Encouraging your children to become little artists

When it comes to artistic endeavours in childhood, you might as well face up to the inevitable: there is going to be plenty of mess to go with your child's great masterpieces. But there are a few practical ways to prepare yourself – and the household – for the occasion, as well as a palette of painterly tools to inspire hours of fun.

BUDDING ARTISTS: getting prepared for parents

• SUPPLIES: Double-check that all the paints at your child's disposal are water-based and definitely washable. There's nothing worse than letting your child loose only to discover they've found their nanna's oil paints to play with.

We like: Classmates Ready Mixed Paint in Pastels (Pack of 6 x 600ml bottles), £7.86, Hope Education

We also like: Paint Sticks, from £8 Little Brian

• USE AN EASEL: On a sunny day, send them outdoors - after all there's plenty of inspiration in the golden autumnal leaves, the blue sky and the muddy puddles. A wooden easel is ideal for outdoors painting - just pop some newspaper underneath if you'd rather there didn't Jackson Pollock the patio.

We like: Painting easel for two children, £178.80, AJ Products

• THINK OUTSIDE THE PAINT BOX: If it's a wintery afternoon, turn the bathroom into their own artist's studio. It makes cleaning up uber-simple!

We Like: Kitpas Bath 10 Coloured Crayons, £20.95, Cocobanana

• LEAVE THE HOUSE: If you can't handle any mess at all, then check out a family session at a nearby gallery, or find out if there is a local playgroup where art activities are encouraged. Due to social distancing some may be on zoom at present.

We like: Art-K a art class for children aged 6 to 16 where they help students evolve into young artists through a creative programme designed to develop artistic skills and inspire imaginations. For more information: Visit Art-K for bookings in the studio classes, zoom classes and pre-recorded sessions

• ARTISTS PAD AT THE READY: Have a notebook at the ready, so that if you are out and about and your child is suddenly inspired, they can express themselves on something other than your new Hermes Birkin.

We like: PETIT COLLAGE Monsters Design & Draw Travel Activity Kit, £15, A Little Find

BUDDING ARTISTS: tools of the trade

• COVER-UP: We have suggested washable poster paints but, remember that dark colours can still stain, so you should also invest in a long-sleeved, full-length apron for your child.

We like: School Paint Smock, £13 John Lewis & Parnters (online only)

• MIX UP YOUR MEDIUM: Charcoal, chalk and pencils are all good, but avoid felt pens until your child is at least two, as your walls won't respond quite as flexibly to such mediums.

We like: OOLY Chalk-O-Rama Chalk Crayons, £10 for pack of 12, John Lewis & Partners.

• RECYCLED ART: Think about the potential in your food packaging before consigning it to the green council bin. Sit down with your child and join in as she will learn how to cut and stick more quickly by example rather than trial and error. Have a art kit on hand with pencils, scissors, glue and paints.

We like: KID MADE MODERN Studio in a box set, £50, Selfridges

• MAKE AN (COMPACT) ART GALLERY: You don’t need to hang every picture up, but pick out a few worthy efforts. We love the My Little DaVinci Wooden Picture Frame for 50 Artworks that holds a3 or a4 prints with built-in storage - just display their latest masterpiece while keeping up to 49 others behind it! Framing them in fun card frames, filed into a portfolio case or, uploading to Artkive or Canvsly are all great ways to preserve the ones you want to cherish.

• USE YOUR HANDS: Use Play dough not plasticine. It’s less mucky, smells better and is easier for small hands to manipulate. Fimo is a smoother version for children 6+, or you can go organic, with Play Mais (3+). You can make your own with flour, salt, water and a little oil. When your child is over three, you could try air-drying modelling clay, though models will shape better if you use pipe cleaners as a frame to build on.

We like: The sensory dough, £8 from Organised Chaos with Kids