Winter vacation is around the corner with parents planning activities and outings to keep their children happy during the break. Having planned activities will give children the opportunity to try new things they wouldn’t otherwise get to experience while in school. This is also a great time for parents to bond and teach with their children and you won’t want to miss out!
Since it can be hard to take kids out in the harsh winter months, planning activities at home can be a great way to keep them busy and entertained without having to leave the house. Studies have shown that arts and crafts are extremely beneficial to the development of a child’s brain and coordination. Below we will begin to go over these benefits, and suggest fun and creative activities for children. At Zenith Painting and Coatings, we want to inspire the next generation of artists and painters, and show how you can find age appropriate, safe paints for kids of all ages!
Fine Motor Skills
One of the easiest and most obvious benefits of painting is the development your child’s fine motor skills. Learning how to use a paint brush can be challenging and requires concentration to figure out how much pressure to apply and how to create lines and other shapes on paper. Developing fine motor skills will translate into other aspects of your child’s life, for example, securing buttons while dressing, and learning how to use utensils properly.
Bilateral Coordination
This may not be as obvious, but it is extremely important for developing strong coordination. Bilateral coordination is achieved when your child is utilizing both hands to complete a task. By using their hands, your child will be stimulating both sides of their brain, sending signals back and forth thus creating better communication between the two sides. You can have the younger kids finger paint using both hands and when they are a bit older, have them use a scissor to cut out shapes before they start their project. This will help your child down the line when it is time to learn how to type and tie their shoes!
Patience
Especially when using paint, your child will have to learn about letting their projects dry before being complete or adding the next coat of paint. This will teach kids to be patient and learn that all good things come to those who practice patience.
Self-Esteem Booster
When a child completes a project and can show it off, it gives them a great sense of accomplishment. This will make them feel good about themselves, and about their abilities as young artists!
Here are a list of age appropriate paints to use with your children.
Ages 2-5 Years
Water color paint is a great way to introduce your little artist to painting materials. They are extremely washable, and easy to use. Try buying a coloring book so they can focus on staying within the lines, or lay down a big piece of paper on the floor to let them create their own masterpiece! Water color paint can be found in any arts and craft store, either in the school supply section or near the other paints for children.
Ages 6-9 Years
Washable tempera paints for kids is the best option for this age group. They have a variety of vibrant fun colors but you don’t have to worry about them getting it on household items and ruining their clothes. You can use these paints on canvas but you can also buy fun wooden projects or ornaments to use this holiday season. If you decide to work with wood, there are great non-toxic paint options for wood available at your local arts and crafts store.
10+ Years
Acrylic based paint are the ultimate arts and crafts paints. You can use them on nearly any surface and they will last the longest and maintain their vibrant colors for years. However, be aware that acrylic paints can be difficult to remove from clothing. Therefore, it is important that your child is old enough to control the brush and only apply paint on the designated surface.
If you ever questions about the safety of paint or age appropriateness, the US requires all arts and crafts manufacturers to clearly label all of the potentially hazardous components of the specific art product on the packaging. This is called the ASTM D-4236” code. When in doubt, take a look at the packaging and you should be able to determine how safe the desired products is.
We hope this post has inspired some fun family activities. If you are looking to get your home painted before the holiday season, please call Zenith Painting & Coatings to set up a consultation and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.