Ice cube tray as kids' paint palette

Red Lotus Mama's smart art hack:

My daughter got an art easel for Christmas, so I bought her some Crayola washable paint to go along with it. She is only 2.5 years old, so holding a palette isn't about to happen, nor was filling up a bunch of little bowls that I would have to wash later.

Then I realized I had an ice cube tray sitting in the back of a kitchen shelf collecting dust. Each little pocket holds a dolop of paint, there are enough pockets for each color and the size of the tray fits perfectly in the easel shelf. It was so easy for her to dip her paint brush and these paints did not drip. It is perfect ... I didn't spend any more money and I have a little more space in my Tupperware cabinet!

Related: Modified paper cups as paint holders

And: Quick cleanup tips for paint-loving kids

Comments

[Robin]

Empty egg cartons work too :).

[Kaye]

What a fabulous idea! Thanks!!!

[Kristin]

This is a great idea. I ended up retiring an older divided plastic dinner plate for this use. I think the ice cube tray would work better. Thanks.

[Diana (Holes In My Shiny Veneer)]

I can't believe this is posted here-- I was just digging around for an extra ice cube tray 2 days ago! I couldn't find one and ended up using the little Tupperware deviled egg holder (that I never seem to use for deviled eggs!) It was great because not too much paint fit in it, so I didn't have to worry about my son "needing" more to paint for 15 minutes :)

[wesleyjeanne]

Like Robin, I use empty egg carton cups. The cardboard kind, I cut into fours, the plastic kind (why do organic eggs come in plastic cartons?), I leave intact and use to hold paint, beads, or other small craft supplies.
Great tip, as always.

[Eleanor in Houston]

I save segmented frozen food containers for all kinds of craft uses.