This post is sponsored by Language Launchers. All opinions are my own. Please see my disclosure.
Painting with infants does not have to be scary and it is a great way to explore with your baby at home. Many moms are always searching for activities to do with their infants. I decided to expand my list of tips for painting with infants to include in The Ultimate Guide to Baby’s First Year, because it really is a fun way to play with baby and make a great keepsake or gift!
Painting with infants may sound messy, unpredictable and difficult, but it is not. My two oldest children painted for the first time when they were about 6 or 7 months old. The twins painted their first picture around 9 months. Painting with infants is a fun way to add in a simple infant activity into your baby’s day-and help you feel like a productive mom at home.
Here are my 9 tips for painting with infants so you can try them too!
Tips for Painting with Infants
Prep your supplies:
- pieces of construction paper (I gather about 6 pieces)
- paint
- masking tape
- newspaper or large sheets of butcher paper or packing paper
- high chair and tray or other solid work surface
- dampened paper towels, washable towel or baby wipes
Get painting:
1) Undress baby leaving on their diaper.
2) Place baby in a secure seat like a high chair. I like this high chair because it is all washable, and in 6 years of having children, paint (or food) has never stained it. Plus it fits anywhere!
3) I like having baby paint using the high chair tray, because on our chair the tray is plastic. If you have a wooden tray just wrap it with plastic wrap if you are worried about paint sticking to it or staining. If you have to push the high chair up to a table, you can tape down some newspaper or butcher paper with masking tape to protect the surface.
4) Use masking tape to secure the construction paper (painting canvas) to the tray or solid surface. Babies do not have the coordination to hold the paper and keep it from moving around while finger painting, so taping it down is essential.
5) Squeeze a teaspoon to a tablespoon of paint onto the paper. Babies do not always understand the idea of dipping their fingers into a container of paint and then transferring the paint to the paper. If the paint is in a container, playing with it may become a sensory activity on its own!
NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE FUN STUFF!
6) Let your child try to mark the paper with the paint.
You can help guide by saying things like, “You are painting! Paint a picture on the paper.” “Use your fingers and hand to spread the paint.” “Keep the paint on the paper and not your mouth.”
Simple interactions during activities are very important for building an infant’s language development. Your child may not yet be able to answer back, but they are learning how to have a conversation, new words, and that they are important to you! Talk them through it and guide them to use the paint as you see fit.
We sometimes think that since babies can not talk to us, that they do not benefit from hearing us speak to them. That is false. Enriching play with language is essential!
7) If your infant is not moving their hands to paint on the paper, you can gently hold their forearm and gently move their hand around in the paint. Use words to talk about how the paint feels (slimy, slippery, smooth) or what it looks like (color words).
8) Use baby’s interest to determine when the activity needs to end. My oldest two painted about five papers each and then they showed signs of being tired.
Some infants may be unhappy with their hands covered in wet paint, so getting one painting finished may be good. If your child gets upset, stop the activity and try again in a few days or more.
9) You can let the paintings dry by simply using a piece of masking tape to secure the painting to a window until dry. (Any stray paint that gets on the glass will clean right off.) Then hang the painting up on the refrigerator, or attach a label to mark the milestone.
I also included a small photo of the painting experience in a plastic magnetic frame. Then long distance family can see the fun experience too. Painting is a great way for baby to play and learn. It is an outlet for children’s creative energy and allows for a lot of language exposure and interaction.
Have you tried painting with your infant? How did it go?
Looking for more activities to do with infants?
I have a page devoted to Infant Activities here on the blog:
Now check out the blogs sharing more ideas for playing with your baby in the Ultimate Guide to Baby’s First Year:
Ultimate Guide to Baby Activities ~ Lemon Lime Adventures
Sensory Play
30+ Baby Safe Sensory Play Ideas – B-Inspired Mama
Textured Sensory Play Mat – It’s a Long Story
Mirror Play for Babies – Still Playing School
Fun and Safe Sensory Bins for Babies – The Eyes of a Boy
Jewelry Sensory Box – Trust Me, I’m a Mom
Gross Motor
Baby Play: Newborn Exercise – True Aim Education
Combining Gross Motor & Art – Bambini Travel
20+ Motor Play Ideas for Baby – Pink Oatmeal
Tummy Time Entertainment – Hand Made Kids Art
Simple Activities for 6 – 12 Month Olds – Powerful Mothering
Tummy Time: Why & How? – The Inspired Treehouse
Baby Play: Rolling a Ball – Wildflower Ramblings
Busy Boxes & Baskets
Natural Spring Treasure Basket for Baby – Natural Beach Living
Montessori-Inspired Mini Discovery Boxes for Babies – Living Montessori Now
5 Fun Busy Boxes for Baby – Squiggles & Bubbles
15 Treasure Bins for Baby – Wildflower Ramblings
Outdoor Play
5 Ideas for Playing Outdoors with a Baby – Barefeet on the Dashboard
Outdoor Play Ideas for 0 – 12 Months – Winegums & Watermelons
Arts & Crafts for Baby
Smart Art for Your Burgeoning Mini Monet – Conceiving Piper
Follow the whole series on our group Pinterest board:
I haven’t thought about this before. I have a baby boy who is 8 year old. If you had any suggestion about painting for my baby i will greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your tips.
For 8 year olds you have a lot of options. This post is about babies painting, but for older kids the Preschool Activities page is a good place to look for painting ideas. For most kids, though, a plain piece of paper and some fun washable paints is all you need for them to have a good time. 🙂
I haven’t thought about this before. I have a baby boy who is 8 year old. If you had any suggestion about painting for my baby i will greatly appreciate it.
Love this idea – thank you for sharing Jaimi. My youngest is almost 3 months and the older one is 22 months. This could be an activity for both of them. I am a little concerned about them eating the paint. What kind of paint do you recommend for this activity? Or maybe just not worry about it???
I just saw you recommend “tempera-it” paint in the comments below!
Great idea for sensory play. I love the pictures of paint covered babies….you can tell they loved it!
Thanks, Anne! It really is a fun experience for the babies and a fun memory for us parents!
I'd also love any good recos for paint that's appropriate for babies who like to put *everything* in their mouths! Thanks!
Jacquelyn, I have not had a huge problem with my babies putting the paint in their mouths in excess even though they were pretty oral explorers in their infant stage. They were too fascinated by seeing the paint coloring the paper to think about eating it, but I would use just a small amount and if you use tempera paint as I did, just be sure the label says "non-toxic". I teach through the project by saying, "Paint goes on the paper and not in your mouth." The whole activity goes so quickly that it might not be a problem. If you are really concerned, there are edible homemade paints out there and a Google search should list those for you. I hope that is helpful!
What kind of paint do you suggest I use? My son is 10 months old and he puts everything in his mouth, so I worry about the paint. Thank you for all of these wonderful ideas!
Tiffany, I use tempera-it is non-toxic and I use the experience to teach that the paint is not to be eaten. Be sure to check the label to be sure it is non-toxic. There are edible paints that can be homemade, but I have not used them. I have not had a problem with either of my older two putting the paint in their mouths beyond the accidental touching the face. Try and see if it's a problem. Some kids are more oral than others. I hope that helps and have fun!