Around the same time that I had the idea to make homemade watercolors, I was cleaning up books off the floor…one of which happened to be an ANCIENT “Paint with Water” book my grandma found in HER basement and gave to the boys (circa 1979). Seriously, this thing is vintage…
I decided while I was making the homemade watercolors, I would just go ahead and make my own version of the “paint with water” pages before the watercolors dried. I figured this would be an awesome art project to take along on our upcoming trip to the lake. Big Brother loves to paint, so I can just bring these and a paintbrush and let him paint while on vacation!
(Hint: If you don’t want to make your own watercolors, you could just use these handy-dandy watercolor pencils
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| 1. Print off some free coloring pages ON CARDSTOCK. I just did a search for free printable coloring pages. I also used a few pages from the Cars Preschool Pack from 1+1+1=1. |
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| 2. Make up a batch of some homemade watercolors. Make sure it’s a fresh batch because it will need to be “wet” to make the pages. |
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| 3. Use a thin paintbrush to paint dots and lines spaced apart on your coloring pages. Let them dry. |
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| 4. When you’re ready for your little one to get started, just give them one of the “paint with water” pages, a brush, and some water. |
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| The other pages fit nicely inside a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Just tuck the brush in there too to take along with you! |
I looove this idea. You can print coloring pages of your photos at kodak.com and how cool would it be to make a paint with water of your own photos?
Great idea, thanks so much! My 2 will love this.
Love this idea!
Super!! I've also done this using watercolor markers! :)
oh awesome thanks!! I have been looking for these types of books but this is way cheaper!
Great take along idea! That would be fantastic for a restaurant!
I had that vintage coloring book when I was little!!!!
This is a wonderful idea! Thank you so much. I will be trying this soon. :)
I love it that 1979 is "vintage". I got married that year, had my first baby at the end of 1980. Does that make my daughter "vintage", too?
Books (and cars and clothes) from 1979 are vintage…not people. :)
Love this idea! Sharing it with my friends!
Momma C
http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com
http://www.ouroutofsynclife.blogspot.com
This is definitely an idea I'm going to have to try!
Will be trying this out. You amaze me!!!
http://www.everydayonpurpose.blogspot.com
What a great idea! Your kids are super blessed to have you as their mom :).
I love this! I can't wait to try it with my 2yr old!
We were just looking for these books! I can't wait to try it with DS!
Wonderful idea-thanks so much! I used to love these when I was little, and you can't find them often anymore!
Great idea!
Thank you so much for sharing. I gave a Hello Kitty book to my daugther for Christmas and she’s already painted her way through it. She loves it so much and I most definately will be making more for less :)
So neat! We are thinking about making some Valentine cards like this for others! We shared a link to this post with our readers here http://theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/2011/12/afterschool-express-happy-new-year.html
To make this fabulous travel craft even more portable, try an Aqua Pen. I got mine from Stampin’ Up!, but I’ve also found them on Amazon. This little brush holds the water in its handle. No open cup of water to get knocked over. They’re kind of pricey, but mine (with adult use) have lasted forever. I found a less expensive version on Amazon and might try them with the kids.
I just love this project! I’ll be linking to it tomorrow on my blog: http://thehomemadeoasis.blogspot.com/