Quote Originally Posted by Inspired by Reggio View Post
When I am doing it INSIDE I always do a foot craft ONE AT A TIME .... so the others can either sit and watch or go play ... I also do the 'foot soak bath' beside where we are working cause I cannot lift children up to the sink it would kill my back!

I agree that footprint art inside is time consuming and I personally only do them as a GIFT for the parent ... aka on a canvas, tshirt, apron or something that is meant to be saved and cherished to make the time and effort worth while ... if it is something on a piece of paper that is just going to get 'thrown out' I would not bother with the 'foot print'

In the summer months we do 'footprint painting for fun' outside on large pieces of easel roll paper and they can hose their own feet off out there and put their sandals back on and so forth ... than there is very little work for me cause the 'mess' can get hosed away at the end of the day
Doh I didn't state that I did each child one at a time too....and I often break up the 'project' so that I do some kids one day and then some of the PTers on a different day. It is just awful regardless.
The kids love me carrying them to the sink like a princess and giggle and we make it fun but meanwhile my body is screaming "help!" lol

I have only done footprint projects about once a year and usually for gifts but I sure would love to do more when they have those cute butterfly ones you can do and some where you can make their feet into a lobster or a tractor for the boys....etc. There are so many ideas but I just don't think I have it in me.

Even carrying a Rubbermaid of water would be heavy and then they would likely splash and it would involve more cleanup.

THe kids love love love the days where I paint their feet but I feel bad we can't do it more often and try some of these other ideas.

Also.....I would definitely recommend that everyone paint using a big fat paintbrush to get paint onto the feet rather than stepping into a tray of paint. The steeping into paint tends to over-saturate the feet and then you get a blurry/messy foot versus painting a layer of paint on yourself.

I recommend a fat brush because a small one will lead to a lot of giggles and struggle for the child to stay still whereas a fat brush will mean about 2-3 passes and you are ready to print.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. i was hoping someone had a magical solution. I guess footprint art is better for a mom to do with her own child rather than a provider having to do it with 5 kids.