If you have a toddler who wants to paint, but you’re either some place where paint isn’t available or would be too messy, here is the perfect trick: paper towels + marker + water.

I drew a picture for Veronika on a paper towel using thick lines of black marker. The image featured a truck, since right now she’s obsessed with all things that Go!

I showed her how to dip a paintbrush in water, swipe it along the black line, and “paint” the picture.

The water will make the marker color spread on the paper towel. It’s particularly neat because the black separates out into a spectrum, leaving blue and purple hues behind too. So your toddler might really think he or she is adding color!

Veronika loved the way this looked, painting along the truck, the road, the sun, and more.

So in sum, this “painting” activity is simple but fun, with a cute resulting work of art.