DONE anywhere else, it would be seen as the mindless vandalism any caring parent condemns outright.

But in the context of yesterday’s Wodonga Children’s Fair, splashing paint on everything in sight was encouraged in a bid to foster their independence.

And the children didn’t need to be asked twice.

Elbow-deep in paint, they splotched colour on to television sets, beds and chairs, turning sterile white surfaces into a rainbow room for the imagination.

They worked on furniture from the tip that had been spray-painted white to provide a blank canvas with a difference.

Artist and Kids Rule co-organiser Donna Pinder said the idea was to allow kids to do what they’re not allowed to at home, sparking their creativity.

“This is a place where the only rules are kids’ rules,” she said.

Ms Pinder said giving children such freedom helped their independence to make decisions and solve problems.

Hollie Doogood was a picture of delight as she ran out of a colourful cupboard, blue paint dripping from her hands.

She loved painting on furniture rather than on paper because “I get to hide in the cupboards and run around the side to paint”.

“I always mess the papers up when I paint on them,” she said.

To the horror of her dad, Matt, she said she would like to paint on the furniture at home.

After he made the “house rules” clear, she giggled and hid back in the cupboard.

“Allowing kids to paint like this is an awesome idea,” he said.

“It lets the kids have freedom — it is something they definitely can’t do at home.”

The theme of the fair was “What I want to be when I grow up” and children had the chance to learn about building, emergency services, art and science.