Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
MESSY MATS! They are a table saver! And the best material for a messy mat is tag board. I prefer the 18” x 24” kind but it does come in a variety of sizes. If you buy a box of 100, you won’t need to buy em again for several years. The messiness just gives em even more character year after year.
MESST MAT TIPS:
❤️ Always have backup! If students are painting, messy mats might be wet which could be a disaster for the next group of artists. So have extra on hand to swap out if they are wet.
❤️ Laminate them! Then, if students are painting, they can be easily cleaned with a wet wipe!
❤️ Have a set for different art supplies. We had a “drawing messy mat” that was just for our dry supplies and “painting messy mats” for…painting! This meant that there were no weird dried paint lumps or glue bumps if students were trying to draw.
❤️ Create Edu-Messy Mats! I laminated the elements of art to my messy mats for students to learn from as they created.
Got messy mats questions? Drop them below!
For thr full list of what i order each year for my art eoom, go here:
cassiestephens.blogspot.com/2026/07/art-supply-order-must-haves-for-new-art.html?m=1
MESSY MATS! They are a table saver! And the best material for a messy mat is tag board. I prefer the 18” x 24” kind but it does come in a variety of sizes. If you buy a box of 100, you won’t need to buy em again for several years. The messiness just gives em even more character year after year.
MESST MAT TIPS:
❤️ Always have backup! If students are painting, messy mats might be wet which could be a disaster for the next group of artists. So have extra on hand to swap out if they are wet.
❤️ Laminate them! Then, if students are painting, they can be easily cleaned with a wet wipe!
❤️ Have a set for different art supplies. We had a “drawing messy mat” that was just for our dry supplies and “painting messy mats” for…painting! This meant that there were no weird dried paint lumps or glue bumps if students were trying to draw.
❤️ Create Edu-Messy Mats! I laminated the elements of art to my messy mats for students to learn from as they created.
Got messy mats questions? Drop them below!
For thr full list of what i order each year for my art eoom, go here:
cassiestephens.blogspot.com/2026/07/art-supply-order-must-haves-for-new-art.html?m=1
