Painting with children

Fortunately, I have quite a bit of experience in this area, and I'm going to let you in on my tips for a fun and successful experience! 

Step 1: have the correct materials! This will determine how much fun your kids have, and reduce frustration. Giving your kids quality materials will help them not only be comfortable growing up using artists' materials, it will also increase their enjoyment when their brush slides smoothly over the page instead of having bristles stick out everywhere and not allow them to paint a smooth line. 

(these are affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission if you purchase through these links. Feel free to buy what you need for your kids wherever YOU prefer to shop! These are the types of materials I use with my kids at home. )

acrylic paints
this is a nice set to start out with, safe for kids, and good quality. A big difference from those little craft tubes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FYZ9NXW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bethbeeart-20&camp=178...

brushes
If you get nice brushes, the kids will have a nicer result and be happier. Imagine trying to stay in the lines of a coloring book with an old stubby crayon. There are cheaper brushes, but that's the problem, they are cheap brushes. Teach your kids to get quality materials and take good care of them. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XC8Q3BZ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bethbeeart-20&camp=178...

smocks
This kind is the best, it covers you up wrist to neck! They also are reasonably priced, and have options for getting larger quantities if you have more children. If you have an Ikea near you, they sell these as well. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LEEHEI6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bethbeeart-20&camp=178...

easel
A good easel is important. For kids, I recommend a tabletop easel. I have tried painting with kids without easels, flat on the table, and I have tried improvising with lawn chairs outside! Let me just say that using a tabletop easel is MUCH easier and gives a better result. This one is nice because it has a drawer where the kids can keep supplies. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZXWF2Y1/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bethbeeart-20&camp=178...

palette
A paper plate works in a pinch. I like this one for kids, it helps them keep their colors separate, while giving room to mix and blend in the middle. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GXBXHG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bethbeeart-20&camp=178...

all in one
If you don't want to mess around with a bunch of links, or a shopping list for a big-box art store, this link will make it easy. Everything you need except the smock, so grab an old T-shirt and call it a day. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QAPXQ0A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bethbeeart-20&camp=178...


READY TO PAINT? 

Step 2: have a good setup: outdoors is optimal, perhaps on a patio or deck. Second choice would be the kitchen table with a plastic tablecloth, babywipes and cotton swabs nearby, and a smock or old clothes. 


Step 3: have your child paint the ENTIRE background. This step may seem annoying, and you may be tempted to skip it, but it's key to a successful painting. They can do a solid color for little ones, or a sky and land for older ones.

This step cures the problem of all the white space that kids are tempted to leave on the canvas, making it look unfinished. It also helps the painting have more depth and vibrancy. If your child is really young (2-3 years) you can paint the background for them and let them do an abstract painting on top. 


Step 4: Let the background dry: overnight, use a hairdryer, or put it in the sunshine for a bit. 


Step 5: Help them set up their palette: Arrange the primary colors in a triangle (red, yellow, blue). Next, arrange the secondary colors (orange, green, purple) between them.  It's a good time to explain colors to your kids. If this is too tricky, just set the colors up like the rainbow.

Do NOT give them ANY black (unless they beg you and then just a tiny bit, the size of 1/2 a pea) and just a little white in the middle. Black takes over very quickly, and it will be a mess. Pro Tip: If they're too young to know what colors they want, only give them the colors YOU like, or colors that match your hallway, so you will be happy to include it in the decor of the house.


Step 6: For younger ones: Put on some classical music and let them paint! They probably already know what they want to do. For older ones, show them pictures. An old calendar of flowers, pictures in a nature magazine, old photos of the lake, google images of birds, anything to inspire them. Let them pick something that resonates with them. Alternately, let them pick a flower from the garden (or the store) and set it up in a nice little vase with a pretty background. 


Step 7 : Watch your child, and as the painting approaches completion, help the child put the painting in a safe place to dry. THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT! Otherwise your child will keep painting and painting because it's so fun and they will pass the best point of their creation. Give them a new canvas to start another one if you want, but REMOVE the painting when you, the parent, are happy with how it looks. If you don't care about the outcome of the painting, and just want them to have fun, then you can let them keep adding more and more paint and glob it around for a tactile experience. 


Step 8: Repeat as needed. If there is a "mess up," get out the Q-tips or the edge of a napkin, and wipe away! Acrylic is forgiving if you get it quickly! If it's already dry, they can always paint over it. Another alternative would be to get a damp nylon sponge with the scrubby back and scrub away some paint. 


Step 9: Frame the best painting and enjoy the compliments and your child's sense of accomplishment!