What do all you experienced teachers feel about covering tables for messy crafts? Is there an easy way /material to use to cover the tables? Do you cover them for all activities or just the really messy ones? What do you find is the easiest type of material to cover them with? Thanks,
I just use bulletin board paper. It works most of the time. note to self: use 2 layers under liquid watercolor...
Old newspapers work best for me. Wad up & throw away when finished, no washing as with tablecloths & we're recycling. Bulletin board paper, unless you're recycling it, it is way too expensive to use for messes.
I've used bulletlin board paper. Then one spring several years ago, I took tagboard, cut it in half, glued a 12x18 piece of construction paper on it for color, and had the class decorate them with stickers. Then I laminated them. They turned out cute, have lasted a LONG time. We either put them on our desks, the floor or the table, and they wipe off so nice.
I use trash bags. You cut them right down the middle and cut the bottom part out. Much easier and economical.
Plastic shower curtains! Put some velcro on the ends and then put velcro under the table. They stay on snugly and wipe off easily.
We clean ours. In nice weather, it can be an outdoor activity- give the kids some soapy water and some sponges and get to it! Most of the time, I just come through with a sponge and clean the shower curtain. Then, I leave it on the table to dry while we do a different activity.
I like to choose the easy way. I don't cover if the mess will clean up with soap and water. Often I just put some shaving cream on the table and have fun and clean at the same time.
I usually do not cover them....I'm with blue if the mess cleans up easily with soap and water then that's what I do. We do get end rolls of paper from a local newspaper and there have been times that I have used it for really messy projects. I do like the idea of using the shaving cream to help with the clean up. Thanks!
well, I'm not a preschool teacher, but at home with my kids and neices I use Glad PRESS AND SEAL wrap on our chair seats and the table when we are doing a messy craft. It works wonderfully, and it stays put until you take it off, and throw it out, and it's CHEAP!!!
