September 16, 2015
by Megan Schiller
How To Clean Up Messy Art
I often get asked for tips on how to clean up messy art and thought that it would make a great topic for our next video.
So feel free to bring your paints out of hiding and follow these tips! You will save time and stress and your kids won’t believe how willing you are to whip out the messy art projects.
Its All About The Tray
My number one tip for cleaning up messy art is that it’s all about the tray! I made a quick video for you, so you can see what I mean.
The tray that we use is a super sturdy plastic tray. I love that it is a white/transparent color, so it doesn’t distract from the art materials. You can find it here.
Do you shy away from messy art or do you have a good tip for easy clean up? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Genius!!! Where do you get those trays??? I keep seeing them on blogs. I want myself some!! I love the high sides. I use a plastic mat but things fall off the edge. At least this way, the mess stays contained and can’t fall off the sides/over the edge.
Thanks Brigitte! The trays are from Ikea, and are called SMULA trays. I posted a link right under the video. I agree, they are much better than mats for containing the mess.
Oh, you did include the link, yes. Thank you!! … I must admit i only speed read the article as it was late and funnily enough I was at IKEA yesterday and today. I could’ve got myself some! I didn’t even think as I did read this earlier too. Luckily it’s only 5 minutes from where I live … It’s the only one here in Perth (which is a city here in Australia – a population of 2 million people) so I’m lucky i don’t have to drive a long way like some people do … What a treat … My daughter who turns four this week ASKED me if she could go into the kids room yesterday all of her own doing??? Unheard of!!! i was wrapped and went and lazed around after I did what I needed … i was checking out mattresses as we’re getting her a big girls bed for her birthday!!! My little girls is obviously growing up for HER to ask to go in there! She’s only been in there once before with a little friend.
That’s awesome, Brigitte! And I’ve heard Perth is beautiful. I have been to the other side of Australia, but never made it to Perth. One day!
I like that for containing accidental messes, but my girls, ages 2.5 and 5, love to paint themselves! All over their bodies. Sometimes I’m willing to clean THAT mess up when they’re done, but sometimes I’m not. Sometimes I’ve got the energy to set and hold the limit of keeping the paint on the paper/tray/table, but sometimes I don’t. I should find the energy to do that rather than just not get out paint when I don’t want a big mess . . .
Jennifer, we went through that phase for a while and sometimes my 3 yr old will still paint her entire arms. She says she’s putting on sunscreen :)
There are times when I have to say, “this isn’t a messy art time, so only paint the paper, not your body.” She mostly listens. And when she does paint her arms, I just have to walk her into the bathroom when she’s finished and help her wash off in the sink.
Luckily, she’s usually wearing long pants and a shirt, so her arms are the only place that are exposed for painting.
It sounds like you are dong a good job of listening to your energy levels and also allowing messy art. It’s a balancing act :)
Love this charming video! Will have to pick up some of those trays. We also do a lot of messy art outside so I can hose my girls down when they are done!
Thanks, Shira! Outside messy art is the best :) You can even use a big bucket of warm soapy water on days when the hose is too cold.