Making, baking and creating were high on the list when I sat down and asked the children what they wanted to put on our summer bucket list.
And, it being summer, painting outside was a specific request.
However, we’ve been so busy ticking other things off our list that we only just got round to getting creative in the garden!
I considered some hand and foot print painting, but we had a friend visiting later that afternoon, so stopping for showers to get the three cleaned up was a bit much. Instead, we opted for some splatter painting…
I got a couple of big sheets of paper (from a roll of craft paper) and mixed a little water with paint (to make it a bit easier to ‘splatter’ across the paper) and set it all up in the garden.
Within minutes the paper, and the children, were covered in multi-coloured spots.
By the end of our first session the paintings were looking very pretty and Jackson Pollock like…
We took a break when our friend arrived, but it wasn’t long before the kids had asked us to move into the garden so that they could do some more painting.
The wee girl decided that she’d had enough of splattering and started to add some splodges and swirls around the edge.
The boys continued to add splatters, mixing more paint so that they could keep going. Their ‘potions’ resulted in a lot of grey splattering towards the end…
Finally satisfied with the patterns, we left their creations to dry.
The paintings actually look great, and I’m now trying to decide what to do with them! I might frame a couple of sections and then use the rest as wrapping paper :)
I was amazed by how long they spent doing this, and that all three were so engaged by it. It was great fun. For them, and for me watching them.
Have you been getting creative outdoors this summer?
This looks like great fun – what a great way to spend an afternoon! x
It was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed watching them :)
What a cute idea. I love that they all got involved and enjoyed it, even though they are different ages.
It was lovely that they all enjoyed it, even if slightly unexpected :)
I love it Sara, love getting Monkey painting outside but not managed it yet this year. Love they are all so engaged by it and will look fab framed! Xx
Thanks Caroline, it was great fun :)
What a fab idea… I bet you all had soooo much fun! It would be a great way of making your own wrapping paper too!!
We had a lot of fun, and I think it’s going to make great wrapping paper :)
lovely idea and protecting your house at the same time!! This will be perfect wrapping paper! Pass the parcel!! :-)
Absolutely, I might keep it for our next party :)
What a fun idea! It’s always exciting to take activities outdoors, and this one is perfect for summer.
It was good fun :)
Kids always enjoy th thing that to them at least think they are making a mess. Looks like great fun x
Exactly, it was messy, but it was all outside!
Love it!!! I am going to have to try this when it cools off a bit here, in AZ we have to wait for the winter months to go outside it’s kind of backwards :)
Yes, it’s been hot with us this year, but I know it’s even hotter where you are :)
A simple but fun and engaging activity for all ages. I love it and may have to steal this for my boys in the next sunny day (who know when that may be!). Great idea to frame it and wrapping paper would look good too. I might actually buy a canvas for the boys to do this, then there will be no framing required, thanks for the creative ideas! :)
And thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather :) x
Ooo, canvas. That’s a great idea! Might do that the next time :)
What a fun and creative idea. It’s so adorable seeing them all joining in together and playing. What the perfect day to do it as well. I really wished we had some more sunshine. Our summer has been horrendous. I’d love to try doing some art in the garden. It’s definitely easier to clean up afterwards. Thank you so much for linking this up to #whatevertheweather x
We have been very lucky with the weather this summer :)
This is an adorable idea! The kids look like they had loads of fun. Thanks for sharing #WhatevertheWeather
They really did enjoy it x
I love this idea! Our weather has been awful, just raining constantly so I really hope we get a dry day so we can try this out. We’ve just started doing home made wrapping paper and this would be great! #kidscorner
We have been lucky with the weather :)
What a fab idea for painting in the garden. I love the end result. My kids keep asking to paint in the garden, must get around to doing it.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsbeKids
The kids loved it, they kept coming back to it and adding more!
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I love the finished result, I fear we have seen the last of summer for now so will have to make a mental note of this for next year. Thanks for sharing in #KidsCorner x
It’s definitely one for a sunny day :)