Finger Paint Recipes

How to Make Homemade Finger Paint

Finger painting is just one of the ways your toddler begins to gain fine motor control. Finger painting may seem like a mess now, but it is paving the way for more refined skills like holding a pencil, using buttons and zippers or tying shoes. If you find you don't always have finger paint on hand, here are a few recipes made with items you probably already have in your pantry.

Finger Paint (Uncooked Version)

What you need:
1/2 cup liquid starch
1/2 cup soap powder
5/8 cup water

What to do:
Beat together until the consistency of whipped potatoes.

Finger Paint (Cooked Version)

What you need:
2 cups flour
4 cups cold water
Food coloring or dry tempera

What to do:
Mix flour and water and cook over low heat until thick.
Cool.
Add a pinch of salt.
Add dry tempera or food coloring, if desired.
Store in covered jar in refrigerator.

Kool-Aid Finger Paint

What you need:
2 cups flour
2 packs unsweetened Kool-Aid
1/2 cup salt
3 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons oil

What to do:
Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

Jell-O Finger Paint

What you need:
Any kind of flavored Jell-O
Hot water

What to do:
Mix enough hot water (a little at a time) until mix has the consistency of finger paint. Allow to cool before play.

Pudding Finger Paint

What you need:
Instant vanilla pudding
Food coloring

What to do:
Mix pudding according to directions.
Add food coloring for desired color.