Store welcomes young painters

Little Rembrandts, get out your brushes. Tiny would-be Picassos, choose a color palette.

This summer, children can express their creative side at Real Wood Furniture, 7351 W. Lake Mead Blvd. The store has set up an spatter-friendly area where children can paint little furniture pieces while Mom or Dad shop the store.

The youngsters get a choice of a wooden step stool, child-size chair or miniature table. They decide what color water-based paint they want and then are handed sponge brushes. After that, their creative sides take over.

Some children use one color, others get a little bolder. Owner/operator Abder Goulhiane said the most creative child he's seen to date was a boy who opted to paint a chair.

"He made each spindle a different color and then put his name on the back of the backrest," Goulhiane said. "It came out great."

Painting furniture takes up space. About four children can be accommodated at any one time for the drop-in activity. Sometimes parents join the fun.

Pat Reinbold was next door at Chuck E. Cheese with her granddaughter when they heard about the activity. She brought Paige, who painted a step stool blue, or at least most of it.

"The attention span of a 3-year-old is not too long," Reinbold said. "So grandma had to help a little."

The step stool seems to be most popular item with children. There is no charge for children who would like to paint one of the basic three selections. But there are other items available in child sizes which can be purchased for youngsters to paint.

Goulhiane said he plans to offer the activity through August.


<<--[back]