I have always admired how my cousin Stephanie, who is a Montessori teacher, decorates her home with really cool art. At the beginning, I thought she painted them all, but then I found out it was a collaboration between her and her children. I thought that was fantastic! I told myself that when my children were old enough to paint, I would absolutely love to do that with them.

I'm so happy we had the chance to do this art as a big family. Stephanie brought her acrylic paints and my mother in love(law) Sarah brought the canvases. Thank you ladies!

In reality, this is a very straightforward and simple art project that requires only an open heart and some imagination to make whatever you want with your children.

Materials(recap):

Canvas of any size you like( think about the space you want to decorate!)
acrylic paints
brushes ( art teacher recommendation: go for the big chunky cheap ones when doing art with children)
painters tape
cups with water( for rinsing brushes)
paper towels (to clean up messes and little hands)
paper plates ( to pour the paint)
music in the background (thanks uncle Matt!)

Extras:

Glitter
Beads
Crumbled paper

Instructions:

For art with the littles: Use painters tape and use it ad libitum on the canvas you are working on. The less symmetrical the more interesting, so rip that tape and don't apologize. Wink.
Ask them what their art is for, their room? their bedroom? What set of colors would they like to use?.
Pour their choice of paint(s) on a paper plate.
Give them a chunky brush and let your little artists be free!

Some extra ideas from the ladies:

As you can see in the picture above, there are many possibilities..

A geometrical approach: geometric shapes such a triangles and circles take center stage.
A free art form approach: color combinations and texture take center stage.
A pattern approach: painters tape will help you do the work seamlessly( think parallel lines).

These are just a few ideas, let your inner artist fly!