10 Fun and Simple Paintings Activities for Toddlers


Tamar Andrews
3 min read

Make your families & teachers happier
All-in-one child care management platform with billing, attendance, registration, communication, payroll, and more!
5.0 Rating
Do you have a little artist at home? If so, we have the perfect list of painting activities for toddlers!
These activities are simple to set up and can be enjoyed by both you and your child. Painting is a great way to teach children about colors and shapes, while also providing them with an enjoyable creative outlet.
So get your aprons on and let's get painting!

Finger Painting
This is one of the most classic painting activities for toddlers. All you need is some paper, a few colors of washable paint, and your child's favorite color of finger-paints!
Encourage your toddler to explore different colors and textures.
Foil Printing
This activity is great for toddlers who are keen to explore different textures. All you need is some foil and washable paint.
Place the foil onto your painting surface, then use your child's fingers to spread the paint around. As they lift off the foil, watch as unique patterns appear!
Shaving Cream Painting
This painting activity is great for toddlers who need a little help with hand-eye coordination.
Spread some shaving cream onto your painting surface, then use drops of paint to create different colors and patterns.
As your toddler swipes the cream around, they'll discover new shapes and designs!
Color Mixing
Use this activity to help your toddler understand the basics of color mixing. You'll need a few colors of washable paint and some paper.
Let your toddler experiment with combining different colors of paint to create new shades.
Stamp Painting
This activity is a great way for your toddler to explore shapes and patterns.
All you need is some paint, paper, and different objects with interesting shapes (e.g. potatoes, corks, sponges).
Dip the object of your choice into the paint and stamp it onto your paper!
Marble Painting
Another great activity for exploring patterns and shapes! You'll need some marbles, a shallow dish, and paint.
Place the marbles in the dish and let your toddler add some drops of paint. Then watch as they move the marbles around to create random patterns.
This is the perfect painting for toddlers!

Sponge Painting
A great activity for teaching your toddler about shapes and textures!
Cut out some sponges into different shapes and use different colors of paint to create interesting patterns.
Textured Painting
Introduce your toddler to a tactile painting experience with this activity. Simply gather some kitchen items such as plastic spoons, containers, and straws.
Now fill these with your favorite colors of paint and let your toddler have fun painting with the different textures!
Foam Painting
This activity is great for toddlers who love to explore different textures. You'll need some foam, paint, and paper.
Cut the foam into smaller pieces and let your toddler use it to create interesting patterns.
Puffy Paint
Let your toddler explore a new painting technique with this activity. You'll need some puffy paint, paper, and a few containers.
Mix the paint in different colors and let your toddler explore the 3D effect of their artwork.
No matter which painting activity you choose, your toddler will be sure to have a colorful and creative time! So get your supplies and make these simple paintings!
Do you have a little artist at home? If so, we have the perfect list of painting activities for toddlers!
These activities are simple to set up and can be enjoyed by both you and your child. Painting is a great way to teach children about colors and shapes, while also providing them with an enjoyable creative outlet.
So get your aprons on and let's get painting!

Finger Painting
This is one of the most classic painting activities for toddlers. All you need is some paper, a few colors of washable paint, and your child's favorite color of finger-paints!
Encourage your toddler to explore different colors and textures.
Foil Printing
This activity is great for toddlers who are keen to explore different textures. All you need is some foil and washable paint.
Place the foil onto your painting surface, then use your child's fingers to spread the paint around. As they lift off the foil, watch as unique patterns appear!
Shaving Cream Painting
This painting activity is great for toddlers who need a little help with hand-eye coordination.
Spread some shaving cream onto your painting surface, then use drops of paint to create different colors and patterns.
As your toddler swipes the cream around, they'll discover new shapes and designs!
Color Mixing
Use this activity to help your toddler understand the basics of color mixing. You'll need a few colors of washable paint and some paper.
Let your toddler experiment with combining different colors of paint to create new shades.
Stamp Painting
This activity is a great way for your toddler to explore shapes and patterns.
All you need is some paint, paper, and different objects with interesting shapes (e.g. potatoes, corks, sponges).
Dip the object of your choice into the paint and stamp it onto your paper!
Marble Painting
Another great activity for exploring patterns and shapes! You'll need some marbles, a shallow dish, and paint.
Place the marbles in the dish and let your toddler add some drops of paint. Then watch as they move the marbles around to create random patterns.
This is the perfect painting for toddlers!

Sponge Painting
A great activity for teaching your toddler about shapes and textures!
Cut out some sponges into different shapes and use different colors of paint to create interesting patterns.
Textured Painting
Introduce your toddler to a tactile painting experience with this activity. Simply gather some kitchen items such as plastic spoons, containers, and straws.
Now fill these with your favorite colors of paint and let your toddler have fun painting with the different textures!
Foam Painting
This activity is great for toddlers who love to explore different textures. You'll need some foam, paint, and paper.
Cut the foam into smaller pieces and let your toddler use it to create interesting patterns.
Puffy Paint
Let your toddler explore a new painting technique with this activity. You'll need some puffy paint, paper, and a few containers.
Mix the paint in different colors and let your toddler explore the 3D effect of their artwork.
No matter which painting activity you choose, your toddler will be sure to have a colorful and creative time! So get your supplies and make these simple paintings!
Do you have a little artist at home? If so, we have the perfect list of painting activities for toddlers!
These activities are simple to set up and can be enjoyed by both you and your child. Painting is a great way to teach children about colors and shapes, while also providing them with an enjoyable creative outlet.
So get your aprons on and let's get painting!

