Sophie kept making a beeline for the painting easel at playgroup today, pushing her way past the children to get to the paintbrushes. So when we got home, I decided to make the most of the sunshine and set up a painting activity outside in the tuff spot. I put Sophie in her wellies and puddle suit with a painting apron over the top.
I taped a large piece of paper in the middle of the tuff spot and put some paint and plastic Easter eggs onto some IKEA plates. I showed Sophie how to dip the Easter egg into the paint and then how to make a print. She enjoyed copying me but soon discovered she could just dip her hands into the paint and then make hand prints on the paper. She loves painting her hands at the moment!
I have been reading about schemas, which are patterns of repeatable behaviour which can be noticed in children’s play. It suggests that children with the enclosing schema like to paint themselves, hide under things and suck their thumb – this is Sophie to a tee!
The information I was reading suggested that helping to tidy up is a useful activity for children that are interested in this schema. I decided to bring a bucket of warm soapy water outside and let Sophie help to wash up the Easter eggs and plates once we had finished painting. I think she enjoyed this even more than actually doing the painting.
She has recently discovered jumping in puddles and loves it so we tipped the bucket of water into the tuff spot and she splashed around.
The puddle suit was fantastic – her clothes were dry and paint free (except for her ankles which were wet from where the water had gone into her wellies!). I can’t wait for some more sunny days so that we can play outside more.
This looks like so much fun!!! The neat freak in me would be worried about all of the mess which is why we hardly ever do things like this at home but think i may have to as my daughter would love this! #shareitsunday
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It was a great activity to do outside because there was no chance on paint getting on the sofa!
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Aww this looks like such good fun and what a gorgeous collection of photos too.
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Thank you. I am going to end up with soooo many photos doing this blog!
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This looks like such great fun, even the tidy up part! Thanks so much for sharing on #ToddlerApprovedTuesday
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No problem – thanks for hosting. The tidy up part was possibly even more fun!
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This looks like so much fun! The toff spot looks great and very useful, I’m quite tempted to buy one!
Aria is a thumb sucker so things crossed she will enjoy cleaning up too ha!
#ShareItSunday
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You really should – they are so handy for containing some/most of the mess. I got mine off eBay for £13.50. Haha I hope Aria likes cleaning up – if definitely makes life easier until you are at playgroup and they try to tidy up toys that are supposed to be out!
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Looks like massive fun to do! We will definitely do something like this especially now that the weather is starting to warm up =) #countrykids
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Thanks. Isn’t is lovely that it is getting warmer? I’ve loved spending more time outside lately. x
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I love the idea of doing it outside! One tip I was told was to put the suit outside the wellies so the water runs off 🙂 Definitely will be doing outdoor crafts with Bear when the weather warms up #countrykids
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That’s a great tip. I do that with her snow suit so I am not sure why I never thought to do it with her puddle suit! Haha.
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Sophie looks like she’s having a great time playing in the Tuff Spot, it’s fab that it gave you the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Kids always love painting and doing it outside and covered up was inspired… I’ve lost cound of the amount of times I had painted tables and clothes as mine were growing up. She looks so happy to be allowed to wash up and make big splashes too! Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
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It was so much more relaxed outside because there was no danger of her running around the house covered in paint! Thanks for hosting.
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Could make some lovely Easter cards once dry , lovely and great idea with washing up outside as “play”
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That’s a great idea. (Except I left it taped to the patio door and forget until the next day… it had fallen off and was a soggy, muddy mess – oops!). The washing up play certainly saved me a job 😉
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That does look like fun. Outdoor painting is great and she looks very happy with the washing up and splashing afterwards.
Thanks for sharing with #LetKidsbeKids
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Thanks. It was great fun and seemed less messy outside!
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Looks like she was having a blast! Incorporating the clean-up is a great idea. #Letkidsbekids
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I thought so too – saved me a job 😉
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Aww. We’ve got a tuff spot tray too…better put it to good use. Such a cute activity x #LetKidsBeKids
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Thanks. I am looking forward to more nice weather so we can use ours outside more.
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Looks like great fun x
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She loved it!
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