Anything But Brushes

This is part 1 of what I plan to be a series of posts containing links to awesome activities to do with kids. My goal is to find things that are easy for the parents and fun for the kids. I've had a good time gathering these and I hope they give you some inspiration and tips to get you started. Good luck and I'd love to hear how it goes!

Splatter Painting

"girl pollock" by Sooz

*Splatter Painting from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

*Pollock Splatter Painting from Paint Cut Paste

*Splatter Paint Kids Craft from Jolly Jansen

Feather Painting

*Feather Painting from Forgetful Momma

*Painting with Feathers from Learning and Teacher with Preschoolers

*Painting with Feathers from Stir the Wonder

*Which end of the Feather is more interesting to paint with? from Teach Preschool

String/Yarn Painting

*Pulled String Painting from Inspiration Laboratories

*String Painting from Stay-at-Home Educator

Fly Swatter Painting

Wendy Copley, via Flickr

*Fly Swatter Painting from Reading Confetti

*Fly Swatter Painting from Play Create Explore

*Fly Swatter Painting from Joyfully Weary

Painting with Rocks

*Rolling Rock Painting from Tinkerlab

*Painting with Rocks from Fantastic Fun and Learning

Bubble Painting

*Bubble Painting from Meet the Dubiens

*Bubble Printing Fun from The Chocolate Muffin Tree

*Bubble Painting from Jojoebi Designs

*Summer Fun Bubble Painting from Playing House in Maryland

Popsicle/Ice Cube Painting

*Ice Cube Painting from P is for Preschooler

*Summer Fun Ice Painting from Growing A Jeweled Rose:

*Fun in the Sun Ice Paint from Learn Play Imagine

*Popsicle Painting from The Picky Apple

*Popsicle Painting from Little Learners Lounge (with food coloring)

Painting with Pine Branches/Pine Cones

*Painting with Pine Branches from The Artful Parent

*Pine Cone Painting from You'll Thank Me One Day

*Painting with Pine Cones from A Mommy's Adventures

*Pine Cone Leaf Painting from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

Cookie Cutter Painting

*Cookie Cutter Art (with glitter) from Our Share of Crazy

*Painting with Cookie Cutters from Mama Papa Bubba

Painting with wheels (toy cars)

*Monster Truck & Hot Wheels Painting from Our Holly Days
*Race Painting from Housing A Forest
*Painting with Wheels at The Artful Parent:
*Toy Truck Painting from Play Create Explore
*Paint Car Tracks from Juggling with Kids
*Car Painting in A Box from House of Baby Piranha

Rubber Band Painting

*Rubber Band Splatter Painting from Green Owl Art

*Splatter Painting (with toothbrushes!) from Life with Moore Babies

*Rubber Band Splatter Painting from A Mommy's Adventure

*Rubber Band Painting from Reading Confetti

*Elastic Painting from Watch Me Play and Learn

Painting with Fruits/Vegetables

by Kaylhew via Flickr

*Apple Star Painting from I Can Teach My Child
*Apple Stamping from Mama Papa Bubba

*Potato Painting from Made With Love UK
*Heart Potato Stamp from Homemade Serenity
*Potato Painting from Kiddie Gardens

*Corn Cob Painting from Strong Start
*Corn Painting from the Pumpkin Patch
*Thanksgiving Corn Painting from The Brilliant Tree

*Flower Stamp From Celery by Pocketful of Posies
*Celery Paint and Stamp from My Buddies and I:
*Painting with Vegetables (including celery, carrots and bok choy) from Little Hiccups

Pour Painting

*Pour Painting from Housing A Forest

*Pour Painting on Terra Cotta from Dilly-Dali Art

*Pour Painting Pots from Happiness is Homemade

*Tall Paintings from Teacher Tom

Painting with Balls

*Tennis Ball Painting from Purple Frangipani
*Tennis Ball Painting from The Fairy and the Frog

*Slide Painting with Textured Balls from Growing A Jeweled Rose

*Preschoolers Painting with Balls from Kids Activities Blog

by Skrabalica, via Flickr

*Marble Painting from Aggieland Mommy
*Marble Painting from The Mother Huddle
*I Found My Marbles from Daily Messes

Spray Bottle/Squirt Gun Painting

*Squirt Bottle Painting (using condiment squirt bottles) from Mess For Less

*Make your own paint to go in squirt bottles from Fit Kids Club

*Using water with food coloring in water guns by Pinky's Learning World

*Water Gun Art from Fun Moms

*Water Gun Painted Fish from Toddler Approved

*Water Gun Painting at Somewhat Simple

Bubble Wrap

*Bubble Wrap Prints from First Palette
*Bubble Wrap from Kindergarten Muse
*Bubble Wrap Painting Bath from Bath Activities for Kids
*Bubble Wrap Painting and Printing from In Lieu of Preschool

Straw Painting

*Blow Painting from One Perfect Day

*Wind Painting from Mamas Like Me

*Straw Blown Paintings from The Imagination Tree

*Blow Painting (with googly eyes!) from Raising Sparks

Pom-Poms and Pipe Cleaners

*Painting with Pipe Cleaners from So Says Sarah

*Stamp Painting with Pipe Cleaners from Blogging The Moments

*Pom-Pom Painting from Crayon Box Chronicles

*Paint with Pom-Poms from Fantastic Fun and Learning

Water Balloon Painting

*Water Balloon Painting from Because I Said So

*Water Balloon Splat Painting from Brenna Phillips

*Paint Play (including Balloon POP Painting, Balloon Punch Painting, Water Balloon Painting and Balloon Squirt Painting) from Growing A Jeweled Rose

Pool Noodle Painting

*Pool Noodle Painting Craft from Glued to My Crafts

*Pool Noodle Printing from the Chocolate Muffin Tree

Sponge Painting

*Sponge Painting from Picklebums

*Sponge Paint Activity from No Time For Flashcards

*Sponge Block Painting from Toddler Toddler

*Sponge Painting from First Palette

Paper Towel/Toilet Paper Roll Painting

*Painting with Paper Towel Rolls from Hello Bee

*Heart Stamps from Rust Sunshine

*Stamping with Toilet Paper Rolls from Lydia's Cozy Corner

Other: Slides and Strainers and More

*Exploring Art With Kids (using strainers) from Kids Activities Blog

*Slide Painting from Mess for Less

*Sidewalk Painting With Brooms from All Over The Spectrum

*Painting With Bikes from Golden Gleam

*Comb-Painted Rainbows from No Time For Flash Cards

And finally, that age old favorite:

Body Painting/Finger Painting

*The Funnest Kind of Painting by Curly Birds

*Finger Painting Bags from Play for A Day:

*Mess-free art from Mama Smiles

*Hand and Feet Painting from Activities with Kids

*Summer Fun Body Painting from One Hook Wonder

*Finger Painting Fun from Casa Maria's Creative Learning Zone