Doing art projects with your toddler or preschooler is just plain fun. Fun for you, fun for him, fun to display on the fridge. But what can a child this young actually do? How old does he have to be? Well, if he can hold a crayon in his tight fist, let him try. If he can pat down a sticker, go for it. It’s amazing what toddlers can do once you take the time to show them how. Here are a few ideas for projects using cheap, easy-to-find materials. You and your child can do them together!

A few hints before you begin:

• Don’t try to do too much at once. One project at a time is enough. If you try to do painting with gluing, your child might get too frustrated and either give up or throw a tantrum. Start small, and when she masters one thing, you can add more to it.
• Art projects with toddlers are messy, but who cares. Getting your hands dirty is half the fun. Have all your materials on hand before you begin, including whatever you will need for clean up
• If your child starts whining and throwing the whole thing on the floor, it’s time to clean up and do something else. No need to frustrate the little guy.
• Some children are uncertain or wary of trying new things. Instead of trying to cajole or persuade your tot into participating, just start the project and exclaim over how much fun it is. If he just watches, that’s fine and normal and don’t worry about it! Give him a chance to warm up to the idea.

Okay, enough advice. Here come the ideas!

Coloring- It’s an old standby, and there’s a reason for that. It’s fun! Buy non-toxic crayons for your little ones who like to put everything in their mouths. Use blank paper and just scribble away. There is no need to buy fancy coloring books. Chances are, your child would ignore the pictures and just scribble anyway. Try letting your child put his hand on top of yours while you draw squiggly lines and spirals.

Gluing - All you need is some glue and some paper. Give your toddler some colorful shapes or pictures cut from magazines to glue down any way he likes. (You do the cutting in advance.) Show your older toddler how to make glue dots so that she doesn’t use too much. With a younger toddler, you put the glue on for her and let her stick it and pat it down.

Another Gluing Project- Glue shapes to a paper towel tube. It’s fun because it will roll or stand up on its own when you are finished.

Play Dough- Again, buy (or make) non-toxic, because it looks so yummy. Roll balls, make snakes, pat it down into pancakes. This is a good one to do in the high chair or kitchen floor. (Stay away from the carpet!) Give your toddler tools to use, such as spoons, forks, bowls, or even a stick to poke into the play dough. Here’s an easy recipe for easy homemade play dough:

1 cup cold water

1 cup salt

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

3 cups flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Food coloring

Optional - a few drops of vanilla, peppermint, or almond extract to make it smell nice

Mix together water, salt, oil and food coloring. Mix flour and cornstarch and add 1/2 cup at a time, stirring to blend. Cover your hands with flour, then knead the dough until it is the right consistency.

Finger Paint- Oooy, Gooey! Try painting with chocolate pudding on a white paper plate. Fun, and yummy too! (Moms recommend doing this one with no shirt on.) You can also add a little food coloring to vanilla pudding to make interesting colors or swirls.

Chalk- Either on a sidewalk or on a chalkboard. Give her lots of color choices. If you’re out on the sidewalk, this can be ended in a fun game of washing it away with the hose. It’s great fun for a hot summer day.

Stickers- Just holding a sticker can be great fun for a toddler. Show him how to pat it down on paper too. Make a sticker collage.

Paint with Water- You can find cheap paint with water books in grocery stores. Younger toddlers will need help getting the water on the brush. Another option is to pour about a cup of water onto a high chair tray. Add a couple of spoons, and watch your toddler splash away. You’ll end up with shiny, clean floors too!

Popsicle Sticks - Younger toddlers can have fun arranging and rearranging them, banging them together, throwing them off the table, and so forth. Older toddlers and preschoolers can try gluing them together to make fun shapes. Don’t try to get a toddler to make a house or a picture frame. Let your child creatively come up with his own inventions!

Glitter Sticks- You can find inexpensive glitter sticks or glue with glitter at dollar stores and grocery stores. Add a piece of paper and you’re on your way to a fine piece of art.

Silly Putty- Just roll it around, stretch it, snap it, flatten it, etc. Here’s a recipe for easy homemade silly putty:2 cups white school glue1 cup liquid starch Mix together and set aside until dry. Store in an airtight container.

Footprints, Finger Prints, and Hand Prints- Use washable paint on your toddlers hands and feet. Press onto paper or fabric. Let your toddler walk all around on some paper with painted feet. Decorate further with markers or glitter if you like. Frame it, and it makes a nice gift for a loved one.

Stamping - Use a self-inking stamp, press onto paper, and voila!

Noodles- Glue dry noodles (any shape or size) onto colored paper. Smaller children will need bigger noodles that are easier to pick up.

Butterfly- Cut out a butterfly shape from construction paper. Give your child some markers or (precut) colorful shapes to glue on as decorations.

Pinecone Bird Feeder - Let your child smear peanut butter all over a pine cone. Roll it in some bird seed. Find a good tree, and watch the birds enjoy. (Remember, the birds don’t care if it’s uneven and lumpy, and neither does your toddler.) If your particular toddler doesn’t understand how or doesn’t want to smear the peanut butter on the pinecone, you do one and let him watch. He may try next time, and this time he can help you find just the right spot to feed the birds.

Bubble Art - Put a few drops of food coloring into a bottle of bubbles. Go outside, blow bubbles, and catch them on white paper. Instant art! Note: wear a smock or an old t-shirt since the colored bubbles may stain clothing.

Bottle Shaker- Fill an empty bottle or baby food jar (plastic, not glass) with beans, rice or dry noodles. Add a little glitter if you’d like! Put a top on the bottle, and shake, shake, shake. Turn on some music and groove!

The most important thing to remember is that perfection is not your goal. Your goal is to introduce your child to new textures, experiences, and ideas. Have fun with it, and enjoy your toddler’s wonderful personality and creativity shining through.