75 photos that perfectly capture what happens when you leave kids alone for 2 seconds

Kids naturally have curious and creative minds. It’s how they develop. They need to explore the principles of cause and effect. They need to know the answer to why this and why that.

Sometimes all that constant chatter and exploration can be exhausting to parents. So when there is some blessed silence, they’re thrilled. Until the realize silence is rarely a good thing—at least in terms of young children.

If you don’t have kids—or even if you haven’t spent a lot of time with kids—you might wonder why their silence can be terrifying. Because unless you have a camera on them and know with 100% certainty that the little darlings are fast asleep, silence is often the harbinger of some sort of disaster in your home.

Silence means they are deeply engrossed in something. Something that will take time to clean up, dismantle, or erase.

1. Kids and dogs

Black and white can be classy and distinctive. However, some think black and white is just boring. I guess these kids are in the second group.

2. This would be awesome

Am I the only one who would really love to do this? It can just be a kid thing, right?

3. OMG

First, has no one taught this child the value of money? Second, what are they planning to do with all the cutouts? Third, are they still alive?

4. Was the cat sedated?

Eyebrows, check. Moustache, check. Goatee, check. And they are all fairly neat too. The cat had to be unconscious for this.

5. That hand!

Can’t you just hear him? “Now mom, relax. There is a perfectly good explanation for this, but you need to take a deep breath.”

6. But why?

Now I sound like a 4 year old. But seriously, why would they do this? I guess they saw one pulled off for legit reasons and thought it would be fun.

7. Sweet dreams

Someone has a sweet tooth. And it looks like they’ve crashed after the sugar rush of eating a jar of jam. And they’ve been caught red handed too!

8. Poor thing

If this dog ends up claustrophobic, there will be a good reason why. I’m surprised it isn’t running around in mad circles trying to get that sock off.

9. Her face!

Someone knows they are in deep doodoo. The thing is, this is partly the parents fault. Don’t leave temptation in their way for too long.

10. I’m torn

This is equally sweet and horrifying. And it looks like she was caught on the third “I like.” She probably thought her parents would be so thrilled.

11. Mini Jacuzzi?

I remember having to share the bath with my little brother when we were both toddlers. I should have thought to plunk him in the toilet instead.

12. Thematic

This actually works from an artistic point of view. But the whole tea party, bonnet, and parasol is a little to English garden for me.

13. Sibling love

I would die for my siblings, but I also withhold the right to abuse them at my whim. And it all starts with antics like this.

14. Connect the dots

This is the danger of beanbags. Those little balls of static will stick to everything and take forever to clean up. But at least they don’t stain.

15. You have a speck of mud

She looks like the creature from the Black Lagoon. When they’re this bad, you don’t bring them in. You hose them down outside.

16. Expressing herself

When your child decides to express themselves somewhere in your home, just be glad it isn’t destructive. Cleaning this up won’t traumatize you.

17. Is she an Ewok?

Am I the only one who thinks she looks exactly like an Ewok? Is she a budding Star Wars fan? Either way, she looks hysterical.

18. A bit extreme

When I don’t like what’s on TV, I typically change the channel or just turn it off. What compels a child to paint it over with diaper rash cream?

19. Not what they meant

Maybe her parents said they thought she would be a gifted digital painter one day. Or maybe they can’t afford Photoshop or Painter.

20. He did it!

I’m telling you it wasn’t me! It was the dog! The look on both of their faces is priceless.

21. Hmm…

I don’t know. I feel that with the attention to detail, this might have been done by an adult. Or at least a much older child. But it’s awesome!

22. Not so smart?

Well, apparently this toddler has her own stash of lollipops. Let’s forget about the insanity of that. Instead of sleeping, she was going through her stash. When she got caught, she immediately feigned sleep. Because all kids think adults are dumb.

23. Could be worse

Siblings love to use each other for this kind of thing. The one saving grace here is that most of the marker seems to be on the tape. Which is going to hurt when pulled off, however.

24. Oh my

I worry about all these pics of markers all over babies. Is that stuff safe? I imagine there is some level of toxicity.

25. Slippery

Reminds me of those greased pigs I’ve seen on TV. You might catch that kid, but holding on to him when you do is going to be problematic. But he will have soft skin when he’s all cleaned up!

