The Ultimate No Mess Crafts for Toddlers

 

Toddlers are busy…and messy! With these crafts for toddlers, they will be able to explore finger painting and their creative side without making a mess.

This post is sponsored by KinderCare. Thanks for supporting Project Motherhood!

The Ultimate No Mess Crafts for Toddlers

With winter finally coming to an end and spring almost here, I know that parents everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief. Finally, we’ll get to spend more time outdoors in that sweet sunshine instead of watching Sing on repeat indoors on days just too chilly to leave the home. (Though Sing will always hold a special place in our hearts.) But just as the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” we have an awful lot of rainy days ahead of us, too – which brings me to my favorite no mess crafts for toddlers. (If you’re looking for some more great educational play, check out my educational busy boxes!)

Spring brings a sense of newness where there is so much for busy toddlers to discover and we, of course, want to hone in on every learning moment we can as parents. I try as much as I can, but I’ve also come to terms with the fact that every given opportunity for Blake to get messy, she will take! Since one of the absolute messiest crafts for toddlers I can think of from my childhood is finger painting, I had a genius mom moment and created this no mess, finger painting craft for toddlers to share with you all today!

What do toddlers learn from finger painting?

First, I think we can all agree that raising toddlers can be…challenging. So keeping in mind all that their learning during this time is really important, and discussed more in-depth in this great read by KinderCare. They’re absorbing so much during this time and exploring newfound toddler art skills is a great way to capture their focus.

Finger painting is one of the most amazing crafts for toddlers because it has so many wonderful benefits. Not only does it allow your toddler to explore their creative side, but it stimulates so many different senses (touch, smell, sight). It’s a really fun way for them to work their fine motor skills, soothes their emotions (hello temper tantrum distraction) and lets them use their imagination. All of these are skills that are near and dear to the heart of the KinderCare Education’s curriculum and things that your toddlers will learn every single day while in their care.

Dana Davin, KinderCare Legacy Award Winner and Program Specialist says, “Sensory experiences are a fun, engaging and important way of helping children to understand the world around them. Have you ever smelled a fragrance that made you think of someone you love? Or tasted something that reminded you of that one special vacation? Or even touched a soft blanket that made you instantly feel relaxed? That’s because, even as adults, we often do our best remembering through the aide of our senses. Let them explore!”

Arts and crafts for toddlers: no mess finger painting

If you read my educational busy box blog post, you know I try my best to balance all the activity that comes with toddlerhood and working at home. Every day is different and some days she likes to experience different things – art being one of her favorites lately. Needing to keep messes at bay, I created this super easy, no mess finger painting, crafts for toddlers. And it all flows with KinderCare’s Philosophy, “At KinderCare, purposeful play is early education for toddlers. We pack toddlers day with playful learning experiences that create a life-long love of learning and confidence for life.”

Here’s all you need (see pictured above):

• Plastic, zip lock bags (I use these).
• Non-toxic paints (I use these).

Step 1: Squirt your finger paints into the plastic bag and seal.

Step 2: Sit your toddler in their high chair or on the floor and let them use their fingers to move around the paint inside the bag – no mess at all!

This is the easiest arts and crafts project for toddlers ever and will keep them busy for a long time as they explore so many creative concepts!

Looking for more parenting articles? I’ve got you covered!

• How to Build an Educational Busy Box
• How to Make Busy Boxes For Toddlers
• How to Work From Home With a Baby or Toddler
• 5 Stages Every Parent Goes Through During a Toddler Meltdown
• Celebrating Blake’s Toddler Milestones
• Best Apps for Babies: Nuryl

Honestly, I never would have thought that I would be the type of mom to be singing the praises of finger painting, but we’re truly loving this mess-free alternative and how it has really opened Blake’s eyes to the exploration of art. It’s amazing to watch her sense of discovery fulfilled because every time she sits down to complete this easy arts and crafts for toddlers her experience is different. She’s even getting more involved each time by bringing me the colors that she wants to “paint” with that day and her knowledge is visibly growing.

Do you have any crafts for toddlers that you love in your household? If you are in NYC, the
brand new KinderCare Tribeca Learning Center would love to continue creative education for
your toddler in their classrooms! If not, there are so many locations nationwide for you to
explore, too! Register at the Tribeca location here, which opens on April 16th – plus find any centers near you.

Fashionably Yours,

Allison