Art With Ashley: Limited Space for an Easel? Create an Art Wall

Create space on the wall for your children to get crafty.

Use magnetic paint primer underneath a painted hillside, roadway, garden, city scene etc. Give your children magnets so that they can role play right on the wall. Remember when painting your scene to keep it simple so that your children’s imaginations have more room to run wild.

If you really want to see your children’s minds at work– use chalkboard paint OVER magnetic paint and let them create their OWN scenes.

If you have trouble finding the magnets that you are looking for, well…let your children help you create their own. Purchase wooden appliques from a craft store and let them paint them - then, glue magnet strips to the back. The possibilities are endless.

Another solution for a “true” easel affect within a limited space is to mount brackets the width of a roll of craft paper on the wall and hang a roll of paper from a curtain rod – your children can pull the paper down at their leisure. Mount a caddy beside the paper to keep paint, markers and crayons at their reach at all times.

Magnetic primer and chalkboard paint can be found at your local home improvement store.