Better Together
The end of summer, and it’s back to the grind! As we rush from school drop offs, to work meetings, planning menus, doctors appointments, social engagements, chauffeuring the kids to classes… It's hard to find a moment to pause. The whirlwind begins on Monday morning, ends on Sunday night and then starts all over again. The days slip into weeks and weeks into months, and before we realize it, another year has gone by.
Often, we forget to stop and take some time out for ourselves and our families. And when we do, our digital devices end up interrupting conversations and the ability to enjoy quality time together with our loved ones. Today’s technology-ridden world makes it easy for families to be present but not engaged. Does your family dedicate time every so often to spend together without the use of devices?
Studies have found that families who enjoy activities together share a stronger emotional bond as well as an ability to adapt well to different situations. What are the benefits, you might ask, of working together on a project as a family.
- It stimulates creativity and imagination
- It encourages communication
- It increases the capacity for concentration
- It encourages participation and teamwork
- It reduces stress and anxiety
- It encourages healthy ways of conflict management
And a few cans of Chalk Paint, paint brushes, pizza and some good music is a fun way of doing just this!
Does the wall in your study need a fresh coat of paint? Or maybe the picnic table could do with a fun makeover? Children love to help fix things and participate in what mom and dad are doing. To us, it may seem like a mundane task, but to most kids, it’s a wonderful chance to play with color and create something together. Even for the older children, painting their bed or study table a new color would mean some quality time spent together, away from their devices for a few hours.
The beauty of working with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is that since it’s a non-toxic, odorless and baby-safe paint; it is easy and safe for everyone to use, even the family pet! Stuck indoors on a rainy day with the kids getting restless or spending a lazy Sunday afternoon together? Grab those brushes and start on a small project that will keep everyone engaged and feeling good. Best thing - you can paint indoors with no fuss and no mess!
The next question you might have - what kind of projects can we work on together as a family that would be fun and enjoyable for everyone? Our customers have done all kinds of projects with their families - upcycled an old piano, painted walls, prettied up some old plant pots, stenciled floors, given their bunk beds a make-over… the list is endless!
Don’t throw out old and used furniture! An old chair, shoe rack or stool can be a great project for the family to work on together - give these pieces a well-deserved, new lease of life with Chalk Paint. If you don’t have anything around the house, perhaps check with family or friends if they have any unwanted furniture they’d like to give away, or browse Carousell where you are sure to find some good buys for less than $50.
Most children have a chair or step stool at home - this is a great first project to begin with. Kids love making stuff with their hands, and always feel emotionally connected and proud of pieces that they paint! Remember that you can use Chalk Paint on different kinds of surfaces including wood, plastic, laminate, fabric, metal, etc. so finding a small piece for a project is pretty easy.
Have fun with canvases! Yes, you can use AS chalk paint on a canvas, seal it with wax after and voilà - you have a meaningful piece of art which you created together as a family. Paint a simple tree with everyone’s handprints as leaves, or even the paws of the good ole family dog or cat. Remember to wipe off the paint from the paws if you don’t want a trail all over the house!
Host a DIY paint night with family and friends! All you need to do is gather a few things to paint - old coffee mugs, small flower pots, picture frames or ask friends to bring a small item they’d like to paint. Lay down some tarps, set up your paints and brushes and get the party started! We can guarantee it’ll be a fun-filled night of laughter, creativity and happy memories.
Join us for a family workshop at the Studio! We’ve hosted so many families for workshops and it has always been a joy for us to watch the reactions of the little ones and parents. The wide-eyed surprise of a stencil revealed, the giggles and laughter when something doesn’t go quite as planned and the smiles of satisfaction once the piece is completed. As they say, you can’t put a price on those moments!
These activities not only give you and the little ones a chance to pause, but also the satisfaction of making something beautiful with your own hands and being present in the moment. For our little ones, a finished project gives them a great sense of achievement and allows them to take pride in their work, building confidence and a sense of contentment. It is a great, safe and happy way to discover that it's okay to make mistakes and that getting things 'wrong' can lead you to a whole new idea!
Remember whatever the project may be, it doesn’t have to be time-consuming, complicated or costly. It can be as simple as collecting a bunch of leaves from around your neighborhood and doing some leaf printing with Chalk Paint on an old tray or in a scrapbook.
Balancing an entire family’s demands from school, sports, activities and careers leaves little down time, but if you do make a commitment to pause together - we’re always here to help with your next family bonding activity!