Finger-Painted Place Mats

What you need:

• finger paints 
• cardboard or oaktag (about 12" x 8") 
• clear contact paper 

What to do:

1. Encourage your baby to discover finger paints. Infants love mixing and exploring with their hands.
2. Your baby can paint on cardboard or pieces of oaktag. When her creation dries, cover it with contact paper to make a place mat — a perfect gift for grandparents.

Learning benefits:

• builds fine-motor skills 
• teaches color recognition 
• promotes tactile awareness