Grandmothers have the wonderful opportunity of helping their grandchildren develop their artistic interests and skills. Painting with a set of watercolors is easy, inexpensive, and loads of fun—for both grandchild and grandmother. (At least is OUGHT to be fun for you, grandma!) Here are a few ideas for a successful water coloring activity.

Have your grandchildren wear protective clothing – like one of grandpa’s old shirts. Or, if you are a sewing whiz, you can sew aprons for your grandchildren to wear. Here is a list of 50 free apron patterns that you can make. (Personally, I like the first one that is listed under dishtowel aprons.) You might want to make some aprons that will stay in your closet for when your grandchildren come for a visit or to give them to your grandchildren to take home.

Next, cover your table with a protective plastic tablecloth. You can get disposable ones at the dollar store. Or, you can buy plastic by the yard at a fabric store. This is more durable than what you get at the dollar store and will work for all of the arts and craft activities that you do with your grandchildren over the years. (I still have the one that I got when my children were young. It looks quite worn and used but it still protects my table just fine!)

There are simple water coloring books and even just coloring books that you can buy at the dollar store or Wal-mart for your grandchildren to paint in. Or, you can sketch a picture for your grandchild to paint or simply give your grandchild blank pieces of paper to create their own picture.

Young grandchildren might not wash their brush out very good when going from one paint color to the next. Don’t get uptight about that because if you’re stressed out, that can impact your grandchild’s willingness to paint and to be artistic. Afterward, simply clean up around the paint oval with a damp paper towel or a wet wipe.

I recommend that you get right in there and paint along side of your grandchildren. This simple activity can be just as rewarding and relaxing for you (if you let it) as it can be for your grandchildren!

When the pictures are dry, display your pictures by putting them on your fridge. Or, find a place to tie a string of yarn or light rope and hang your pictures from the string with clothespins.

What are some watercolor experiences that you’ve had with your grandchildren?