“Don’t write on the walls!”
Well why not? Children’s spaces, whether it’s your little one’s bedroom, a play area for your home nursery, or just a place for the grandkids to hang out, should encourage imagination and creativity. And yes, that can even include writing on the walls!
Before you let the kids loose with a box of crayons, though, here are a few ideas to try:
1. Chalkboard Paint: The Things They Do Now With Paint! Yes, if you have a few hours to spare, you can transform a bare wall in your home into a blackboard, so the kids can create, erase and create some more…
2. Chalkboard Paint Alternative: If you don’t feel like painting but still like the idea of a chalkboard, you can also pick and paste chalkboard panels. For ideas, check out WallCandy® Arts – they make standard rectangular chalkboard panels as well as other shapes, including circles and jungle animals (yes, elephants, giraffes, and even hippos).
3. Dry-Erase Boards: If your kids are a little older and you feel “safe” trusting them with markers, consider installing a dry-erase board. Create, erase and create some more, this time without the chalk dust.
4. Magnetic Paint: There’s more than one way to add an interactive element to those bare walls, and magnetic paint is another nifty alternative. Unfortunately, most common refrigerator magnets don’t work well with magnetic paint. Instead, use flexible rubber magnetic sheets. Kids can even make their own magnetic shapes after a quick trip to the hobby store. Also, if you can’t decide between chalkboard paint and magnetic paint, check out Magnamagic(TM), one of the most popular manufacturers of magnetic wall paint, for magnetic chalkboard paint.
5. Felt Board Walls: Felt boards are popular with toddlers and preschoolers, and it’s easy to make your own. Using spray adhesive, glue a large piece of felt or flannel to a thin plywood panel, then fasten it firmly to the wall. You can then buy pre-made felt shapes or, if you’re feeling crafty, make your own.