Teach me the ways of arts and crafts

[shytimes]

So.  BabyShy has taken an interest in "drawing."  Currently, this consists of walking around with a capped pen and running it over things.  But.... I think I need to invest in some better tools to fuel her creativity.  The kind that will naturally result in an art prodigy.

I hear things have changed since I have done this.  What do I need?  I hear there is paper and magical markers that won't result in artistic creations all over my living room?  Apparently I also need a smock?  

(I live in a tiny apartment; please help me avoid unnecessary purchases)

Thanks!

[turquoisequeen]

Crayola color wonder markers and paper. The markers will only color on the specific paper. We just started these with DS and I haven't tested if they don't leave marks on the wall or anything but I assume the packaging states it correctly or else it wouldn't have had so many stars on Amazon. So far the coloring has lasted in 10 minute spurts but he thoroughly enjoys capping and uncapping the markers also.

[kaf7]

I don't really allow markers in my house yet. Every time I do it is a mess. Other than the ones that only colour on special paper but I don't think those are great for creativity.

We have crayons and pencil crayons in a shoe box and a package of cheap printer paper. They are only allowed to be used st the kitchen table and they go away at the end of that time. No smock needed.

(S1 is almost 4 and we do now own more construction paper, scissors, glue, markers etc, but the go to is still the crayons and plain paper). Our grocery store always has colouring sheets out after the check out and he takes those each week for colouring inside the lines time. And we have some activity and colouring books. We do have the magic markers and paper but as I said, I am not that impressed. Good for a few min but not lasting fun. My kid likes the water wow by Melissa and Doug too. It's just water so still no smock needed. I feel painting can be done elsewhere or when they are older.

Fwiw at age 2 me and my cousin (3yo) coloured everything we could reach and ourselves with marker. Like an entire room. I may be trying to avoid that....

[kaf7]

The 14m old also enjoys a crayon on paper.

[bocaburger]

Lurk the A16 randoms thread for a mess-free "painting" idea

[katemonster]

We do regular paper and crayons, they have bigger ones that are easier to hold, but he does okay with normal ones too. Once in a while he tries to bite the tips off if he gets bored.

[bluefairy5]

We have slightly-large-but-not-huge "washable" (scare quotes because untested) Crayolas. Does your building have a children's room? We most often bust out WF's crayons in ours. When she colors at home it's only over the wood floors and she's still in the midst of learning that particular rule. She has definitely snacked on parts of some of the crayons.

[ampaints]

I happen to have pretty big pieces of paper left from my previous time as an art major. M loves that the best, he sits in the paper on the floor and colors. We're just using crayons. I got some color wonder paper and marker, but he's not interested in that yet.

Come warmer weather I'll put him in just a diaper with kid safe paints on the porch. Possibly also shaving cream. I did the colored foam and for the amount of time he spent with it it was not worth the effort.

[mrsrodgersaz]

A friend of mine got C this for his bday. He isn't an art prodigy like Baby Shy (he's more interested in eating the crayons we get with kids menus when we go out to eat), but I'm excited to have something that won't create a huge mess once he does take an interest in drawing.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ESJFF2C/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486439078&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=aquadoodle+classic+mat&dpPl=1&dpID=51iKmp%2B-MBL&ref=plSrch

[Deleted]

We do printer paper and crayons. I allow my girls to color on the floor, but I cut off the side of a big box from an Amazon delivery, which goes down underneath the paper. All paper and crayons must stay on the cardboard or I put it all away.

They did get easels for Christmas from family members, but we haven't tried them yet.

My girls are 3.5, and we've been doing it this way since they were 2ish.

[rainbowbridge14]

We havea set of big toddler crayons that M uses. Our rule is we only take hem out o play with when she is strapped in her high chair so that she doesn't run around with them.

Our DC provider is way better about artsy stuff than we are. She lets her draw pictures on a whiteboard, do sidewalk chalk, and finger paint with washable paint.

[luvboston]

bocaburger Melissa and Doug makes paint pens that don't get everywhere

[shytimes]

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

mrsrodgersaz clearly you didn't hear the sarcasm in my typing. She spends most of her time chewing the pen.

ampaints the huge paper idea seems brilliant.

bluefairy5 jealous of your open space.

[katemonster]

Also I got DS a $5 (generic) magna-doodle which he loves. And no mess at all!

[olenka]

I have a roll of butcher paper that I rip off a piece of and tape to the table. We have a lot of crayons, washable markers, washable paint, etc. I have an old shirt I throw on my kid.

Also we keep playdoh and pipe cleaners on hand to make sculptures.

Just stay away from glitter...

[NariaDreaming]

Large Amazon boxes will be your best friend. Put child and markers inside the box and let them go to town.

It's a self-contained art studio.

[nutmeg8484]

H bought Molly a giant roll of paper. 4ft by 200 feet. It's huge. We roll some out on the floor and cut it off and let her go to town. She loves it and it's big enough that she doesn't try to use crayon on our wood floors.

[4paws]

Remind me, how old is your LO? (On mobile so no siggy) We just got some egg shaped crayons and my LO obsessed (14 mo). We will move to markers once I trust he won't suck on them.

[shytimes]

4paws baby shy is just 1 year, so we might try the crayons. Thanks!

[applemuffins]

What @nariadreaming said. My child can't see a big box and NOT grab a couple markers and sit in it. Every damn time. Even if she doesn't quite fit. It's so cute.

[fightersince83]

Feb 7, 2017 11:22:46 GMT -5 katemonster said:

Also I got DS a $5 (generic) magna-doodle which he loves. And no mess at all!

Genius! I don't know why this didn't cross my mind. I just ordered one for DD.