By: Emily Shwake

Take their artwork to the next level! Painting is fun on its own, and it is always fun to mix up an old favorite.

1. Marble paint: Forget splatter paint! Leave the oldie but goodie behind with these project that is sure to excite your nieces and nephews. Drop small amounts of nail polish (we hear this works best) into a tray of water. Have them pull the paint in different directions using a toothpick. Finally, Gently place a piece of paper onto the surface. Pull it up to see what they have created! 

2. Face paint: Who says they have to wait for the carnival to come to town? Paint their faces using paint that is safe for the skin. (Don’t forget to ask their parents first!) Check out this site for great ideas or ask them who they want to be for a day. When you’re done (and if you are brave) let the kids paint your face as well.

3. Paint with bubbles: What a cool way to make art! Simply pour bubble mixture into small trays (you can use a palette or even an old ice cube tray) and gently stir in different food colorings into each tray. Have your nieces and nephews blow the colored bubbles onto their canvas and they will have a masterpiece!

4. Foam paint: Foam paint is all the rage these days. Make a 3D masterpiece with your nieces and nephews. Have them paint on a box for more dimensional fun! Don’t forget that this stuff dries flat, so take a picture before it does! You can buy it or make it using this recipe.

5. Picture frame: Help them make a picture your nieces and nephews will cherish forever. Print out some selfies you took with the kids ahead of time to put in the frames. Wooden picture frames go for cheap at craft stores. Incorporate glitter, puffy paint, and scrapbook paper for a mixed media project. Reverse the project and frame their artwork to make them really proud of the work they have done!

Published: July 27, 2016