painting kit for kids to get started!
10) Decorate Your Own Birdhouse
Let’s go wild with color and give those birds a little real estate upgrade! Grab some wood birdhouses, paint, and all your messy energy, then set up shop outside (because no one wants blue paint on the couch). We hope these colorful birdhouses will attract some feathered friends to your garden.
Everyone ends up with something totally unique—there’s no wrong way to decorate. You can find fun DIY birdhouse kits that include everything, so it’s super easy.
And hey, if paint drips, it just adds “character,” right?
11) Plastic Suncatcher Painting with Transparent Paints
Who else loves seeing those gorgeous little pops of color on the window?
We’re all about painting plastic suncatchers because the kids get to pick their favorite shapes and fill them in with bright, see-through colors.
There are so many suncatcher paint kits out there. Many come with plenty of colors and cute designs to choose from.
We found some adorable ones online like these plastic suncatcher kits with bright transparent paint.
The bright colors will glow beautifully in the sunlight, adding a touch of magic to any window.
No need to stress—messes are half the fun for young artists, right?
12) Tissue Paper and Paint Collage
Okay, friends, let’s get those creative juices (and little fingers) moving!
We grab some colored tissue paper, tear it up, and glue it down in wild shapes. No perfect lines needed here.
Once our design is stuck, out come the paints! We add splashes of color right on top.
Sometimes we can even layer tissue and paint for that fancy, artsy look—talk about easy magic!
Kids can learn about colors and textures while creating their tissue paper collages.
Want some inspo? Check out this tissue paper collage demo for quick tricks and ideas.
13) Painted Flower Pots for Garden Lovers
We all love a cute pop of color in the backyard, right?
Painted flower pots are such a fun and creative fun way for our kids to show off their wild side and jazz up boring garden spaces.
Grab some small pots and kid-friendly paints. Let those tiny hands go wild with creativity.
Think silly faces, pretty patterns, or even adorable thumbprint designs.
It’s all about embracing the mess and letting our little artists express themselves.
Plus, these make sweet handmade gifts for Mother’s Day or teacher thank-yous too!
For an extra touch, you can even add fabric to your painted flower pots for a unique look.
14) Mess-Free Water Wow Coloring Books by Melissa & Doug
We all know how wild paint day can get, but these Water Wow coloring books are total game-changers.
Just add water to the magic pen and let those little artists go to town.
No stains, no cleanup, and the colors reappear every time—we’re living for it.
These are our go-to for easy, mess-free fun on the go! These coloring books can provide hours of mess-free fun for kids.
15) Painted Dreamcatchers with Feathers
Let’s bring those sweet dreams to life with painted dreamcatchers, friends!
We can grab some hoops, yarn, and whatever paint colors make our hearts happy while learning new skills. Think funky blues, pinks, or maybe even a splash of gold if we’re feeling extra today.
Adding feathers is where all the magic happens. We can paint them too for that extra pop!
For some more inspiration, check out these DIY dreamcatchers made by kids.
Who knew our bedrooms could get this cute? Painting dreamcatchers is a fun activity for kids of any age.
16) Acrylic Pour Painting with Easy Marbling
Okay, y’all, acrylic pour painting is as easy as it sounds, and it’s super fun with the right material.
We just grab some paint, pour it onto a canvas, and tilt it around. No brush skills needed!
For the marbling magic, we can even roll marbles through the paint to create wild, swirly designs.
Check out this super visual demo of painting with marbles on YouTube for extra inspo.
It’s such a mess, but honestly, the kids adore it—and so do we. No two paintings ever look alike!
17) Puffy Paint Art Using Shaving Cream
Okay, so if you’re looking for a craft that’s both artsy and squishy, our DIY puffy paint with shaving cream is a total win.
We just need shaving cream, glue, and a little food coloring—promise, that’s it!
Mix it all up, and suddenly we’ve got this fluffy, fun paint you can literally pile on paper.
Swirl, dab, make a mess—no judgments here!
Wanna see how easy it is? Check out these tips for shaving cream puffy paint.
Kids love the texture, and honestly, we do too!
This puffy paint is perfect for any child who loves to get creative.
18) Painting with Cotton Swabs for Tiny Details
Let’s be honest—sometimes our brushes are way too big for those tiny, teeny spaces. Cue the cotton swabs!
We can just dip them in paint and dab away like little art ninjas, without needing any complicated instructions.
Seriously, our kids love how easy it is to make dots, lines, and fun patterns.
It’s perfect for those days when we want to keep things super simple but still totally cute. This activity is great for kids of any skill level, making it easy for everyone to join in the fun.
Looking for inspo? Check out some easy cotton swab painting ideas that totally work for all ages.
Painting Ideas for Kids Ages
When it comes to painting ideas for kids, the possibilities are endless. For younger kids, sponge painting and finger painting are great ways to introduce them to the world of art. Older kids can try more complex techniques like watercolors or acrylics. Some fun and easy painting ideas for kids include painting rocks, creating artwork with food coloring, and making unique designs with yarn. With the right supplies and a little creativity, kids can create amazing artwork that they’ll be proud to display. Whether you’re looking for painting ideas for kids ages 4-8 or 9-12, we’ve got you covered.
