Toddler craft materials

[TheSingingLady]

Thinking of try to do some painting/crafts / messy play with my DD.

All the paints and most craft materials. that I've seen around say that they are not suitable for children under 36 months.

Is this pretty much across the board, or are there any craft materials designed specifically for children aged 18 months - 3 years?

I have noticed that also, must say I do still use things demeed not suitable by age, but close eye at all times. I also use household things loo roll, lollisticks, straws, and I get oddments of material, cut them up, amd we do collages. Leaves from the garden, egg boxes, buttons, sweetie wrappers.

I sound like blue peter,

Sounds fab colacubes

I get nervous because EVERYTHING goes into DD's mouth and I don't always catch her in time.

I love it, my dd was the same a little better now she is 2. how old is your dd? Another thing which we have done is pasta tubes, paint them let them dry then string them together, makes a wonderful necklace, oh and finger painting, very messy though, oh and potato cut outs, do you remember those from play school? What else is there will be getting excited all night now trying to think of wonderful things for you and dd!

oh string is great dip it in paint and make squiggly pictures, right going to have craft day on saturday, One tip I do have regarding mess and the floor and table, these mess mats you can buy can be quite expensive, but kiddies birthday table cloths, the plastic ones are just as good, you can wipe them clean, or dunk them in the bath, bit of fairy liquid, job done.

oohh - reading that last post has made me want to do potato printing!!

Thanks for all the great ideas.

Which paints would you recommend me getting? Any brands better than others for little ones? (DD is 20 months and I need to make sure paints/glues etc are totally non-toxic due to her enjoying putting everything in her mouth )

i have some reeves ready-mix paints that are still going strong about ten years on- so i'd definately recommend them - early learning do a good range of art stuff too.

Ignore them and make sure you sit with her. They are covering their backs.

kiddley

and

craft crow

both very good for ideas and links to more ideas

oh and we use either newspaper on floor or a cheap ikea sheet (costs about £2 iirc)

you can just bung it in the wash, very easy.