Playing as a family is one of the essential ways to build a connection with one another. Do you know what are some of your favorite ways to play together? For our family, having a family paint night is something we all enjoy. As the kids get older, it might not be what they suggest anymore, but if I do the work to set it all up, they still get into it.
Do you feel like your evenings can be a mash up of running kids to their activities, someone working late, homework, filming projects, school board meetings, and it’s rare to be all home on an evening together? That can’t be just me, right!?
It’s been a bit crazy over here. As I saw a night approaching where we would all be home (and knew we had all been carrying a lot), I wanted to create a fun moment for us to connect, play and recharge together. Here I give you our family paint night!
I love a good collaborative project.
When we all start with the same base shape or project, it’s fun to brainstorm and see the similarities and differences each of us comes up with. This is a fun way to see how each other’s mind thinks, portray individual interests into the project, and see the different styles and techniques emerge. The energy given off is usually lighthearted and playful, as the goal is to just have fun.
This egg garland project allows us to each have our own project, but they will be strung up together. It’s always fun to work towards something as a ‘team’.
The set up is part of the fun for me.
It’s been a while, since I have set up a paint workshop. I had so much fun picking out paint colors and pulling everything together. I have learned that although art can be freeing and messy, we still have a lot of power and control in what supplies we break out.
I choose to use just paint and only certain spring colors of paint. Even though my creative heart thought of glue and sequins. I decided to not break those out, and keep it more simple. As a result, it was…
- Less intimidating for artists to decide what they want to do.
- Less clean up for me.
Reagan did end up pulling out the black paint. Her creative heart needed it 🙂
Having the set up ready to go is helpful when you are inviting and asking for participation. It makes the start easier and you don’t lose any way-ward artists to distraction while you gather it all together.
The goal is to have fun.
We laughed and painted that night. I know the moods in our house were more uplifting, light-hearted and connected after this playful activity. It was a break in the fast pace of life. We slowed down and did something intentional together. It’s important to remember the goal is to have fun. If we put too much pressure on the results then it becomes stressful and we didn’t need anymore of that.
After all the eggs dried, I strung them up and added some fabric and yarn for extra texture fun. I love looking at it hung up now.
- I see my Caleb and his forever love of basketball.
- I see my Jeremiah in his blending and mixing of all kinds of colors to make his “perfect” purple shade.
- I see my Reagan having a vision and searching up how to paint a jellyfish and bunny.
- I see my husband putting so much care into his focused pieces, as he slows down from a busy day.
- I see my simple designs, because I had more fun watching and connecting everyone else.
Having a physical piece as part of this night’s memory makes the memory and connection that much stronger. If you haven’t played by a having a paint night with your family recently, I highly recommend it!
If you want to do this project, I may have a few of the kits I created left for sale in our store. It’s worth jumping over to check!
In summary, these are a few tips that help guide our family paint nights. I hope they can help you too!
We had so much painting.
Occasionally, we still reference jokes from that night, as we enjoy our new spring decoration together.
Having this activity right after dinner one night, made for a fun evening. After all the eggs were painted, I used the leftover paint to paint the paper that had been a part of our set up. I painted big swirls and smalls dots, as Matt told me about his day and the kids got going with the rest of their night. Having my hands creating, while talking has always been something I enjoy!
Those scrap papers became their own creation, as you can see below and snatch up in the store as well.
Now, what about you? Will you have a family paint night soon?
Remember, the most important part is to have fun. Protect your table, embrace the process, and watch your artists unplug as you connect together. It will be an experience you tuck away in the long term memories.
If you love this little imagination starter, you might enjoy my list of 30 Ways to Play as well. Enjoy!
