Is your child obsessed with Bob the Builder and Wendy? While building work is off the cards until they’re bigger, there are little odd jobs they can help with if you’re doing a mini home make-over (and a toy tool belt will certainly help them look and feel the part).
Thankfully, because we’re allowed to have guests over again, they can proudly show off their handy work to their friends once they’re finished. Here are some DIY jobs that will benefit everybody if you're in the middle of a house makeover. As always, make sure the kids are safe and the tasks are appropriate for their age.
Caution: Wet Paint!
The quickest way to make a room feel fresh again is to give it a lick of paint. If you don’t have a colour in mind, get the whole family involved in picking out a shade and vote to see which is the favourite. After that, it’s a case of all-hands-on-deck, so make sure you have enough paintbrushes or rollers to go around.
White Picket Fence
If you’d prefer to keep little hands away from your walls you can always entrust them to help paint your fence instead. While a white picket fence probably won’t look clean for long, if you go for grey (which many of us do) it’ll survive all the knocks and scrapes it’s bound to get.
Stick Around
Once kids get older, they want to have more of a say about what goes on their walls, so wall stickers could be right up their street. The first step is to make sure the surface is clean and smooth. Next, they need to plan how they will position each of the stickers. Finally, smooth them onto the wall carefully ensuring they’re free from bubbles or creases – et voila they’ll have the room they’ve always dreamt of!
Art Attack
While most of us already display our kids’ artwork on the fridge, why not take it to the next level and use it to create a feature wall? Let them pick out their favourite pieces, find frames that will fit them perfectly (white will ensure their paintings stand out) and then arrange them in a floor to ceiling grid for all to see. If they’re at an age where it’s safe, they could also help put them up. Once you’re finished, just make sure your guests know they’re not for sale!
Photo Dump
If you get a taste for feature walls, your next family project could be choosing photos to display. Go through your pictures on your phone together, get them printed and then arrange and put them up as above.
Chalk It Up
Chalkboard paint is more popular than ever, and it’s easy to see why. It comes in a range of colours so your kids can pick their favourite and they can then help with applying it. Make sure the surface you choose (whether it’s in the kitchen, kid's room or playroom) is smooth, apply two coats and ensure it’s completely dry before you try it out. A handy tip is to completely cover it with chalk and then wipe it off with a towel before you let them unleash their talents.
