If you are looking to add a few fresh ideas for your little ones this Easter, how about introducing them to sponge painting? All kids seem to love to paint. Here is a safe project even the smallest of tots can delve into.

While some use old sponges, I like to purchase new ones. After all, they will be totally clean and there’s no need to buy a ton or spend a lot as you will be cutting or tearing them into several pieces.

Cut the sponge info different shapes. Don’t worry about them being “perfect” as the odder the shape, the more unique the pattern.

You can also use a cookie cutter to press into a dried sponge and either trace the pattern onto the sponge with a magic marker and then cut, or use the cookie cutter as a replica to draw the shape "free-handily" (yes, as in utilizing your own artistic-eye to sum it up and draw it yourself).

Pour safe washable children’s art paint or even watercolors will do, in little bowls. Be sure the bowls are low to the surface and wide enough for the kids to dip the sponge pieces into and bring back out without spilling the paint during the process.

Next, go from the dipping procedure to a stack of waded up newspapers, paper towels or even old pieces of cloth, and let the kids press the sponge gently on it for the count of three while moving the sponge up and down. For those who use newspaper, I like to use the funnies. It does add a little color of its own, so if you don't want this, skip the newspaper.

This process is getting off any excess paint and does three things: it gets off any excess paint, prevents any extra dripping and allows the pattern to take on a sponge contour resulting in a somewhat splotchy effect. In this painting endeavor, you want it to be splotchy.

Gently dab the sponge shape onto half of a cooled hard-boiled egg. Let that dry and then let them do the other half. Of course, with kids up to age four, they may not have the patience to wait and do one-half at a time. If not, no big deal. They can come back to the same egg over and over creating different patterns and a rainbow of incredible colors.

Just have fun and be sure to take pictures for dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

If you are planning to create Easter pictures for special people, do the same thing with white poster board. Buy the heavier board, not paper, and sponge away. After it’s dried, cut the poster board into the size of card you want.

With a dark color of magic marker, write a Happy Easter message. Be sure to date the card on the back so the creation will become a part of your child’s collection of art treasure for that special person.

As the years pass by, it’s always neat to peek on the back of children's artwork and see when it was done. These are also perfect for framing. Putting them behind glass will preserve them for many years of enjoyment.

As with all activities, be prepared for a mess, so you might want to do this activity in the kitchen and have an extra pile of old cleaning rags available to clean up any spills.

Happy Easter!

© 2006 Jodie Lynn

About the Author: Jodie Lynn is an award-winning internationally syndicated family/health columnist and radio personality. Her syndicated column Parent to Parent (www.ParentToParent.com) has been successful for over 10 years and appears in newspapers, magazines, newsletters and throughout the Internet. She is a regular contributor to several sites including eDiets.com, KeepKidsHealthy.com, ClubMom.com, BabyUniverse.com and MommiesMagazine.com. Lynn has written three books and contributed to two others, one of which was on Oprah and has appeared on NBC in a three month parenting segment. Her latest book is - Syndication Secrets - What No One Will Tell You! Syndication Secrets. Her best-selling parenting/family paperback is Mommy-CEO: 5 Golden Rules