26. The perfect canvas

As a writer, there are times I just need to write something down that I just thought of. Maybe this is the equivalent for artists. And it looks like he’s drawing the dog’s ribs. 😊

27. Well, what did you think would happen?

Sometimes—maybe often times—I think parents are their own worst enemies. If they didn’t create opportunities for their kids to get into things, it wouldn’t happen. If you never clean out the fireplace and leave a ton of ash, who is at fault?

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ShitMyKidsRuined

28. Let’s hope its latex

This is potentially catastrophic. If that’s latex paint, cleanup will be hard but doable. If not? I think I see new floors in someone’s future.

29. Pooped himself out

I bet a lot of people who have been ambivalent about having kids are suddenly 100% sure they will never have them. Because this? I’m traumatized just looking at it. Imagine cleaning it up!

30. The looks on their faces

Ah, mom seems to be freaking out. What’s up with that? I, personally, don’t get this randomly drawing on the face thing. If they had a mirror and were watching what they were doing would make more sense to me.

31. A new way to cosplay

At least when you cosplay the normal way, you get to just take your costume off at the end of the day. You don’t have to scrub your Incredible Hulk costume off your skin.

32. I feel sick

You know how they say the body will crave what it needs? The fact is, we must have some fat in our diets. It’s scientifically necessary. Is this a cry for help? Or just a kid that likes butter way too much?

33. I didn’t do nuthin’

That face! He’s knows there is no way he can talk himself out of this one. Mom thought he was quietly watching his movie with his sippy cup, but oopsie. She left the baby power there. With that kind of temptation, what is a kid supposed to do?

34. Smash cake?

I thought smash cakes were typically small. Because this looks like a whole lot of icing. And hopefully the food coloring will wash out!

35. That’s going to cost you!

Personally, I wouldn’t let my kids play in the garage. There are all kids of dangerous stuff stored there. In this case, a pair of 2 year-olds discovered some improperly sealed paint cans. And gave dad’s BMW a new paint job.

36. I can hear it now

But mom, I’ve been right here all along. See, I’m inside my crib. My sibling, however, (who was smart enough to disappear) is the one that did all this. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

37. Could be either

Is that ink or is it shoe polish? Given the rack of shoes, I’m thinking the latter. Either way, getting that off is going to be a nightmare. And if it’s shoe polish, I hope they took him to a doctor.

38. Cleanup in isle 4!

If they have a dog, cleanup could be a cinch. And I would also like to point out this could be a whole lot worse. At least this doesn’t make you want to vomit.

39. Shaving cream, be nice and clean

The chances of dad being able to shave his face or mom being able to shave her legs before a trip to the store are minimal. And I really hope this is mom’s delicate skin type of cream.

40. Playing Holi

Well, I needed to do some research to see what Holi was. It’s a Hindu festival celebrated mostly in India. It’s also known as the festival of colors. I’d say she nailed it!

41. This could be embarrassing

I hope they really like their artwork. This is food coloring and the stain will last several days at least. Daycare and school should be fun.

42. Such focus

You know what? Given the food dish in the background, there is clearly a pet in the house. I would be much happier to find piles of whipping cream instead of piles of something else. Sometimes you just need to look of the positive.

43. I wonder

Is mom taking a picture of this because she thinks this is the coolest thing she’s ever seen? Or because she wants proof that we did it?

44. We’re good, mom!

Chances of a diaper rash appearing at any point in the near future are minimal. And I used enough to clear up what may have been about to start.

45. That was exhausting!

The power and the energy it took to create this blue masterpiece was incredible. So much so, that I just dropped when I was done.

46. Does it taste that good?

Okay, she has a jar of Sudocrem. Which is diaper rash cream. I get that she might think this is whip cream or marshmallow stuff, but wouldn’t the taste give it away? Kids are weird.

47. Where did she go?

I wonder if she is the only one in there. Because you could hide a whole family in those bubbles. She’s quite happy, though.

48. The summit

There is a sense of accomplishment after a difficult climb. Once you’ve conquered the mountain be sure to take some time to sit at the summit.

