I plan. Materials are sourced. The stage has been set. The invitation to play has been accepted. Game on. A few short minutes after play commences, the phrase “What was I thinking?!” rambles repeatedly in my head or through my mouth, I know not because I’m consumed by the disaster of my planned activity.
Such scenarios are not rare. Somewhere along the line, I got too ambitious and concocted a play scenario that doesn’t meet my kids where they are at. My expectations crumble miserably into a gloomy heap.
I am humbly reminded yet again to keep it simple.
I’m sure painting with water is as old as time, but I first saw this over at
Sassy’s Sanity. It is so easy and fun.
Materials to source: small bucket/cup; water; paint brush; outdoor pavement.
Set the stage for play: Fill the small bucket/cup with water and place a generous sized paint brush in the bucket/cup. Watch your children accept the invitation to play. Let the games begin!
You could vary the play by:
- adding glitter, food colouring or paint into the water;
- using chalk instead of a paintbrush;
- drawing with dry chalk first then painting over it with water;
- instead of painting on the pavement, paint on the fence or other surfaces in the garden.
You could extend the play by:
- incorporating letters or words to paint;
- counting items as you paint them;
- having a race to see who can paint their designated area the fastest.
Or you could, as my sons did, turn it into a
water fight.
Game on!
Kids can’t help their attraction to playing in water. Â Here are some more fun and educational activities with water:
nice job Pauline, i like the extensions of play! I found this activity so great when i was pregnant or had a newborn because its so stress free, its a great one if you want to sit for a while.
I like the way you worded that “Watch your children accept the invitation to play.” So true!