Your children don't need berets to paint like the great artists of Paris. What they do need is inspiration, and what better place to find it than outdoors?

This summer, set up a backyard art project. Bring out an easel or simply tape a large piece of drawing paper to a fence. Let the artists experiment with painting natural objects. They'll enjoy capturing the blue of a robin's egg, the green of summer trees, or puffy white clouds.

Try painting in the evening. Kids can take turns holding a flashlight if you don't have a strong porch light. How else could kids capture yellow fireflies against a blue-black night sky or the way the full moon glows?

If you're ready to take your painters on the road, consider setting up some work space at the beach. Although an easel is a plus, a large piece of cardboard will do just fine. Secure your paper to it with clothespins. Water colors are nice for capturing the subtle shades of sun, sand and surf. Try rendering the same scene in the early morning and the late afternoon.

Outdoor painting needn't be limited to natural objects, either. Kids can paint a construction site (pack lots of yellow for bulldozers) or children playing in the spray of a fire hydrant. Inspiration is wherever they find it.