Kids Driving You Up the Walls? Let Them Draw on Them!

images courtesy of canva

Why vertical drawing might be the best post-holiday activity for your child’s development.

Ahhh, the school holidays. That magical mix of joy, chaos, snacks, and the phrase “Mum, I’m bored” on repeat. If your walls have been climbed, your patience tested, and your coffee gone cold for the seventh time today—you’re not alone. And if you’ve caught yourself muttering, “These kids are driving me up the walls!”—here’s a thought…

What if going up the walls is exactly what they need?

No, seriously. Before you panic about paint splatters and permanent markers, hear us out. Giving kids permission to draw on vertical surfaces (yes, even walls, when set up safely!) is not just fun, it’s fantastically beneficial for their development.

So before you reach for the remote or hand over the iPad again, grab some masking tape, a roll of butcher’s paper, and some crayons, and let’s dive into why drawing on walls is so much more than a rainy-day distraction.

Why Drawing on Vertical Surfaces is a Game-Changer:

1. It Builds Stronger, More Coordinated Bodies

When kids draw on a vertical surface, they naturally reach up, stretch across, and move in bigger ways than they would sitting at a table.

• Shoulder and arm strength increases with these larger movements.

• Core muscles engage to help them balance and reach.

• Posture gets a boost, goodbye slouchy spines

This kind of movement builds the foundation for handwriting, sports, and even everyday tasks like tying shoes or zipping jackets.

2. It Supports Pre-Writing and Fine Motor Skills

You want your child to have a good pencil grip and write neatly one day, right? Here’s how wall drawing helps get them there:

• Wrist extension - the angle needed for writing is naturally encouraged.

• Grasp patterns (like the tripod grip) develop with crayons or markers.

• Hand-eye coordination improves with every swipe, swirl, and scribble.

• Midline crossing (reaching across the body) is boosted - this is key for reading and writing success.

3. It Strengthens Visual and Spatial Skills

Drawing on a vertical plane builds skills like:

• Spatial awareness: understanding where things are in space (critical for puzzles, maths, and navigating their environment).

• Visual tracking: the ability to follow a line with their eyes, which is essential for reading.

These aren’t just arty perks - they’re learning essentials.

4. It Encourages Creativity (and Burns Energy!)

There’s something about a big, blank wall that screams possibility to a child. Whether they’re making a treasure map, sketching superheroes, or doodling dinosaurs:

• They’re using imagination and expressing emotion.

• They’re getting sensory input from the movement and texture.

• They’re off screens and moving their whole body with purpose.

Plus, when they feel in control of their own creation space, they’re more likely to be calm and regulated. Who knew a scribble session could help prevent a meltdown?

But What About My Actual Walls?

We’re not suggesting giving them a Sharpie and a blank cheque. Try these parent-friendly setups:

• Butcher’s paper taped to the wall

• Whiteboards or chalkboards

• Window markers on ranch-slider doors (wipes right off!)

• Washi tape frames to create designated drawing zones

• Or even chalkboard paint on a section of a wall or cupboard door

Let them know which walls are for masterpieces and which are not. Clear boundaries = confident, creative kids.

Real Benefits, Real Fun

This isn’t just a fun activity. It’s therapy, learning, and play all rolled into one. At Nurture Paediatrics, we use vertical play in our sessions to support development of gross motor control, fine motor skills, coordination, regulation, and confidence. So next time your child is bouncing off the walls, you’ll know exactly what to do—let them draw on them....(kind of). You might just find that the best way to survive the holidays, or the after-school fidgets, is to go up the walls with them.

Need More Ideas or Support?

If your child struggles with coordination, handwriting, or emotional regulation, we’re here to help. Our team of paediatric physios and OTs love turning everyday activities into meaningful moments of growth.

Visit us at Nurture Paediatrics, Tauranga, or reach out for a developmental assessment or creative home activity plan.