Make Your Own Art Supplies
October 21, 2011
Sometimes it’s more fun, feasible, and less-expensive to make your own art supplies, rather than running to the local store and stocking up again when your kids use the last bit of finger paint. Recently I hosted four little boys at my house and had to rely on my make-it-from-scratch skills. I was able to whip up homemade art supplies (some that are even edible) and they were a hit. These art supplies recipes can be made in only a few minutes, and you can get your children involved:
Edible Finger Paint
Ingredients:
- 3 T sugar
- 1/2 C cornstarch (or flour)
- 2 C cold water
- Food coloring
- Blank paper
Directions:
Mix sugar and cornstarch together in a sauce pan. Add cold water and combine with a whisk. Cook on medium heat until the mixture thickens to a thin pudding consistency. I recommend stopping the cooking process a little before it’s the consistency you’d like because it thickens upon standing. Once removed from heat, COOL and then separate into bowls and color as desired. Pass out the paper and let the kids express their artistic abilities with their fingers and hands.
Another fun way to enjoy finger painting with your kids is during bath time. All you need are a few simple ingredients.
Bath Time Art
Ingredients:
- 1 can of shaving cream
- Food coloring
- Muffin tin
- Paint brush (optional)
Directions:
Spray the shaving cream into a bowl and mix with food coloring. Repeat in a separate bowl for each color. Separate the different colors of shaving cream into a muffin tin and it becomes a palate of fun for the bath. Include a paint brush or just use your fingers and let your kids be creative on your bathtub walls. The best part is it rinses off. Your children will want to spend hours in the tub with this idea.
Peanut Butter play dough
Ingredients:
- 1 C creamy peanut butter
- 2 C powdered sugar
- 1/2 C honey
Directions:
Mix either by hand or with the use of a stand mixer. Let your kids get in on the fun by using their hands. This is another great idea for you and your kids to have fun in the kitchen. The results are fun to play with and taste great too!