Busy kids – paint to encourage your children’s creativity

All the more important for them to have a sanctuary to retreat to, a place to call theirs. With all the fun twists on offer with paint, it’s easy to create an innovative and creative space, be it a bedroom or playroom.

When it comes to their rooms, the fun starts. The options for composing action-packed walls for their spaces are almost as limitless as their imaginations. You may have a rumpus calling for a playful lift or a bedroom to which your child wants to stamp their style.

Here are some ideas that are big on fun and style, and they also encourage your child’s creativity. Exploration helps with children’s mental and emotional development, whether through play, drawing or writing. As they learn, children love to communicate what knowledge they’ve acquired. So, what better way to encourage this than with paint?

After all, somewhere where they can go and keep themselves busy, and independent is always a good thing, right? We’re spending more time at home with our children, so creating a space where they love to be and seek rejuvenation is essential.

One way your child can express their creative mind in their bedrooms is with blackboard paint, which has maintained its popularity over the years. This is no surprise, given that it is both fun and practical!

Resene FX Blackboard Paint is a washable waterborne finish that can be used to create a blackboard finish. By incorporating it onto a wall in your child’s bedroom you’ll basically be providing them with a giant black canvas.

If you’d rather swap the black for a colour, but still want to write on your surface with chalk, use Resene FX Chalkboard Paint, which comes in a range of colours. It’s ideal if you want to continue décor accent colours onto your walls.

Blackboard or chalkboard surfaces allow children to let their imaginations run wild, draw with others and have that precious time to escape into their own thoughts.

Dedicate a whole wall to this surface or a fun-loving shape that it part of a wider mural such as a flower or a boat. Just ensure it is large enough for them to release their creativity. Make sure there is always plenty of different coloured chalk available and a cloth. Clean it completely with a wet cloth every now and again for a new lease of life – just check with your child first in case you rub off precious artwork!

This fun addition can be a place where they can express themselves or keep to-do lists for older kids. Simply hand them the chalk and let their ideas flow freely.

To add a magnetic layer on which to pin notes and pictures to your chalkboard, use a basecoat of Resene FX Magnetic Magic. Then simply apply your Resene FX Blackboard Paint or Resene FX Chalkboard Paint. The brilliant result will be a magnetic chalkboard that they can write on and pin their notes too as well.

One creative way of using Resene FX Magnetic Magic is by dividing your wall into two rows of squares in different coloured magnetic paint for a vibrant look. Or paint shapes such as large clouds or circles. It’ll turn a standard wall into an interactive space upon which children can play with magnets or arrange their artwork or writing as they wish.

Get photos printed on magnetic backing and create a photo wall that they can change around over time. So it is clear which part of the wall is magnetic, apply Resene FX Magnetic Magic to a whole wall or an area with a border defining it.

To keep the ability to write on walls but in a different way, look to whiteboard paint. Paint over your existing coloured wall paint in a light colour. Or if you’re seeking a change in colour on your walls, paint on your new chosen Resene colour. Then apply Resene FX Write-on Wall Paint on top. When dry, whiteboard markers can be used to write all over it. Simply wipe off with a cloth or whiteboard eraser when you want a change.

Children’s rooms are a chance to depart from the clinical look that may exist elsewhere in the home and have fun with textures and patterns and colour.

Add the wonder of sparkle to your children’s bedroom walls with Resene FX Pearl Shimmer. Its radiant sparkle can be applied to any Resene colour, and the result will not only let your child’s chosen colour adorn the walls, but also shine in the spectacle of its own sparkle. Just wait until you see how it glistens in the natural sunlight!

For those children who prefer to keep their colour choices low-key and in the neutral zone, Resene FX Pearl Shimmer still allows them to still have a bit of magic on their walls.

Of course, let them put their paper creations on display by way of a colourful peg board. Tie whatever colour you choose to paint this in with other accents in the room, be it primary or pastel tones.

There’s usually no end of bags, hats, and shoes lying around with children in the house. Storage solutions can be made fun by the use of stencils, glitter paint and coloured paint on various cupboard doors. By making each child’s storage option fun and bright, they know which space is theirs and should take ownership of their space.

Consider what your child likes to spend their time. Are they passionate about drawing, writing or reading? Zone a study nook in their bedrooms with a vibrant colour that they love. Incorporate it with a day bed or comfortable seat where they can sit back with a book while they’re not doing homework. Complete it with decent lamps and cushions that complement your desk colour.

Or zone out a reading space with coloured shapes painted onto floorboards. Apply a metallic finish here too – throw down some bean bags in complementary colours to your paint. Together with the fun colour, the comfortable seating will draw them into this sanctuary.

Children who love a bit of light to linger after the nights turn off will find Resene FX Nightlight glow-in-the-dark paint magical. Apply it in any shape you wish, be it stars or moon shapes for a galaxy theme.

Whether you use one of these ideas or all of them, these easy methods are sure to transform a simple bedroom into a fun-filled space full of character.

February 20, 2021

For more children’s room decorating ideas see the Resene Inspiration Gallery online. Visit your local Resene ColorShop for all the expert advice and products you need to bring out the best in your child’s space.

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