This Messy Life Hack is So Genius, Both Parents & Kids Will Love it!

By Sara | Staff Writer

Dec 15, 2019 @ 5:26 AM MST

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Life can get messy!

Especially when you have little ones at home. So, whether you’re a busy teacher, parent, grandparent, or find yourself hosting kid’s craft time, you’re going to love this easy messy craft hack!

So what is a “messy craft hack”, you ask? 🤔

Adding Glad Press’n Seal to your wardrobe! 🙌

I know… it sounds a little crazy! But have you ever had to deal with the hassle of putting an apron on kids, especially when they don’t want to wear one. And chances are if you did get it on them, they want to take it off within 5 minutes anyways and the contents of all your DIY craft ends up on their cute outfit.

Not anymore, my friends!

This hack is so simple!

All you do is pull the plastic Press’n Seal out of the roll and put it wherever you don’t want the mess to go! I even put it on the top half of my daughter’s pants so it would catch any drips of paint while she was sitting.

Here’s something to consider when you try it out:

When we first attempted this hack, I just stuck the Glad Press’n Seal right over the arms and thought I would get creative and cut the arms out to save on plastic. But seeing as though we were planning to paint, this wasn’t the most effective or easy way to put it on…

Instead, just wrap it all the way around their arms so it will catch the mess on all sides.

And, if things are getting really messy, consider also wrapping the Press’n Seal all the way around their belly so when their arms are down by their side, the sides of their shirt are still protected.

My daughter had so much fun doing her craft and the Glad Press’n Seal didn’t get in her way at all while painting.

Best of all, it actually protected her clothes and when it was time to take it off, she had so much fun helping peel the mess away. The Press’n Seal protective layer stayed secure during craft time, but came off super easy when we needed it to! 😉

Don’t have any Press’n Seal at home?

Here’s where you can score some:

- Walmart – $4.62 ($0.03 sq. ft.)
- Target – $4 ($0.04 sq. ft.)
- Amazon – $9.15 (2 pack – $0.03 sq. ft.)
- Sam’s Club – $7.98 (2 pack – $0.03 sq. ft.)

Try one of these cute holiday crafts with your kids:

- Christmas Tree Slime

- Gingerbread Playdough

About the writer:

Sara is a self-taught blogger & photographer and brings 9+ years of experience to her craft. Her work has been featured in numerous esteemed publications, spanning building, travel, and fashion. Beyond her creative pursuits, Sara’s primary mission is to empower others to embrace a toxic-free & sustainable lifestyle.

Join The Discussion

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pokz December 15, 2019 at 5:29 am MST

Theyre kids..let them be kids…be messy…😝

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Alli December 15, 2019 at 7:37 am MST

They are! It just saves us parents a whole lot of extra work and money.

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tctbtob December 15, 2019 at 11:41 am MST

I gave my kids one of my or hubby’s T-shirt’s to wear over their clothes. If it washed the ur great & if not no biggie as they’d wear them again anyways. Easy peasy & way cheaper than Press n seal rolls.

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Kathleen December 15, 2019 at 12:10 pm MST

Exactly 🙂

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Jennine December 15, 2019 at 11:52 am MST

it’s a great every now and then idea! overall, wasteful if it’s a go to! Haha I didn’t think of it till now, but I mean might as well stock pile 50c clothes from garage sales and never do laundry again 😃

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Lynne December 15, 2019 at 5:41 am MST

I use this on high chair straps because they are so hard to clean. Works great.

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Lori December 15, 2019 at 5:59 am MST

Such a smart idea!

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kris t December 15, 2019 at 8:33 am MST

Thank you for the tip! I never thought of the straps

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Naayomee December 15, 2019 at 12:26 pm MST

I might put this on my seatbelts too!😂

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vanise December 15, 2019 at 5:52 am MST

I love the convenience, but they are not recyclable.I am disappointed that big onlinepany like “Glad” is creating such product for profit and not concerning the environment waste issue..they could have do better.

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Jennaayyv December 15, 2019 at 9:08 am MST

Agree!!!

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Staci December 15, 2019 at 9:30 am MST

Agree. While I’m sure this is convenient, it seems pretty wasteful. A box wouldn’t go too far. I just keep an old oversize tshirt that I don’t care if it gets paint on it. Costs nothing and reuses something rather than creating more waste.

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Kathleen December 15, 2019 at 12:11 pm MST

100%

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tipaye December 15, 2019 at 11:13 am MST

I agree…

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cbakerd3 December 15, 2019 at 5:57 am MST

This seems silly and wasteful. Just use washable paint and change their shirt instead of literally making a shirt out of press and seal.

