Sharing Our Kids' Art Space

5/2/2012

By Christie Burnett

I have been collecting the items needed for a little art space in Immy’s playroom for some months now. The table, storage drawers, stools came together easily with our wooden easel but I really wanted to have a special area for displaying Immy’s artwork. Originally I planned to paint the wall with magnetic paint but then found that they don’t sell it in Australia any more. Then I thought I might paint a frame or a series of frames on the wall (I seem to like that idea as you can see here in Immy’s bedroom) but I was a bit worried that my painting ability might fail me. Then I saw this gorgeous nursery wall over at Hanna Mac (found via Li’l Magoolie) and I thought, “Why not just do it, you can always paint over it!”

I sent Dad 101 off for a sample pot of bright yellow paint, grabbed a pencil, ruler and artist’s paintbrush and set to work. It took a couple of hours but I am so pleased with the results. Now if you are really worried about your ability to paint straight on the walls then I am sure that these DIY removable fabric decal frames would work just as well.

I also wanted to add a space where Immy could hang her own pieces which came together as a display wire with pegs. Plus I loved the yellow so much that our easel also saw a little painting action.

"Why not just do it, you can always paint over it!"

I know we are blessed to have space for a playroom but I cannot tell you how great this little art space is. Immy spends time everyday drawing, cutting and pasting in her little nook!

The details:

Vika Alex Drawer Unit, Ikea
Sansad Children’s Table, Ikea
Mammut Children’s Stools, Ikea
Grundtal Rail, Ikea (unfortunately the hanging containers shown no longer appear to be available here)
Deka Curtain Wire, Ikea
Spring Peg Set, The Toy Bug

Need help thinking beyond crayons and playdough when it comes to creative activities for your child? Head to the Art Shed Brisbane!

More of Christie's Columns

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Author

Christie Burnett an Early Childhood Teacher with (too) many years experience teaching in primary schools, starting up and directing a child care centre, and working as a presenter and consultant educating other educators. She also works as a freelance writer with recent articles appearing in Practical Parenting, My Child and Childcare Australasia magazines and online at Kleenex Mums, Huggies Australia and Coles Online.

Christie writes the Blog childhood 101 which she began as a new mum trying to get her head around "this parenting caper".
She says she naively thought parenting her daughter Immy would be easy after 15 years working as an Early Childhood Teacher.
Her blog childhood 101 explores, discusses and shares all things ‘childhood', including parenting issues, play ideas, early learning topics, how to get organised with kids at home, and the everyday trials and tribulations of being a parent in this busy, modern-day world. Christie has kindly allowed KindyNews to publish some of her work!