I have recently found a fantastic blog named Bath Activities For Kids. There are some amazing play activities that take place in the bath – a perfect place for messy play because it is easy to clean up. There is such a wide choice of activities it was hard to choose but we opted for painting rainbows.
I bought what I believed to be a small paint roller. It turned out to be quite big and heavy so it wasn’t ideal.I squeezed four colours of children’s paint into the tray and mixed in a little washing up liquid. Although the paints were washable I wanted to make sure the paint didn’t stain the bathroom tiles.
I rolled the paint roller in the rainbow paint to ensure it was completely covered.
I had thought Adam would react badly to going into the bath fully clothed (all be it his painting pyjamas after Day 55s activity). The lack of water probably helped but Adam didn’t mind at all. I made the first rainbow stripe down the bathroom tiles and then gave Adam the roller paint.
The roller brush was too big and heavy for Adam to manoeuvre easily so Dad-dad gave a helping hand. Even the bath got painted.
I left various paint brushes in the bath along with the rainbow paint.
Adam found it easier to use the brushes independently.
Although it didn’t stop him trying to attempt the roller paint.
Dad-dad kept using the roller paint to cover Adam’s art work so he would have new paint to make marks on.
To be honest I was sceptical that the bathroom tiles would be easy to clean. So I decided to time myself. It only took 2 minutes 35 seconds to completely clean everything – even the roller paint and brushes. I used the shower to wash down the walls and a cloth to wipe the grouting. The tiles came up lovely!
This is certainly an activity we will do again – but next time with a smaller roller. We are already hooked on using the bath for more messy activities. Definitely check out Bath Activities for Kids for more bath play inspiration.
UPDATE:
I received a message on Facebook from Maddie explaining how she loved the rainbow bath tub painting idea. She did the activity with Gabriel, aged 21 months and sent me a photograph
Maddie replied “Absolutely loved it and it was so easy to clean. Will definitely be doing this weekly. Thank you for your blog! Such good simple ideas which I have never thought to do. Very grateful to have found it.”
Equipment:
* Paint roller and tray
* Children paint that is washable
* Washing up liquid
* Paint brushes
* A bath
Adam was 21 months old.
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Wow! what an impressive sight! I bet he loved that!
now that looks fun! my boy would love doing that and i love that it’d be easy to clean up afterwards! great post. #LetKidsBeKids
My OH would never let N do that in our bath. Mind you, we’ve got sheeting rather than tiles, so not glossy or a white base.
Looks like Adam had a great time. #letkidsbekids
Certainly not one to try with those walls. Perhaps you could just paint the bath?
What an awesome idea love it. We did the coloured bath foam not long ago and the kids loved it #let kidsbekids
Oooo – coloured bath foam – now that’s an idea!
What a fab idea…so going to try this. thanks for sharing! x
Let me know how you get on 🙂
Awesome idea, all the fun and none of the mess. Genius! #letkidsbekids
My bathroom walls have never been so clean!
Fantastic idea. Looks like lots of fun and mess.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
I love #LetKidsBeKids – a notion very dear to my heart.
Oh my wooly world! That’s so messy =P But fun looking. I want to try this! #LetKidsBeKids
I couldn’t believe how easy it was to clean up!
Ohh what a fun idea! My kids would probably want to take painting outside the tub which scares me. hahaha #letkidsbekids
I was surprised Adam didn’t want to paint my legs! Perhaps he will do next time.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this! We have a roller that we use quite often in play so I think its time we got it out again! Thank you once again for inspiring me!
x x
It was great fun. Looking forward to seeing photos x
Love the idea. Looks like great fun 🙂
Adam loved it. My husband was unsure at first!
Yeah mine will probably be too because it’s his turn to cm earning bath
Room
That looks like lots of fun, I’m not sure I would want to try it on my bathroom tiles though!! #letkidsbekids
I admit I was nervous but then didn’t have anything to loose as our tiles are awful!