A DIY Coloring Wall for Hours of Entertainment

Can we just take a moment and talk about this DIY coloring wall with hanging paper roll and magnetic chalkboard? It’s been SO fun to use! I have a house full of little artists, especially my youngest, and this is a great way to celebrate her milestones and independence – giving her a place to really explore her creative side, while not having to be too far away, or in another room, while I’m working in the kitchen.

It all comes with motherhood, a part of our inauguration if you will; the feelings of elation as our little ones grow and spread their wings. The joy in all the firsts… first smile, first words, first roll, first steps, first day of school, and more. But there also comes with it this feeling of loss. Lost days because as they grow, we begin missing the days gone past. Though there is always another “first” on the horizon, we can never relive each first. 

All of that to say, my littlest, my baby… Well, she isn’t so “baby” anymore. She’s walking, she’s talking – oh goodness is she talking! And something else she’s doing lately? LOVING books and coloring!

These are things I want to foster in her, the love of books and learning.

If we succeed in giving the love of learning, the learning itself is sure to follow.

John Lubbo

And as much as we want our babies to grow, and explore and do, there’s this selfish little part that doesn’t want the changing – the growing into someone bigger, smarter, stronger, different. I know that it sounds crazy, and that’s why I say it’s just a little, selfish part, because as a mama that part of you just wants to hold them forever.

Through it all, in each moment and each stage, we want to nourish and nurture them into their best self. As they grow, because of course, it happens – we want to give them the best start that we can. 

To nurture that love for learning, this DIY coloring wall has really come in to play! She had already loved coloring or drawing on the magnetic chalkboard that we made, but this wall mounted paper roll just took it another step further. 

For a small child there is no division between playing and learning; between the things he or she does ‘just for fun’ and things that are ‘educational.’ The child learns while living and any part of living that is enjoyable is also play.

Penelope Leach

A few learning games we like to play on our new DIY coloring wall:

• Color matching. I’ll use a color and say the name, or will call out the color she’s using, and usually she’ll repeat it.
• Tracing objects. A favorite of hers is tracing hands. 
• Shape recognition. She’s still a little young at one, but I’ll draw shapes and we’ll point to each one to name it.
• Cause and effect. Using washing tape, I’ll add objects, like small paper rolls, to the paper and we’ll place items inside seeing if they stay in the little nook or fall out.
• I’ll draw small shapes and we’ll count them together.
• Free play. Of course, Aria loves to go crazy with coloring… and that’s a great thing!

Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play, children learn how to learn.

O. Fred Donaldson

The handwriting on the wall means the grandchildren found the crayons.

Author Unknown

A DIY Coloring Wall for Hours of Entertainment

Ready to have your own DIY hanging paper roll on your wall? I’ve seen a few different hangers for paper rolls, and they’ve all been considerable amounts of money. We’ve had this tabletop paper holder for quite some time now and I just knew that there was a way to use it. And really?  The process was so simple! Converting a tabletop paper holder into a wall hanging paper holder doesn’t take much work, and it’s such a more economical way to do it.

We measured the height we wanted and pre-drilled holes through the wood of holder and into the wall, using a level to make sure it was straight. After we placed anchors into those holes in the wall, we used screws to hang it… simple as that!

For the lower bar, we attached in the same way, but added plastic 1/4” spacers (nuts) to allow the paper to fall easily behind the bar. If you don’t have a metal bar, you can also use a couple of clips to add weight to the bottom and hold the paper down. I just like to be able to pull up and rip off the paper as we use it, but either way works and looks great!