Why Painting Crafts Are Magical For Kids
Painting crafts aren’t just a way to pass time—they actually make a big difference for older kids in how they grow and see themselves by creating unique artwork.
Painting crafts inspire kids to explore their creativity and express themselves. Let’s dive into what really makes these messy art times so special and how they help our little ones develop confidence and creativity.
Boosting Confidence With Creativity
When our kids get out the paints, they’re not just making a mess—they’re making choices, testing ideas, and learning about themselves.
Every swipe of color or splash of glitter is a tiny act of bravery that can lead to unique designs . They try new things and, little by little, start to believe in their own abilities.
Painting is great for letting kids show their feelings in a way that feels safe and fun, making them excited about their creativity . No one is judging messy brush strokes!
Our kids get to be the boss of their project, which is a huge win for self-esteem.
Even mistakes can turn into something awesome, and that helps them feel proud and confident.
Art lets kids realize they have something unique to offer, adding a personal touch nd we get to watch them shine.
We’ve also noticed that when kids finish a painting, they light up with accomplishment.
Seeing that “Look, I did it!” moment is pure gold.
According to The Tucson Gallery, art activities help kids boost confidence and build important skills, so let’s keep those paintbrushes moving.
Messy Is Good (And Totally Worth It!)
Let’s be real—painting with kids is never clean, and that’s kind of the point, as it captures their interest .
The mess is a sign that they’re using their hands, exploring textures, and getting their brains fired up.
Sensory play, like smearing paint or splattering colors, or even drawing actually helps with brain development and motor skills.
A little chaos is the perfect playground for creativity. With painting crafts, we get to let go of control and give our kids space to just make.
There’s no “wrong” way to paint, so everyone can relax and enjoy the process.
Plus, the giggles—there are always giggles.
Don’t stress those colorful handprints on the table at any ages .
That splatter is science and imagination at work!
Painting is also a go-to for kids who need a break from rules. It’s all about following instructions, trying, messing up, and trying again, and that’s a life lesson wrapped up in rainbow colors.
If you want more ideas for messy, hands-on projects, check out this list of painting crafts for kids.
Tips For Stress-Free Painting Craft Sessions
We know painting time can get wild fast.
With the right supplies and a few tricks, we don’t have to dread the mess or chaos. Using cardboard as a painting surface can also help keep the mess contained.
Must-Have Supplies To Keep On Hand
Let’s be real—half the battle is just being ready with the right materials . We always keep basics like washable paint, sturdy paper, and a cup for rinsing brushes close by.
Seriously, washable everything is your new BFF. We toss out kid-sized aprons or grab old T-shirts (because, why not look stylish while staying clean?).
Painters tape helps stick down paper so it doesn’t slide everywhere, making it ideal for using craft kits . Muffin tins or ice cube trays work great for sorting colors and keeping the mess under control.
Honestly, baby wipes save us all the time for fast fixes. Sometimes we reach for big paint brushes if we want to cover a lot of space, and tiny ones for those little details.
We keep foam brushes, rollers, and sponges in a bin so the kids can pick whatever feels right that day. It’s basically our art toolkit—just a few simple things, but suddenly we look like pro parents.
Easy Clean-Up Hacks Every Parent Needs
No shame—clean-up is the part nobody loves. Let’s make it less painful!
We lay down a plastic tablecloth or old sheet to catch spills and splats. Setting up a “paint station” in the kitchen helps too, since hard floors are way easier to wipe down.
A wet washcloth for each kid is game-changing, especially when combined with scissors for crafts . Little hands can wipe up as they go (or at least give it their best shot).
We use muffin tins for mixing paint or rinsing brushes, which can also be useful for preparing gifts . Afterward, we just toss them in the dishwasher and call it good.
If the weather’s nice, we just take painting outside. No mess, no stress—hose everything down when we’re done.
For even more clean-up tips, check out these ideas on painting with kids without a mess.
DIY Painting Supplies
To get started with painting, you’ll need some basic supplies. These include paints, brushes, canvas or paper, and a palette. You can also experiment with different materials like glitter, stickers, and yarn to add texture and interest to your artwork. For a fun and creative twist, try using household items like sponges, Q-tips, or even vegetables to create unique designs. With a little imagination, you can turn any object into a painting tool. Some popular DIY painting supplies include paint kits, craft kits, and art supplies like markers, crayons, and colored pencils.
Painting Safety and Precautions
Before you start painting, make sure to take some basic safety precautions. Wear old clothes or an apron to protect your clothing from stains, and cover your work surface with paper or a plastic tablecloth. Make sure to use washable paints and keep them out of reach of younger children. It’s also a good idea to have some soap and water on hand to clean up any spills. With a little planning and preparation, you can ensure a fun and safe painting experience for kids of all ages.
Displaying Artwork
Once you’ve created your masterpiece, it’s time to display it. There are many ways to showcase your artwork, from framing it and hanging it on the wall to creating a collage or mobile. You can also use a portfolio or art book to store and display your artwork. For a more personal touch, try decorating a frame or canvas with stickers, glitter, or other embellishments. With a little creativity, you can turn your artwork into a unique and beautiful piece that you’ll treasure for years to come. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or young artist, displaying artwork is a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression in kids.
