Paint the Toys Kids Art Activity

Need an easy activity for today? Let the kids paint the toys. Trust me.

You’re going to have to blindly trust the Internet lady today: paint the toys is awesome. What a fantastic activity for kids of all ages – getting to paint their toys.

It doesn’t get any simpler or more engaging than this easy activity.

RELATED: Looking for more easy indoor activities? Check out my list full of them – perfect for kids stuck at home.

Why should kids paint the toys?

Because it’s awesome, that’s why.

Paint the toys is the perfect indoor activity – it gives kids a chance to explore and create with paint and objects they might not normally get to explore art with.

It’s kind of like giving a toy a make-over. Only it’s a make-over that’ll rinse right off in water.

RELATED: Need an activities list for your fridge? Worried you’ll run out of ideas for each day? I’ve got you with this FREE PDF.

Won’t the paint ruin the toys?

Use washable paint and plastic toys.

That’s it.

You have to pick toys that are all plastic – no stickers or wood or fabric – and of course, use washable paint.

It is seriously the best activity. It held by kids’ (6.5, 5, and 3) attention for 40 minutes.

That’s a long time when you’re stuck home with kids to suddenly have kids who are quietly working.

Will kids paint everything after they do this?

In a word: no.

Kids are smart. They’re great with context. They understand rules and boundaries.

In fact, by setting up this activity and setting up the parameters to play, you’re telling the child “Yes, you can paint toys but it has to be with me.”

Remember, kids know they can pour water from a bath tub cup but not at the dinner table. Why? Because they’re smart and they know the difference.

They’ll know the difference here too.

RELATED: Looking for tips on how to paint with kids? Check out this blog post on painting!

What materials did I use for painting the toys?

Materials:

• Paint brushes
• Paint (I like this kind of washable paint best)
• Ice cube tray to hold the paint
• Plastic toys
• Storage container to contain the mess

Once the kids were done with this activity… here’s the best part:

Toss the paint-covered kids and the paint-covered toys IN THE BATH

It’s like a two-for-one activity!

First the kids paint.

Then they play in the tub cleaning the paint off.

Win. Win. Win.

Now that is the kind of activity I need in my life right now to help things move along over here.

RELATED: Check out my entire page of quick and easy activities for even more ideas.

Art activities don’t need to be intimidating

This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to paint with kids, and it is ALWAYS a hit at our house.

I hope you’ll let your kids try this art activity soon – it really is a fun time.