Easy Tape Resist Painting for Toddlers

Painter's tape or masking tape

Cardstock or thick paper (thin paper buckles under wet paint)

Washable paint in 2-3 colors

Paper plates for paint

Wide paintbrush

Smock or old shirt

Stick strips of painter's tape across a piece of cardstock in lines, stripes, zigzags, or shapes. Make the design as simple or complex as you like.

Press the tape edges down firmly with your fingernail so paint will not seep underneath.

Set the paper on the table and put a smock on your toddler.

Pour washable paint onto plates and hand your toddler a wide brush. Wide brushes cover more area and are easier to grip.

Encourage your toddler to paint over the entire surface — tape and all. The goal is total coverage.

Once the paint is dry to the touch, help your toddler slowly peel off the tape strips. This is the magic moment.

The clean white lines appear underneath the paint. Your toddler just made abstract art with a crisp, professional finish.

Use painter's tape, not regular masking tape. It peels off cleanly without tearing the paper.

The reveal is the best part. Build it up — "What do you think is under the tape? Let us find out!"

For older toddlers, let them help place the tape before painting. They will not make straight lines and that is perfect.

This technique works beautifully for holiday cards. Tape a heart, tree, or star shape, paint over it, and peel for a custom card.

Let your toddler choose which colors to use. Even small choices like this build autonomy and confidence.