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Jenifer December 15, 2019 at 6:07 am MST

When we were kids we wore my dad’s old shirts. I did the same for my son when he was young. We literally had painting shirts. 🤷

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sandy December 15, 2019 at 6:07 am MST

love this idea! but how do i hide a roll of this when going out?

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Rae December 15, 2019 at 6:08 am MST

My daughter has a paint shirt. It is just one of my old button down shirts but you could use any shirt even the dollar store has them for $1. It’s easier and covers more than an apron, is reusable, can be worn over another shirt or alone. My daughter really treasures her paint shirt, and is so excited when I bring it out.

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Kat9919 December 15, 2019 at 6:22 am MST

I’ve been using this on my one yr old. She refuses to wear a bib but still gets messy Everytime we eat! This has saved her clothes! Also, we use this in the car under the car seats to protect the seats. Cheap and easy to change out!

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Meghan December 15, 2019 at 6:29 am MST

We implemented a “spaghetti shirt” for my daughter because I was sick of scrubbing her clothes after dinner. We just took one of her old brother’s plain hoodies that he grew out of and we leave it on hook near kitchen. She puts it on before dinner each night. I am 33 and still end up with food all over me so I know where she gets it from 😂😂

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HEATHER December 15, 2019 at 6:30 am MST

How about an apron with sleeves? It’s reuseable. https://www.amazon.online/Bassion-Children-Waterproof-Painting-Pockets/dp/B06X6H6H29/ref=zg_bs_166058011_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=0WQATR5SV4CSH5D9BKV6

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Erin December 15, 2019 at 6:52 am MST

So cling wrapping a child is easier than . . . every other method? 😂 Not seeing it, but kudos for creativity! We had art smocks that velcro in the back, slip on, slip off. If my kids were being difficult and wouldn’t cooperate, they simply didn’t do the messy craft at that time. If they aren’t cooperating before the craft, they likely wouldn’t cooperate while doing the craft!

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tipaye December 15, 2019 at 11:20 am MST

Yasss!!! Another parent here who doesn’t let uncooperative kids call the shots, nice to meet you!

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tctbtob December 15, 2019 at 11:43 am MST

That’s my kind of parenting & the lesson goes beyond that moment. Keep up the good & hard work!

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Aunt Jenny December 15, 2019 at 7:09 am MST

My nurse reonlinemended Press N Seal to cover my incision so I could shower after back surgery. It worked great because it stuck to my skin and came off easily.

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Marie December 15, 2019 at 7:19 am MST

Now this seems like a much better life hack. Actually useful and necessary 👏👏👏

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Kaysha December 15, 2019 at 11:01 am MST

I get the convenience, but a 15 meal or art project results in more plastic being in a landfill forever. I’m sure most people don’t even think of it that way, but it’d be nice if culturally we could start thinking about the environmental tradeoffs.

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Kaysha December 15, 2019 at 11:03 am MST

Sorry, that was supposed to go under the main thread, not the use for incision. That’s a totally different use!

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Christine December 15, 2019 at 7:11 am MST

Great idea! Use whatever works for you and yours!

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nita December 15, 2019 at 7:25 am MST

How about an old t shirt? That’s what I pull out for messy crafts 🤷🏻‍♀️

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jen s. December 15, 2019 at 8:04 am MST

Right! And so much better for the environment! H2S – we aren’t allowed to use plastic bags without being taxed (in CT), so please don’t push ideas for wasting plastic!

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Adaysleeper December 15, 2019 at 8:33 am MST

I’m in CT and kind of love that we did this. Cashiers used to automatically put e everything in a bag, even if it was just a few carryable items. I’d say no bag and they’d say are you sure? Lol.
It’s funny though, I’m still getting asked if I wanted to purchase bag. I went to Kohl’s the other day and I bought a pair of shoes. Cashier asked me if I was sure I didn’t want to buy a bad. Yes, I’m sure. They’re already in a box!

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Adaysleeper December 15, 2019 at 8:34 am MST

Ugh forgive typos please. I should know by now to proofread when I talk to text

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Lo December 15, 2019 at 11:16 am MST

Lol I was at a Santa Fe Kohl’s with a lot of clothes but refused to buy a bag cuz I’m cheap 🤣. I was like nah I can just carry this out.

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Dani O December 15, 2019 at 5:56 pm MST

Ironically enough I was just telling my Target cashier last night I call this “budget control”. If I can’t tote it all out without having to buy a bag, I DON’T NEED IT!

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nikis22 December 15, 2019 at 8:08 am MST

Great hack! Thanks Hip2save!

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Shirley December 15, 2019 at 8:09 am MST

Sorry, this seems a waste of money on something that you cannot reuse. I have seen apron that covers the arms for less than $10.

