Did you know that:

• Dried-up markers make excellent painting tools when dipped in clay saucers of water?
• Water color makers make pretty cool paintings on the clay tiles of a patio.
• Chalk is another fun tool. Water, chalk, clay tiles. That’s it.
• Dirt. Always fun. Anyplace. Dig out the gardening tools and construction toys.
• Wood benches also make the perfect canvas for dried-up markers and water and chalk and water.
• River rocks, those flat, smooth sorts that are so awesome to hold and touch, make wonderful stacking blocks. Add them to clay saucers to experiment with how they change colors. And paint them with chalk and markers.
• Add some off-roading or construction vehicles for a different type of exploration.
• Turn the tiles over. Bumpy road! (My tiles have ridges on the back.)
• Cut fallen branches into logs for building. Birch trees are a personal favorite. My kiddos love peeling the paper off (extra fine motor practice) and I can use it for crafts. Or they can.
• All of the above? Leave as is and let the rain or sprinkler wash away the traces. Or spritz the clay tiles and benches with water and TA-DA, clean, fresh canvases for more fun!

So go ahead, enjoy those dried-up markers, clay tiles, rocks, branches, and benches. I love watching my grands explore, create, make a mess, and explore. Me? Not a care in the world since it all washes off.