Hellobee Boards

I shouldn't even be commenting because I let my son have a full set of Sharpies that he uses unsupervised in his room, lol.
He will only use Color Wonder if the subject matter is interesting, otherwise, he doesn't like the "delay."

I was thinking stickers, my son is obsessed with them and will put stickers on pieces of paper for hours. You can get the foam kits all over now, tissue paper, masking tape, washi tape, etc.

Also, window clings? My son loves the Gel Gems and wil decorate windows.

maybe chalk on a chalkboard, or on black paper? that'd be easier to clean up, lol. and I second color wonder or stickers. I started trusting my 22mo with crayons a few months ago as well, I'm not exactly sure when but prob around 19 or 20 months I just started leaving them out (on a plastic table that I don't care if she draws on, but she's pretty good about staying on the paper...)

@nana87: yep, G has full access to crayons at all times, but the markers are another story. Now I just have to remember to keep my highlighters out of her way. She loooooooves highlighters.

@LovelyPlum: yesssss R has claimed a highlighter she found from my desk, and a couple pens. it's hard to have a home office actually be off limits!

another idea might be water colors--lo has used them in her high chair a couple times and I've been surprised how the mess has been contained! though, she keeps wanting to drink the water, lol....

@regberadaisy: Oh, you know what just came to my mind, felt! You can do those felt boards with the felt objects that you stick on.

@nana87: right. And now she can climb up in my chair and wants to "workin" all the time, i.e. bang on my keyboard. Guess I'll just put it all away, then! Dissertation, wha??

Oh, and G likes to put the paintbrush in her mouth, too. Whoops.

@regberadaisy: I think they make non-toxic soy-based crayons. Might be an idea?

We also have these. Could you try that?

@LovelyPlum: what's a dissertation again? my desk is in the same corner of our apt as her play kitchen, blocks, etc, and so I can never use it when she's home (it's a secretary style desk so folds up/can hide). dh's desk is in our bedroom so he at least can close the door, though she knows how to open our doors now anyway

Also, we keep markers up high and when they craft he gets buckled into his seat at the table.

Occasionally he will run away with a loose crayon or something but definitely no markers.

This weekend we also had some stamp things (the kind with the ink already in it) and he really liked those.

@regberadaisy: Have you tried playdough? DS spent a good hour moving it from the container and then back in the container. I also made animals and had him tell me what they said (snake, cat, etc). We then also worked on counting the circles.

@Cole: That Buddha Board is cool!

Foam stickers are great- you can get whole kits at the dollar store to make Easter eggs, animals, Flowers, etc- and it doesn't involve glue or anything.
We also use paint with water books because the paint doesn't really get anywhere.

Also, if you put a piece of cardstock in a plastic bag, then put some paint in the bag, your kids can finger paint with no mess!

Foam beads are great for making necklaces and things.

We do the finger painting inside zip loc bag too!