Use stencils to liven up a child's room or toys

Creative stenciling is a fun way to liven up a youngster's bedroom or toys. It makes old toys exciting again and encourages artistic development and an active imagination. Here's how to get started.

What better place to start than a toy box?

• Apply two coats of oil paint, then add a playful motif of your choosing. If it's multicoloured, allow each colour time to dry before applying the next.
• Vary the design by adding borders, reversing the shapes, or adding other stencils. Stencil the child's initials onto the lid of the box, or on a label. Small touches like this will make the toy box a family heirloom.

• If any of your stencil ties break, repair them on both sides with standard masking tape (when using oil paint), or with clear adhesive tape (when using acrylic).
• For long decorative painting jobs, make at least two identical stencils to let you work more efficiently and to guard against accidents. With two stencils on hand, you can continue working while one of them is drying after a cleaning.
• If you accidentally get contact adhesive on the wall, wait until it's thoroughly dry and then roll it off using clean fingertips or a clean, white, rubber eraser.
• To remove oil paint from your stencils, use mineral turpentine or methylated spirits on a clean rag. Place the stencil on an old bath towel to do this, rather than on paper.
• You can remove acrylic paint from your stencils by using either a blunt knife or methylated spirits.

Stenciling isn't just a great way to revitalize an old toy or a bland bedroom. It's also an opportunity to bond with your child and produce something beautiful. So go on: start making some new memories.