There is no end to the number of creative projects your child can complete with paint. Here you will find unique ideas that go well beyond a plastic palette and a little brush. Nowadays, you can find paints that are washable to cut down on the cleanup. Also, you should be sure to opt for nontoxic paints whenever you can. As a general rule, tempera paints are best for young artists — watercolors come in less vibrant colors and tend to run, which might frustrate your child. You will also discover that you do not necessarily need store-bought paint for your painting projects!

Wet Chalk Pastels

Using this new take on an old art material, these paintings will look like a professional artist was at work!

• Show your child how to dip the chalk into the water and let it sit for a minute.

• Once the chalk is wet, show your child how to color on the paper — don't press too hard, or the paper will tear. The wet chalk will look like pastel paints.

Sticker Surprise

This activity will help develop your toddler's fine motor skills. Along with or instead of stickers, you can use return address labels, gummed paper reinforcers, or simply pieces of masking tape.

• Allow your toddler to choose the stickers that she wishes to use. Stickers with distinctly shaped outlines work best.

• Show her how to attach the stickers to the paper in any arrangement that she chooses.

• Paint over the entire paper, covering the stickers.

• Once the paint is dry, help your toddler remove the stickers to reveal the outlines of the sticker shapes.

Put Those Paintbrushes Away

Break away from the routine. Let your child's creativity be the only limit to the materials she can use to paint with.

• Let your child paint using any number of paintbrush substitutes. She will find that each tool makes a different mark on the paper.

Reverse Finger Painting

This nifty process will let your child preserve her finger-painting creations. You can have her paint directly on the table or onto a cookie sheet for easier cleanup.

• Have your child finger paint on a flat surface.

• Press the white construction paper on top of the finger paint and rub — a mirror image of the design will transfer to the paper.

Mirror-Image Painting

No two pictures will ever be exactly alike! Watch your child's delight when she opens up the paper to reveal the new design.

• Fold a sheet of paper in half and crease down the middle. Unfold paper.

• Let your child paint a design on one half of the paper, using the crease as a guide.

• Fold the paper in half and show your child how to gently rub over the painted design inside.

• Let your child unfold the paper to reveal her new double design.

Ball Painting

It's like magic — when you open the box, you'll find a picture painted inside!

• Cut a piece of paper to fit the bottom of the box. Tape it securely in place.

• Pour small amounts of paint into the pie tins. Show your toddler how to dip a ball into the paint.

• Have her place the paint-covered ball into the shoe box. Cover the box with the lid.

• Let your child gently roll and shake the box around.

• Remove the ball. Repeat with as many other balls and colors as desired.