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Stacy December 15, 2019 at 8:10 am MST

This seems like a very expensive life hack. Press and Seal isn’t cheap by any means. An apron is reusable and earth friendly. If you don’t have an apron definitely a wonderful alternative though.

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Amy December 15, 2019 at 8:21 am MST

I work in an Orthopedic office & I reonlinemend this to patients who have a cast. It won’t keep it waterproof for the shower, but can help if they plan to be out doing something that might otherwise get the cast dirty.

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Jenna December 15, 2019 at 8:43 am MST

Like anything, onlinepromise is great. If people can get a apron, or use an old “painting shirt” (men’s dresshirts at goodwill are like $3) for around the house, that is obviously a more sustainable option. But it’s nice to have a backup plan, or an idea in a pinch.

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V December 15, 2019 at 9:08 am MST

It’s just like when I roll bubble wrap around my child before he goes outside. Just kidding. He’s 13, so he won’t let me do it anymore. Again, just kidding.

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Em C December 15, 2019 at 10:17 am MST

😂

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sara December 15, 2019 at 9:17 am MST

We love Bumkin bibs. They onlinee in long and short sleeve. They have a pocket to help catch falling food. They are waterproof and can be rinsed in the sink and laundered but still thin, malleable, and small to travel with. We’ve have several going on 4 years now.

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Lora December 15, 2019 at 10:01 am MST

For all those saying how wasteful this is, reusable shirts/smocks/aprons still have to be washed which wastes natural resources (water) and pollutes the environment (detergent). Do whatever you want but please get off the high horse first.

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Rae December 15, 2019 at 10:47 am MST

I don’t think anyone is on a high horse. This just seems silly to most people not just for eco reasons but every time a kid does a craft you have to add like $4 to the cost for the cling wrap if they are crafting every day that’s expensive, almost better financially to throw out that dollar store shirt. It is a creative idea for a sponsored post that lead to people sharing other creative ideas. I really like the ideas for using it medically, and for high chair strap covers though.

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Kathleen December 15, 2019 at 12:10 pm MST

🙁

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Jess December 15, 2019 at 12:27 pm MST

Lora, why do paint shirts/aprons have to be washed? Just keep reusing it, the extra paint just adds to the character of the paint shirt.

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Rae December 15, 2019 at 1:13 pm MST

Jess is totally right. Why wash a paint shirt?

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peretz12 December 16, 2019 at 10:34 am MST

Yeah I’m not sure why a paint shirt would need to be washed. The whole idea of it is to prevent needing to wash their regular clothes. 🤷🏼‍♀️

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Go Zags December 17, 2019 at 4:50 pm MST

I agree with you Lora. Seems to me people getting on their high horses and I for one am sick and tired about it.

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Janina December 15, 2019 at 11:06 am MST

Ikea sells a craft Apron for a great price! My son has one and it is REUSABLE. I highly reonlinemend that one.. instead of a disposable kind.. I appreciate the cool life hack but does add cost and not the best for our environment ..

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saver December 15, 2019 at 11:26 am MST

I second the ikea craft aprons, you can get a 2 pack for so cheap. Reusable and work perfectly. I would never waste press & seal like this.

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Crystal December 15, 2019 at 11:59 am MST

It makes me so happy to see so many other concerned about the environment. ❤️ I was onlineing here to say everything others have mentioned!

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Kathleen December 15, 2019 at 12:09 pm MST

Don’t parents have a set of ‘play’ clothes for their kids anymore? Clothes they can go outside and get dirty or paint/craft in?

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Two Sense December 15, 2019 at 7:15 pm MST

Kids don’t go out and play, or craft much..they watch screens for most of their day. People can’t even go out to dinner and talk to their kids because they are on screens at the dinner table …that’s a different topic though!

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Mrsyancy December 15, 2019 at 1:45 pm MST

Omg people if you don’t like it don’t do it……good grief🙄

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Cassie Sue December 23, 2019 at 6:34 pm MST

This is a great idea for when my friend brings his little one over. She can play with the “big kids” if they are coloring but doesn’t end up covered in markers and other stuff. I don’t have any aprons (my kids are old enough to stay clean) but I can press and seal her shirt to keep her from being a mess. Thanks!!

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Marie January 3, 2020 at 11:42 am MST

On your refrigerator shelves 😁

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Betty Boo January 11, 2020 at 10:09 am MST

Thanks Sara for all of your excellent tips. I am a 77 year old grandma raising 3 grandchildren and I appreciate all the help you’ve provided to me.

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Tracy January 27, 2020 at 12:08 pm MST

My mom was a nursery school teacher. She had everyone bring a man’s old button up shirt to be used as aprons. She would put them on the kids backwards and button up the back. Roll up and button up the sleeves if needed. They seemed to work great for the kids and protected their clothes.

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