Finger Painting
This is one of the most classic painting activities for toddlers. All you need is some paper, a few colors of washable paint, and your child's favorite color of finger-paints!
Encourage your toddler to explore different colors and textures.
Foil Printing
This activity is great for toddlers who are keen to explore different textures. All you need is some foil and washable paint.
Place the foil onto your painting surface, then use your child's fingers to spread the paint around. As they lift off the foil, watch as unique patterns appear!
Shaving Cream Painting
This painting activity is great for toddlers who need a little help with hand-eye coordination.
Spread some shaving cream onto your painting surface, then use drops of paint to create different colors and patterns.
As your toddler swipes the cream around, they'll discover new shapes and designs!
Color Mixing
Use this activity to help your toddler understand the basics of color mixing. You'll need a few colors of washable paint and some paper.
Let your toddler experiment with combining different colors of paint to create new shades.
Stamp Painting
This activity is a great way for your toddler to explore shapes and patterns.
All you need is some paint, paper, and different objects with interesting shapes (e.g. potatoes, corks, sponges).
Dip the object of your choice into the paint and stamp it onto your paper!
Marble Painting
Another great activity for exploring patterns and shapes! You'll need some marbles, a shallow dish, and paint.
Place the marbles in the dish and let your toddler add some drops of paint. Then watch as they move the marbles around to create random patterns.
This is the perfect painting for toddlers!

Sponge Painting
A great activity for teaching your toddler about shapes and textures!
Cut out some sponges into different shapes and use different colors of paint to create interesting patterns.
Textured Painting
Introduce your toddler to a tactile painting experience with this activity. Simply gather some kitchen items such as plastic spoons, containers, and straws.
Now fill these with your favorite colors of paint and let your toddler have fun painting with the different textures!
Foam Painting
This activity is great for toddlers who love to explore different textures. You'll need some foam, paint, and paper.
Cut the foam into smaller pieces and let your toddler use it to create interesting patterns.
Puffy Paint
Let your toddler explore a new painting technique with this activity. You'll need some puffy paint, paper, and a few containers.
Mix the paint in different colors and let your toddler explore the 3D effect of their artwork.
No matter which painting activity you choose, your toddler will be sure to have a colorful and creative time! So get your supplies and make these simple paintings!
Playground is the only app directors need to run their early child care center. Playground manages marketing, registration, billing, attendance, communication, paperwork, payroll, and more for child care programs. 300,000+ directors, teachers, and families trust Playground to simplify their lives.
Learn more by scheduling a free personalized demo.
10 Fun and Simple Paintings Activities for Toddlers
Published Mar 2, 2023
|
Sasha Reiss
Classroom Management
Related articles

Enrollment
Introducing Predictive Enrollment: Smarter Planning Starts Here
Get ahead of enrollment challenges with Predictive Enrollment. Discover how this new Playground tool helps you forecast openings, reduce surprises, and make smarter planning decisions.

Daniel McDonnell
Jul 15, 2025

Enrollment
Introducing Predictive Enrollment: Smarter Planning Starts Here
Get ahead of enrollment challenges with Predictive Enrollment. Discover how this new Playground tool helps you forecast openings, reduce surprises, and make smarter planning decisions.

Daniel McDonnell
Jul 15, 2025

Enrollment
Introducing Predictive Enrollment: Smarter Planning Starts Here
Get ahead of enrollment challenges with Predictive Enrollment. Discover how this new Playground tool helps you forecast openings, reduce surprises, and make smarter planning decisions.

Daniel McDonnell
Jul 15, 2025

Family Engagement
Why Parent Advisory Committees Matter in Child Care
Discover how Parent Advisory Committees (PACs) strengthen family partnerships, improve programs, and build community in early childhood education. Learn how to launch one in your center.

Daniel McDonnell
Jul 9, 2025

Family Engagement
Why Parent Advisory Committees Matter in Child Care
Discover how Parent Advisory Committees (PACs) strengthen family partnerships, improve programs, and build community in early childhood education. Learn how to launch one in your center.

Daniel McDonnell
Jul 9, 2025

Family Engagement
Why Parent Advisory Committees Matter in Child Care
Discover how Parent Advisory Committees (PACs) strengthen family partnerships, improve programs, and build community in early childhood education. Learn how to launch one in your center.

Daniel McDonnell
Jul 9, 2025
Start making your families and staff happier
Say goodbye to juggling several platforms and streamline operations with Playground




© 2025 Carline Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2025 Carline Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2025 Carline Inc. All rights reserved.