SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun

March 2019

4 Ways Painting the Home with your Kids will make this the best-ever March Holidays

Painting the home with your kids sounds like a daunting task. But it’s a project that can build family bonds and teach the kids some life lessons as well. 

Unleashing kids armed with paints on the walls of your home sounds like a massive cleanup in the making, and an all-round disaster for the cleaner-upper (read: you). Which responsible, home-loving, and most importantly, sane parent, would do it? But here we are encouraging this crazy idea. Why? Because, parents, it can be done, and it can be good.

The plan is to take advantage of the upcoming March holidays to give the house a refreshing new look — with the kids. We’ve asked the experts at AkzoNobel (who manufacture Dulux paints) for some ideas as well, so look out for these below and incorporate them into your family painting party. Everyone will have a blast, we’re sure.

(See aslo: 34 Awesome Activities for the March Holidays 2019)

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1. It’s like easy meditation

Up and down, up and down, up and down. And as you do that you see an immediate transformation on your walls. How gratifying! When you get into ‘flow state‘ and you’re “in the zone”, painting becomes almost like a meditation. Think the kids can’t do it? Think again. You’ve seen them like this when they really get into an activity that they like – colouring, for instance. This can help develop their patience and focus.

2. It’ll expand the children’s imaginations

Your child’s artistic pursuits have previously been confined to A4 sheets of paper, or the ubiquitous B4-sized drawing block that’s part of every primary school booklist. Why limit the kids though? Give them walls, let them expand their imaginations, and think BIG. Who knows, you may have a Banksy in your midst.

TRY: A fantasy themed bedroom where the kids can allow their creativity to run wild. How to do it? With the Dulux Far Away Places kit (wish it existed when we were young!). This easy-to-use DIY painting system comes with everything you need to create an inspiring room with your little ones. Choose from eight different themes: Under the Sea, Princess Castle, Up in the Sky, Into the Woods, Safari Land, City of Heroes, Into Space, and Treasure Island. Each kit comes with stencils, stickers, masking tape, paint samples and how-to guides so even the least artsy of us can create a masterpiece, easy as A-B-C!

(See also: 16 Stores for Great Kids Room Decor in Singapore)

3. It’s a great family bonding experience

Creating something together is a powerful way to forge bonds. But it’s not just the act that makes a difference. The beginning of bonding starts when you and the kids decide on the project, and start planning. Which walls should we paint? What colours shall we use? Why? Discuss, argue, throw out ideas, discard them, and plan again. Watch their inner designers emerge as they learn how to negotiate, visualise, and conceptualise – skills that every 21st-Century kid needs to have.

(See also: 5 Essential 21st-Century Skills For Every Child)

TRY: If the thought of painting all the walls in the house is too overwhelming, try feature walls. They are a fun and easy way to refresh a room, one wall at a time. While most feature walls use a single block of colour, you can up the impact by incorporating different hues through bold alternating stripes or even a subtle ombre effect. Get the kids involved by letting them be creative with the shade selection or sketching out the design.

TIP #1: Not sure what colour to paint? Use the Dulux Visualizer (download this free from the Apple App store or Google Play Store) to see the colour on your walls before you commit to painting. If you’re stuck between shades, you can also order Dulux Colour Play testers to be delivered to your doorstep, and test out the colours directly on your wall before making your decision.

TIP #2: Did you know that selected colours may enhance your child’s development? For example, light blues have been shown to have a calming effect on children, while soft greens can facilitate their ability to concentrate. Bolder shades like orange can encourage confidence, and energise. However, use vibrant hues in moderation as too much can lead to overstimulation.

4. DIY Painting is actually pretty easy!

Though it might seem intimidating at first, painting is a quick and straightforward task. Furthermore, colour can instantly transform the look and feel of any space. With minimal time and effort, a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into a tired interior or add your own personal style to a new room.

(See also: Fun & Unique Staycation Experiences in Singapore)

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to doing it yourself:

1. Prepare your space. Declutter the room and give your walls a quick wipe down to get rid of any dirt or dust. If you’re working with an older surface, inspect for cracks or gaps that should be filled with plastic filler.

2. Get your tools ready. Aside from paint brushes and rollers, some masking tape will help to ensure a clean and crisp job. Lay down some dustsheets on your floor and furniture to catch any drips.

3. Start painting. Tape around the surface that you are going to paint. With a small brush, paint a one inch border around the edges. Then fill in the rest with a roller.

TIP: Still worried about the mess? Oscar Wezenbeek, 55, Managing Director of Decorative Paints South East & South Asia, SESA at AkzoNobel, suggests opting for Dulux Wash & Wear paint. This premium interior paint is equipped with innovative Kidproof+ Technology™ which delivers stain repellent and anti-bacterial properties.

:: GIVEAWAY ::

We have 6 sets of the Dulux Far Away Places kit (worth $139.90 each) to give away!

  • City of Heroes x 2
  • Up in the Sky x 1
  • Under the Sea x 1
  • Into Space x 1
  • Treasure Island x 1

Please note that base paints are not provided inside the kits.

Here’s what you can do to win a set and start painting the home with your kids:

1. Like and Share this article on Facebook with the hashtag #PaintingTheHome (make sure your share is set to ‘public’)
2. Say which kit your kid would love and why.
3. Tag a friend who loves creativity as well!
4. Sit back and relax. We’ll be in touch if you’ve won.

Closing date: 12 noon, Monday, 18 March 2019

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4 Ways Painting the Home with your Kids will make this the best-ever March Holidays