Pray and Paint: Mysteries of the Rosary

Laura Range reviews a Catholic version of the popular “Water Wows” that keeps artistic little hands busy while teaching them about the Rosary! 

While summers with little ones can be full of fun memories with sidewalk chalk, water sprinklers, drippy ice-cream cones, and sticky bubble chases, sometimes Mama also needs some activities that are lower on the mess scale. I’d like to introduce you to the Pray and Paint water reveal series by Ascension Kids (don’t worry! No paint needed!).

Mess-Free Faith Teaching

For years, we have been fans of the popular Melissa and Doug Water Wow activity books, which use special brushes to “paint” a colorful picture using only water. This year, Ascension Kids released a series of similar water paint books that feature the Mysteries of the Rosary. There are four nice sturdy board books that each contain a set of the Mysteries:  Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, and Glorious.

Not only do the books contain a picture on each page for your child to paint with the included water-filled brush, but they also have a short explanation of each Mystery, a prayer, and the spiritual fruit we can grow by practicing the virtues of that Mystery.

Reusable and Travel Friendly

While preschool and kindergarteners might enjoy these the most, each of my children ages 3-9 enjoyed them. The youngest of artists will simply enjoy the fun of painting with water. Older children will appreciate learning and praying on each page as well as the hidden objects to find as they paint. Once the pages dry, they return to black and white and are completely reusable!

These compact little books would make great travel companions for kids this summer in the car on the way to vacations, family gatherings, or sports events. They are also nice for morning activities or afternoon quiet resting time. Happy mess-free painting!

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Copyright 2026 Laura Range
Images: (top) Ascension Press; (center) copyright 2026 Laura Range, all rights reserved.