Opening a craft drawer that hadn't been used in quite awhile i found my old stash of potato mashers that i used to use years ago in daycare for painting…the things you find when you actually do a proper spring clean!
I was excited for 2 reasons (and yes i realise getting excited about anything to do with potato mashers is a little sad but stay with me here!)
1. I had found some of the old metal sort of mashers that seriously just do a better job on the spuds than those teflon, siliconey things they sell today…i am always on the look out for them in the op shop but they are growing scarce!
2. I had great new painting tools to introduce to the toddler twosome!
I love potato masher stamping for toddlers…..it is easy, it allows them to get a little aggressive safely, it makes great patterns to talk about and it is fantastic for strengthening fine motor skills!
I like to use some kitchen sponges turned into paint stamper pads to cut down on the paint going everywhere (as it does when painting with toddlers!) Makes the fun (and paint) last that little bit longer!
Make sure to dampen the sponges a little first or they will absorb too much paint…..when the top becomes a little dry just flip them over before had to add more paint!
You can use these sponge trays for all sorts of stamping and printing activities…..when out of ideas on a trying day i usually pull out some sponge pads, paint and a few items from'that' drawer in the kitchen for stamping tools….i know you have one too!
The toddler twosome loved the novelty of the mashers and seemed to enjoy working out the best way to grasp them…..
Lots of looking at each other to compare…….Ruby insisted on staying in her pyjamas that morning and who am i to argue….i would have loved to stay in mine too!
Tara began to really investigate the concept of the sponge pads with paint…always seems to fascinate her!
Once they worked out that the mashers made patterns on the paper if you had pressed them hard enough into the paint there was no stopping them……
Tara decided to choose her own paper and wander off to another table……sometimes you just need your space….and that's one of the reasons i love letting them paint outside, they can really enjoy an activity in their own way then.
Lots of pushing and watching what happened to the paint when it squeezed through the holes!
I will probably be ‘borrowing' this beauty from the paint stash for the utensil jug!
The variety in mashers allowed for lots of different patterns….older children would be able to press harder and therefore get clearer patterns….but the toddler twosome looked pretty proud of their efforts nonetheless!
I bet you have a few mashers hiding in the kitchen drawer….why not pull them out and share some fun with the kids today….sure beats mashing potatoes!
Warm Wishes…
This is a great idea! I am always looking for new painting activities. Last week we did a whole painting week. We will definitely give this a try.
Thanks for dropping by Michelle….hope you have fun giving it a try, such an easy activity!
Lovely idea although I’m not sure that I want to donate my masher to printing. It gives me an idea about some other old utensils though.
Understandable Sarah!! These all came from the second hand shop for only a few cents so i keep them for painting! I always find the kitchen drawer has something worthwhile though!
Lots of good fun and learning there. I’ll have to get some sponges. I don’t think we’ve ever used sponges whilst painting before, which is seriously crazy. I’ll have to go and buy some now. I’m certain the girls will LOVE playing with them. It may get very messy though!
Sponges are great Penny…they cut down on the mess and paint wastage brilliantly….if you put a lid on the container you can use them again too!
How fun! We love painting with fly swatters at the Clubhouse, but we will definitely have to try this as well. I really like how you used the sponges to contain the paint. Nice!
I love fly swatter painting, used to do that one a lot in childcare…might be time to try it now with the toddler twosome…thanks for the reminder Liz!
What a clever, fun activity! Love the unique pattern it created! Thanks for linking up to TGIF! Have a great week =-)
Beth
Thanks for stopping by Beth!
love it! We did a similar craft with the ends of bok-choy vegetables – strange but true… but my girls would love this… we love celebrating classy craft at our place: http://www.partycraftsecrets.com
Best wishes,
Linda!
What a fab idea! Looks like they really enjoyed it.
Ooo, great idea!
Never thought about using mashers for painting! Fab idea.
Ooo great idea with the sponge!! Looks lots of fun
Such a great idea to use the mashers, having the handle is ideal for control when printing – thanks for coming over and sharing with Country Kids.
Looks like lots f fun. My girls love painting out in the garden x