I am a blog ambassador for Lakeshore and am compensated for my work. I received product free of charge, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. The sweepstakes prize is provided for the winner free of charge from Lakeshore. Don’t miss the Lakeshore Gift Card giveaway at the end of this post.
Painting with Toddlers? Check out these must-haves.
I absolutely love painting with toddlers as a quick anytime activity. It’s a wonderful way to connect, grow, and create, and a simple way to make it to nap time.
But, painting with toddlers can be a daunting task. A daunting, messy task that can be difficult to manage without the right set up.
Making Painting with Toddlers Manageable
The right tools can make painting with toddlers an absolute cinch. After many, many rounds of painting with toddlers, these are my 3 must-haves for painting that make art time a breeze.
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A Painting Apron
Having a painting apron is an art time game changer. Instead of dealing with paint covered clothes or having to undress a toddler for art time, throw an apron over their clothes. You’ve just saved yourself time and a giant messy headache.
The Heavy-Duty Adjustable Vinyl Paint Apron from Lakeshore is the bee’s knees and our absolute favorite. It fits both my 3 year old and my 21 month old, and they feel pretty cool wearing them. I love that they are waterproof and have a mid-section belt to make it adjustable.
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No-Spill Painting Containers
Containers for paint are important for two very different reasons. First: they make set up so easy. You don’t need to squirt paint out or worry about wasting what you do get out. The air tight containers won’t dry out so you’re always ready to paint in seconds.
Second: there’s the no-spill part. These No-Spill Paint Cups & Brushes from Lakeshore keep all the paint in one place. No one runs their hand through a paint covered paper plate or knocks over an open container.
Also a bonus, the color coded brushes mean that even my 21 month old can keep the right brush going into the right colored paint container.
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My Keepsake Portfolio
Once your toddler is done with their masterpiece, there is the inevitable question of what do you save and what do you toss? And more importantly, where do you save it?
We save our art work in this handy personalized My Keepsake Portfolio. It’s slim and stores easily (I keep ours under the couch!). I slip their works of art into the portfolio and hold onto the memories for a lifetime. I love that this can be personalized too so my kids each have their own special portfolio.
Painting with toddlers can be so much fun, but you need to have the right tools for the job. These must-haves from Lakeshore have revolutionized painting at our house. Lakeshore items have a way of doing that – they are expertly made, teacher designed, and kids just love them. Parents do too.
Looking to grab some of these must-haves for your toddlers? Use this 20% off coupon from Lakeshore Learning! To learn more about Lakeshore, find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
$25 Lakeshore Gift Card Giveaway
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Jessica says
Love this!
Colleen says
Awesome items! We need these!
Sarah says
I love these paint containers! I have similar ones but without lids, so the paint dries out. My go to supply for painting is to offer different materials/brushes to paint with.
JoEllen Lasure says
Love these cups! Used them in my preschool classroom when I was still teaching. Must have for us is lots of coverings 🙂 my boys get MESSY!!!
Cari B says
I have never seen these paint cups! These would be a huge time saver with my messy toddler!
Jessica Devins says
Loves this!! I’ve wanted to get my son set up for painting and had no idea where to start. I’m super excited to see this post as now I feel like I know what to do! Thank you!!
Trisha Graber says
Yeah, I’m going to need to start following you now!! ? Dylan is a ways away from painting but this is AH mazing
Caroline Bailey says
Oh these are great ideas as I’m just becoming brave enough to do paint at home!
Georgina says
Baby wipes for quick clean-up LOL!
Beckie says
I need other adults when we paint! Power in numbers!
Emily Logue says
My toddler is also paint obsessed! My must haves include drop cloths and tape and while we usually do our painting outside due to the mess but with Fall upon us in the Pacific Northwest (and a 3 week old)….we are forced to paint inside for the next 7-8 months so these will be lifesavers for us this year! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Amy Sivley says
We have these paint cups and love them too! We’re also mega fans of the keepsake portfolio for each of my 4 kids. My only gripe is that they don’t close up. Those puppies are not allowed to fall off the shelf and dump! Therefore, they’re kept up high at all times so tha kids can’t mess with them. These aprons look like QUALITY and I might just need to buy some for my homeschool co op activities!
