How to Paint a Room with a Toddler (and Actually Get Something Done)

I told y’all I would be back with another Fixer Upper Tip Series! Last time, we looked at Window Screen Repair. Today is all about painting rooms—but especially doing so with a rambunctious toddler in the house.

Here's our tried-and-true (well, mostly true) recipe for getting some painting done with a toddler in tow.

Man painting a toddler’s bedroom

People Needed:

• 1 Rambunctious Toddler

• 2 parents

• 1 sister to help paint (more people welcome!)

• 1 niece to help watch said toddler

The Setting:

• 3 rooms in need of painting

• 1 nice day to allow for open windows, eating outside, and giving Rambunctious Toddler a place to run around

Supplies Needed:

As much as possible, borrow these from your parents, especially if they've recently painted and have supplies lying around anyway.

• Paint. Lots of it.

• Drop cloths. Substitute old sheets, newspapers, or towels as needed.

• Painting clothes

• Paint brushes and rollers

• Roller pans

• Paint remover

• Rags for cleaning up spilled paint/wiping hands

• Painter's tape

• Screwdriver for removing screws from outlet and electrical plates

• A sturdy step stool for the people who are inevitably too short to reach the top of the wall

• Food

A side note on painting ceilings: If you're ever tempted to paint the ceiling—or you have to because it looks horrible—do not use one of those paint roller extenders where you fill a tube with paint and it's supposed to push the paint up onto the roller.

Gravity will prevail. This will be an exercise in futility.

Steps:

1. Make pancakes for everyone. You have to feed your crew! Pro tip: It actually helps if Rambunctious Toddler woke up super early and can take a car nap while you're making pancakes at about 8:30 AM. Because you know she's not going to sleep while Painting is going on and there are New People in the house!

2. Clean up enough so the kitchen is not overflowing and all food is put away.

3. Secure Rambunctious Toddler with Niece. Make sure Niece is comfortable and has everything she needs. If Rambunctious Toddler is potty training, make sure to take her at this point.

4. Change into painting clothes (if you're not wearing them already).

5. Move furniture away from the walls to be painted.

6. Remove outlet and electrical plates. Have some sort of container to put all the screws and plates in!

7. Tape window frames and along other walls that are not to be painted.

Window frame with painting tape around it

8. Lay down your drop cloths.

9. Begin painting! Big surfaces of walls get the roller; small spaces get a paintbrush. Move your step stool around the room as needed to reach the top of the wall. Keep Rambunctious Toddler safely away from the painting area, supplies, and wet paint.

If she happens to come in, saying, “What Mama doin’?” and you feel comfortable, you can give her a little supervised painting activity with child-safe, washable paint. Then make sure she goes safely back with Niece!

10. Take a break! This is a good time for lunch. Recommendation: Barbecue and eat outside if you can! Remember, the kitchen is overflowing from breakfast dishes and the whole inside smells like paint.

Taking a break is good for everyone and allows the paint to dry because you'll probably need a second coat.

11. Apply the second coat. Decide you will need a third, but don't have time for that now.

12. Clean up and put the furniture back once the paint is sufficiently dry. Keep the room ventilated and follow the paint manufacturer's instructions before allowing Rambunctious Toddler back into the space.

That's a wrap! Check back for the next Fixer Upper Tip Series!

Thanks for reading!

💜

Laura