Homemade Paints

Paint You Can Make at Home

Painting is always a fun activity for toddlers. Early on, they learn about texture by using their hands, and later on they can master fine motor control when you introduce a brush. If you find you don't always have paint on hand, here are a few recipes, many made with items you probably already have on hand.

Soap Paint

What you need:
Warm water
3 cups Ivory Snow detergent or soap flakes
Food coloring

What to do:
Add water, a little at a time, to detergent flakes.
Mix to consistency of heavy cream.
Color with small amount of food coloring.

Another Soap Paint

What you need:
1 cup soap flakes
1/3 cup liquid starch
1/4 cup water

What to do:
Whisk all ingredients together for 3 minutes.

Puffy Paint

What you need:
Flour
Salt
Water
Food coloring

What to do:
Mix equal amounts of flour, salt and water.
Add food coloring for color.
Pour mixture into squeeze bottles and paint.
Mixture will harden in a puffy shape.

Salt Paint

What you need:
1/8 cup liquid starch
1/8 cup water
Food coloring

What to do:
Mix together and apply to paper with a brush.
Keep stirring mixture. Paint will crystallize as it dries.

Powdered Milk Paint

What you need:
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup water
powdered tempera

What to do:
Mix all ingredients together.
Store sealed in the refrigerator.