Mess Free Art for Babies
For Mother’s Day this year, I wanted to do a few art projects with Squeaker. Naturally, I started with Pinterest and after oohing and aahing at the footprint and handprint crafts, I looked further. I wanted to do something with her that wouldn’t be too much of a mess, but also provide her with a fun sensory experience. I finally found something that was close to what I was looking for- mess free art for babies.
You will need:
A highchair (or flat surface, if baby is able to sit up. Or you could incorporate this into tummy time.)
A willing participant (Squeaker was 5 months)
Ziploc bags (we used gallon size)
Paint (we used tempera)
Paper (we used construction paper, though card stock could work very well too.)
Wipes (just in case)
First, here’s how I set things up (please excuse the clutter- we’re parents, not perfect.):
After putting Squeaker in her high chair, I got the first project ready.
Nothing fancy, just a few squirts of paint and then I put the construction paper into the bag. Her first project is pictured in the first picture of the post, this is her second. But her reaction to the two were the same. Exploration of the bag, then after some prompting and demonstrating, she smashed the paint a bit.
Since I didn’t know how patient she would be in the highchair, I didn’t want to press my luck with her art projects. Yes, we were both having fun and she posed for the camera, plus I got my Mother’s Day Art. But still. I knew not to push it too much with her. I didn’t want her to resent doing art projects, because then that just puts a serious dent in my plans for Tot School and Homeschool Preschool (and all of the other adorable hand/foot print art projects on Pinterest). Still, even after doing the two projects, she was still in a willing mood to participate in a footprint impression.
And below you can see the end result of the three projects. These will all go in her ‘art binder’, a large three ring binder filled with page protectors to hold her art work. That way, I have it all in one place and I can easily look back and find one that I’m looking for. Plus, I think it will be really nice to see how she progresses over the months and years.
We also ended up doing salt dough foot impressions (mine and hers together, and just one with hers) that turned out super cute (and of course, I can’t find the pictures for them). I like doing those types of crafts and art projects, because it’s hands on and it’s sensory. Though it was a little bit messier than I would have liked, it was still fun. I look forward to doing salt dough impressions and foot impressions with her as the years go by so I can document her growth.
What about you? Have you done art projects with babies or young children?
Kori
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You’re so adventurous for doing artwork with an infant. I don’t think I’ve done that until my girls were over 15 months. We’ve done many projects since. Looks like you have a budding artist in your hands 🙂
The key for me was finding something relatively mess free, lol. Otherwise I think I would have waited 🙂
That is awesome. I never did stuff like this when my boys were babies, but I wish I had.
🙂
I didn’t do this type of my stuff with my older two, so I think part of it might be mommy guilt catching up to me.
oh art for babies! That is brilliant! I never thought of something like this!
What a neat idea! This would be perfect for a 5 month old niece!
That is adorable – I bet the grandparents would love to get those masterpieces!! 🙂
This is a cool project. My boys at this age would either took a bite into the bag or found a way to open the bag. I might try this now that my boys are 6 and 7.
How adorable is this! Great idea to make some fun art yet not messy, just love that
!!
It’s always nice to introduce your children to the arts at a young age.
I definitely think so.
Oh I wish I would have found something like this when my E was an infant! It would have been perfect for him as he hated to get his hands messy. I may still try it with him now, he’s 2.5, it could be a fun sensory project. Thanks for sharing!
This is a genius idea! Almost makes me wish my kids were tiny again so that they could do this.
Ohhhhh… I will DEF have to try this out. My four month old will be the next Picasso.
I really hope that you do! I’m sure it’ll turn out cute 🙂
Fun! I have done this with my kids before, but I think it’s especially great for babies.
That is a very cute idea! I have a little one I could do that with now!
What a clever idea! I wish I would have known about this MANY years ago! 😀
interesting project “) thank you for linking up with the #pinitparty
🙂 it’s definitely something to revisit
You know, colors and all of this can really help with their development. What a creative way to get their hand eye coordination going too! Very nice!
Great idea! I love this! My baby will be one i a week, and she’d LOVE this!
Yes! Mess free is definitely the best 🙂
i love this idea, very cool. I’ll be trying it very soon.
What a great idea, totally mess-free! I bet this would work for my infant and my toddler 🙂 Thanks for sharing this.
No! My little one is 15 months and would probably love this! I’m going to try it this weekend! Thanks for the idea!
I hope that it goes well 🙂
Very nice. I do love the idea of the yours and babie’s too footprint. That’s cool even w/o a picture. 🙂
🙂 That was my favorite, I think.
Awe! What an adorable little one. 🙂 And what a fun art for the babies as well. 🙂 Quick and Easy to do.
Thank you 🙂 And yes, quick, easy.. mess free. Good for everyone, I think.
This is genius, mess free and a wonderful keepsake, I wish I would have thought of this when my little one was younger!!!
🙂 I just hope she does okay with other art projects.
What a fun art idea to do with the little ones! I love that it’s not messy!
Yes 🙂 Of course I realize art will get messy, but for this first attempt I wanted something simple.
I guess anything that concerns babies are cute! So creative of you to come up with this.
Hi Kori, I never did artwork to save when my kids were busy. They did get a lot of hands on experience. I would let my middle child play on the kitchen floor and he would have fun taking the tupperware out and I gave him wooden spoons and metal measuring spoons. I did not do this with the oldest. The one who did this is a pretty good cook and looks forward to having his own kitchen. I have samples of their artwork as they were growing up. I changed over my blog and the link to my Bible… Read more »
I like letting her have hands on learning experiences too, I think that’s a great way to learn- especially real life skills. I will pop on over to your blog today and take a peek 🙂
I do not, but I can see if I can make one.
Have a blessed week! *hugs*