Paula says
I love this! Those look like total lifesavers! I never let my son paint without baby wipes on hand to clean hands, the table etc. lol
Jenny says
My must have supply when painting with my toddler is patience. Haha! We use washable paint so it’s OK if it gets on his clothes, the table,the floor, etc. He loves to paint on our easel and I have the no spill paint containers on our Christmas list!
Allison Ann Buchman says
Love this! The containers are genius!
Alis says
I think you are my favorite! Your posts are always helpful and my kids love them!
Seasons Family Centre says
These Are great products! Especially the no spill paint cups – could use 100 of them!
Courtney Rogers says
Love these ideas! Especially the keepsake! Such an awesome way to keep their artwork! Entering the giveaway now!
luan37 says
I have to admit I never do art project at home because I’m afraid of the mess and commitment. But these tools seem really cool.
One question though. Do you truly believe these are the best out there or only because you were chosen to sample that specific brand?
busytoddler says
I really truly believe in this brand. When I was a teacher, Lakeshore was The Store to buy all things education/kid related from. I never shopped any where else! Now as a mom, it’s a full circle moment for me to be a brand ambassador for a company that I’ve bought so much from!
Lindsey P says
Yes! Those aprons are a must!
Meredith W says
Enough paint! I always seem to be out of everyone’s favorite colors 🙁
Natalie says
Paint shirt for sure. But looking at that apron, I’m thinking Christmas gift! I love that it has sleeves so it really does cover all their clothes!
Heather says
Must have a hose to wash him off. We paint outdoors!
MommaMei says
I didn’t know those spill-proof cups existed! My son LOVES to paint but I dread the mess every time! Really looking forward to picking up a few of those. Thank you for this amazingly helpful post and everything else you share!
Linda says
Love all these great products and tips. Thanks Auntie Denise Hogg. Great things for Henry!
Jenny says
Great ideas! My LO is 15 months so we have nothing and I love the guidance.
Tessa Molter says
So awesome! I definitely need no spill cups for my wild man.
Kristen W. says
I love the idea of a folder to hold things in! I need that! Currently all the “crafts” are in a pile on the table and he’s only 2 so I can only only imagine how much more we’ll have! And those paint cups! Genius!
Elizabeth magdaleno says
Definitely want to try those paint cups! Who doesn’t love mess free painting?!?
Elizabeth magdaleno says
Oh my! Those painting aprons look awesome! They can even be used for outdoor water play!
Callie says
My son LOVES to paint!! He requests it ALL of the time and it is nearly impossible to resist but I do hate the mess that it makes. He gets paint everywhere (thank goodness for washable paint!) and it can be a pain to clean up, but we paint outside and use LOTS of wipes to scrub everything down when he’s finished creating his masterpiece 😉 These paint containers are genius and I am heading over to their website now to purchase! Thanks for sharing!
Alicia says
I’m not sure how to tell that I’ve entered…
Meagan H says
When painting with my toddler (on the oh-so rare occasions), I always put a vinyl tablecloth under his chair/table to protect our carpets. 🙂
Debbie K says
Plastic table and floor covers
TGroman says
Those no-spill paint cups look great! I have to get those! The last time we painted, we ended up with a lot of very messy hands and paint that all swirled together on a paper plate. These would make it so much easier!
busytoddler says
You’re the winner, Tiffany!! Lakeshore will email you with the eGift Card details. The no-spill cups really are fantastic and have been a major upgrade for me from paper plates!
Sarah Johnson says
Plastic and soap!
Jessica O says
These are great ideas, my toddler loves to paint!
Karina says
washable paint is a must have
Karen Schwartz says
I love the no spill paint containers. I use them in my classroom!
Jo Anne Murphy says
I love the smocks!
priya says
Lovely list you have got there. I didn’t know that there were no spill containers available. Would love to own them.. thanks for the list. Have a great day!
Tracey Kida says
Good information. Love the cups
Brandy says
Paintbrushes for each container, like these.
Sarah J. says
This info is great! Thank you. Maybe I missed it, but what paint do you recommend?
busytoddler says
I just use good old Crayola washable tempera!