49. What is this?

I’m fairly sure I never painted or drew on myself as kid. And I know for sure I never caused this kind of destruction. Because I’m still alive. Is this a 21st century thing?

50. Girl power

Did she hate her cake? Hate the color pink that she now is? Is she about to fall into a sugar coma? All I can think is this is not a happy looking child.

51. Easily reversed

In the grand scheme of things—and in comparison to some of the other horror we have seen here—this is easy to deal with. There might be a few tangles and a few owwies from pulled hair, but that’s it.

52. I love this

Not because of the paint mess that needs to be cleaned up. Because they are freely admitting they are in this together. No pointing at the other saying, “she did it.”

53. Budding talent

I cannot draw at all. So I’m easily impressed by those that can, especially kids that can. But I would suggest a dry erase board instead of the wall.

54. I can see it

I can totally see him grown up and covered in ink. As in tattoo ink. He will wear it as unapologetically as he wears this.

55. I have a question

If I had have done anything like this as a child I would not be grinning up at a camera. I’d already be crying and saying I’m sorry, even though my parents were very easygoing. Because I would have known that was a very bad thing to do. How about any of you?

56. No question as to dominance

While that cat looks fairly calm, I bet there will be an issue when it finally gets free. And is it just me, or is part of a paw or tail caught? Ouch.

57. That looks like an infestation

In light of that, I’m glad it’s dog food. Apparently mommies little helpers decided to feed the dog while she was taking a nap.

58. Ignoring the hideous couch…

Actually, I can’t ignore it. Because it’s going to get even worse, given how bad those Doritos will stain. But smart kid. No one else is going to want to share those.

59. It’s just so blah

These two are clearly in sync. And quite determined to liven up this room. However, the question begs to be asked. What is it they are painting with?

60. Young Tarzan

Seriously, he looks like Tarzan or a little superhero, doesn’t he? But he’s outside and clearly having fun. Better than having his nose glued to a monitor—big or small.

61. At least they aren’t grinning

These kids know there are going to be some consequences. And that seems to be missing in a lot of these pictures, don’t you think?

62. There’s a learning curve

Getting our motor skills under control takes a bit of time. We always hear about hand eye coordination, but let’s not forget we had to learn hand to mouth coordination too.

63. Thoughtful children

I guess they thought the fish were lonely. And if you’ve ever watched fish slowly glide around a tank, you would understand that. So some books and toys have been added to dull the drudgery of their lives.

64. In case you were wondering

If you take all the colors of food coloring and mix them all together, it’s seems you get dark green. Personally, I would have thought you’d get black.

65. 22 pounds of flour

For our metric friends, that’s 10 kg of flour. Either way, a lot. The good news is that it looks like the perpetrators are also included in the cleanup.

66. Blast out of the past

Who still have a VCR in their home? I bet there are a lot of kids today that don’t even know what a VCR. But back in the day, someone’s 17-month-old twins decided they wanted to watch Cars.

67. You have to wonder

If your kids grab your makeup and use it on themselves and they end up looking like this, why? Is it because this is what they see when they look at you?

68. I got this

There must be the best snack in the world that that kid is after. And see how that rack has started to bow? This didn’t end well.

69. Hmm

Are we sure it was a kid that did this? And if so, how old was this kid? Old enough to throw something that heavy, so old enough not to throw something that heavy in the house.

70. Making eggs

Little kids are largely mimics. They see what you do and try to copy. This one has decided to “make eggs.” And I have to say he’s doing a good job of keeping the shell out. Except he’s doing this on the floor.

71. Finding a stand in

What do you do when you’re inside where there’s no snow but you want to make a snow angel? I guess you improvise.

72. The good news is…

That isn’t what you might be thinking it is. It’s just dirt from a potted plant they got into while dad was “watching them.”

73. Easter eggs?

You’re supposed to hide them, right? But I don’t imagine this is an acceptable place to do so.

74. Nope!

Okay, I know I’m going to offend someone here, so my apologies. I’m into big dogs and think little dogs in general—and Chihuahuas especially—are ugly. And painting it purple didn’t help at all.

75. The right way and they wrong way

There is an art to applying makeup. Especially things like liquid eyeliner. I know adults that haven’t been able to get that right. Maybe by the time she’s old enough, she’ll have learned the art.

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