Rachel Reads

Rachel’s Reads

By Rachel Levine Colored pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, and paint are essential staples of childhood. Children come into the world with an innate desire to create. As Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist.” Celebrate that natural creativity by sharing these marvelous art books with your children!

Mouse Paint

by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Someone has accidentally left out a set of red, yellow, and blue paint pots. Three very curious little mice have found them and simply can’t resist climbing inside and dunking themselves in the wet paint. The now red, yellow, and blue mice soon discover they can mix the colors and create orange, green, and purple too. This gentle introduction to the color wheel is lovely.

Beautiful Oops!

By Barney Saltzberg

Making art is all about experimenting and exploring. Beautiful Oops shows how to take what appears to be a mistake and repurpose it into something absolutely amazing. Through clever flaps and pop-ups, the book shows ways of turning a tear, spill, or other oops, into something new and incredible. It’s great for all, but especially for those kids (and adults too) who struggle with frustration when their art projects don’t turn out how they imagined.

Chalk

by Bill Thomson

What would happen if your art came to life? Three friends find out when they happen upon a bag of magical chalk. They begin drawing together and suddenly their art starts rising from the pavement, vivid,

alive, and real. The friends start exploring their new power by drawing sunshine and butterflies, but then they go a step farther and draw a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Creating a living dinosaur, as we know from Jurassic Park, is generally a very bad idea. Chaos reigns until the kids figure out how to use their art to save the day.

Dog Loves Drawing

by Louise Yates

Dog received a blank sketchbook as a gift. At first, he wasn’t sure what to do with it, but then he started doodling and a world of storytelling and adventures opened up! Dog creates new friends (duck, owl, and crab), and together they ride trains, explore the sea in boats, and find a desert island. For every problem that arises, Dog draws a creative solution. Be warned — after reading this book you should have some blank sketchbooks on hand for your newly inspired kiddos!

I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!

By Karen Beaumont

It is time for pure absolute silliness. This goofy adaption of the song “It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More” is fabulously colorful and messy. A young boy has been forbidden to paint anymore after painting on the walls of his house. The call of the paint cannot be resisted, however, and soon he is painting his whole body from head to toe. Be prepared for “I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!” to become a family favorite!

13

Crafts for Little Artists that Aren’t a Pain to Clean Up

By Rebecca Hastings

I think there’s still glitter on my floor

From 5 years ago.

Arts and crafts have a way of sticking around, and while I want to encourage creativity in my kids, I hate cleaning up the aftermath.

Yes, we can make them clean up. I know. But seriously. Do they ever really clean it all up? If you’re going to be the one picking up from the latest craft session, here are 13 crafts that will make your job easier and allow your little artist to be creative.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Combo Scratch Art Set

I love this. Still. And kids are drawn to it. Scratch through the black surface to reveal amazing colors. Reveal as much or as little as you want. This favorite comes with 16 boards, 2 stylus tools and 3 frames. Kids love the rainbow and metallic backgrounds.

Boogie Board Jot LCD eWriter

A small notebook sized LCD drawing panel, the Boogie Board Jot is perfect for drawing anywhere, even in the car. No mess and endless possibility. Kids love the erase button and the ability to start fresh. Great for keeping in your purse for kids to play with on the go.

Made By Me Build and Paint Your Own Wooden Cars

This one does involve paint, but it’s all pretty self-contained. Spread a piece of newspaper and grab a cup of water. Kids put together small wooden cars and then decorate using the stickers and paints provided. This one is great for keeping boys busy and giving them a chance to create.

Fashion Angels Portfolios & American Girl Doll Fashion Design Portfolio Set

Kids design outfits and unique looks on the doll like outlines provided. Tons of great activity books with stencils for those who love to create fun fashion looks. Makeup, fashion and even home decorating books give kids great ways to draw and imagine as they get older. Melissa & Doug Paint with Water Sometimes the little ones just want to paint. A great compromise that just involves water! Watch images and colors appear magically as your little artists swipes a wet brush across a page!

Alex Toys Craft Color a House Children’s Kit

Cardboard box play taken to the next level, kids can easily construct a house and then decorate it with crayons. Toddlers love this and it keeps them busy for hours!

Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush & Drawing Pad

Half the fun of this amazing toy is the magic! Kids use the special brush to paint on their paper. It lights up with each color they pick and they create a masterpiece. Plus, it doesn’t leave marks on hands, the table or clothes!

Rainbow Wikki Stix

These bendy, twisty sticks quickly become a favorite of kids and adults. You can link them together, twist and create without making a mess to clean up. Another great toy for the traveling creative!

Sidewalk Chalk

Let nature take care of the cleanup! Kids love the ability to leave their mark and draw outdoors. A bucket of sidewalk chalk fits the bill, and all you

have to do is wash hands when it’s done!

Creative Hands Foam Kit Beads 2 Lace

Fun and great for fine motor development, Beads 2 Lace give kids the chance to string chunky foam beads in different shapes and colors to create one of a kind masterpieces. While there are a lot of pieces, this one is easy to clean up. You can even make a game out of tossing the foam pieces in the bucket when you’re done!

Alex Toys Little Hands Mosaics

Using the color coded stickers kids place them on the template and create a beautiful picture. These are great for hanging up when they’re complete! Also offers fantastic color and shape matching and fine motor development.

Crayola Model Magic

Softer and airier than the traditional play-doh, Model Magic is a great way to let kids mold and shape with less mess! It also air dries solid, giving little artists the chance to create forever masterpieces!

Crayola Bathtub Finger paint and Crayons

When you can’t avoid the mess, at least make it in the easiest place to clean up! Finger paints and crayons specifically designed for the tub, give kids the chance to make a mess. And cleaning up when they’re done is contained and fun.

What mess free crafts do your kids love?

Rebecca traded the classroom for writing when she stayed home with her three children. Passionate about authenticity, faith, and family, you can find her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Amazon. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places or wherever there is chocolate.