They say parents often need to think ‘outside the box’.

Today I’m suggesting that you let your child paint within one!

Painting is fun and fabulous, an activity that many kids find really special. We may not always have an easel set up or palette ready to go, or even the willingness to clean up afterwards, but we really should offer opportunities for our young ones to paint at home - and not just leave painting as an activity for kinder or crèche. I’ve often talked about using non-traditional art materials, as it seems to me that many everyday household objects can easily be re-deployed to put a fun and creative spin on painting.

Over the years many parents have mentioned to me that their child prefers blocks and cars to drawing and painting. Different children respond to different activities, they’re all unique and that’s absolutely fine. But what if these activities were to overlap? Using things such as blocks, cars and balls to apply paint can sometimes light a creative spark in youngsters who’ve felt uninspired by pencils and crayons.  

If the thought of messy paints makes you shudder, fear not. Sure, painting can be messy, but this is where a box comes in handy. Collect a fruit box, the type of low-sided sturdy box used by supermarkets to transport things like bananas, mangoes and apples. They’re an ideal size for storing clean paper flat, or for drying wet artwork. They can even become a folio for finished artwork, and can be tucked away under a bed or cupboard.

Fruit boxes also make a sturdy tray for fun and messy painting… be it dribbling, splattering with a toothbrush, or rolling with marbles. When you can offer messy materials within the box you’re able to contain the wet painting surface and any wet objects. If you use kid-safe washable paints and have a tub of soapy water ready to go you can drop painty objects into it as soon as your child is finished, and wipe off messy fingers too.

Painting within a box

1. Find the perfect spot to paint… a shady nook outdoors, on the ground or a low table.

2. Place a sheet of paper flat into the fruit box (secured with tape if the box will be tilted for rolling a ball for example).

3. Drop a blob or two of paint directly onto the paper.

4. Offer your child a couple of random painting tools. You might choose from…

• A ball (or even marbles for older children who won’t pop them into mouths)

• Blocks - plastic Duplo or Lego are perfect and make fun circle shapes when stamped

• Toy cars (plastic cars in simple shapes are easiest to wash)

• Playdough tools (a plastic rolling pin is lots of fun)

• Old toothbrush, shaving brush or dish brush

• Sticks

• Forks

• Spray water bottle

• Plastic cards (maybe not your current credit card tho!)

Let your young artist go for it, experimenting with paint and making marks anyway they wish. Replace the paper as required. Toss any paint-covered objects into the tub of soapy water, then let them dry off in the sunshine. Let the box dry off too, and it will be ready to use some other time.

Repeat, for some more colourful fun.