Create special memories with your baby’s first art project.
This fun, heart-shaped art idea is perfect for Valentine’s day, but you can definitely do this project with your baby any time of the year.
What age baby can do this?
I recommend this for ages 4 months and up.
W is about 4 and a half months old here, and it was the perfect age for this activity. She has always loved tummy time and is now so interested in seeing and interacting with smaller, detailed things.
But of course, you know your baby better than I do, and every baby develops at their own pace.
If your baby:
- Enjoys tummy time
- Can hold their head up for a period of time, and support themselves with their arms
- Is interested in grabbing at and reaching for objects
Then they are probably ready for this activity.
Materials needed
- Canvas Panels (Not the type with a wooden frame)
- A full sheet of sticker or label paper
- paint
- X-acto knife
- Cutting mat
- Gesso or white paint (optional)
- Gallon Size freezer bag
Setting up Baby’s first art project
1: Start by using your knife and cutting mat to cut a heart-shaped hole in the center of your label paper. I drew the heart with a pencil first but you could also find and print a template online.
You can do any shape you would like, we did hearts for valentine’s day. You can also opt out of using label paper, if you want, and let your baby make an abstract masterpiece!
2: Stick the label paper to the canvas
Optional step 2.5: Paint a thin layer of gesso over the edges of the heart hole. Honestly, this step may not be necessary at all… I did this because I thought it would make the edges of the heart crisper in the end but I don’t know if it actually made a difference at all. If we do this again I will skip this step and let you know the results.
3: Put drops of acrylic paint on the visible canvas. Just drops! Don’t smudge or brush them at all.
4: Gently (so the paint doesn’t smear) put the canvas into the freezer bag and zip it closed.
5: Tape the edges of the bag to the floor so it can’t move around
Baby painting time!
Set your baby on their belly on a rug or play mat right up against where you taped the bag so they are facing right into it.
Give them a minute to take in these unfamiliar surroundings. You can point out the paint to them if it doesn’t catch their attention.
Now watch as your baby smudges the paint all around. Let them poke and feel at it, exploring in their own time.
Finishing the activity
Babies this age have very short attention spans, so this won’t last very long. It lasted longer with W than I expected, but she definitely got tired quickly. You will know when your baby is done when they either become bored with it or are tired from holding themselves up. If they get cranky, end the activity even if the painting isn’t “done”, you want this to be fun for them.
When your baby is done, take the tape up from the floor to free the bag. I have found that it is easier to cut down the sides of the bag and peel the layers apart rather than trying to take the canvas out of the bag. It keeps the artwork intact better that way and makes it less of a mess.
Now you will remove the label paper, revealing a beautifully painted heart! The sticky backing did stick a little where the paint was thicker, but I was able to clean it up pretty easily.
At this point, you can either add your own touches or let your baby’s first art project stay as is! I chose to outline the heart in a light grey and then put a matching grey border around the edges of the canvas.
Final thoughts
I LOVE the way this came out. I think it’s such a fun way to create a keepsake of her first painting activity. Especially knowing that there will be plenty more to come. It sets the first one apart. I will use it to decorate her room after we move. (Yes, we’re moving! Read my moving announcement HERE)
An option for older kids
This idea can also be done for older kids without the freezer bag. I set one up for J to do so she wasn’t left out! For her, I still did the label paper with a heart but I didn’t put it in a bag, and I didn’t put paint drops on it. I put paint with a brush on the table for her to paint normally with. After she was done painting I peeled the label up to reveal the heart.
She loved being involved (she also loved showing her sister how to squish at the bag), and her heart art came out just as good as the baby’s!
Share the art!
If you make your baby’s first art project, I would love to see it! You can tag me in your instagram post @thatmamachick or message me privately on social media or in an email. Show off your baby’s masterpiece!
