Find an activity
Back to ideas

Make · Wild and Tumble activity

Painty toes walk

Squelch, step, print! Walk through paint and make a footprint trail on a long sheet of paper.

  • 20 min total
  • Messy fun
  • Ages 2–5*
  • Outdoors
  • Warm days
Let's do this

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 5 min to set up · 10 min to paint · 5 min to wash feet. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A long roll of paper, weighed down with stones
  • A shallow tray of washable paint
  • A bowl of warm, soapy water and a towel at the end

Let's begin

Five simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Lay the paper out on the grass.

  2. Little one leads

    Your child steps into the paint tray, holding your hand.

  3. Walk slowly along the paper. Look at the footprints!

  4. Try tiptoeing, hopping or walking backwards.

  5. Step straight into the washing bowl at the end.

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

If you enjoyed this

More little ideas like this.

All activities