What you need
- A small container to take on a trip to a muddy place (an empty plastic tub from the recycling is ideal)
- Either paintbrushes or some sturdy twigs and sticks
The Steps
- Head outside and get ready to make some messy marks on the go.
- Make mud paint by mixing small amounts of mud with water. You can experiment with amounts to get a smooth paste.
- Use a stick to mix the mud paint.
- Get your toddler involved in mixing it up then show them how you paint using either paintbrushes or strong twigs and sticks – or even your hands.
- Let them explore the mud paint and see what they can create. The paint can be used on tree trunks, paper, an old sheet or simply a clear bit of ground.
- You may need to show your child how to dip the stick into your mud paint and transfer it to the surface a few times; doing your own mud painting alongside them is a perfect way to do this.
Benefits for your child
- Mixing up the mud paint lets your toddler explore textures, and how they can change the feel of the mixture by adding more water or mud.
- Letting them explore the mud and mess in a way they enjoy, which might be diving in and getting messy or using a tool like a paintbrush to keep the mess at arms length, allows them to get comfortable with the sensory experiences this activity brings. Over time they might want to try new ways of handling or drawing with the paint - which will develop their understanding of its properties.
Building on
- Mud can be replaced with water for a less messy version of this activity. If you do this, encourage your child to paint on pavements or walls with sticks, paintbrushes, toothbrushes or a sponge dipped in water. This is especially fun on a hot day when the sun dries the artwork, making it vanish!