I'm always looking for good crafts to keep my toddler busy. But too often, whatever craft I've chosen brings a lot of plastic waste with it. Homemade alternatives can be time consuming, or call for ingredients I don't have at home (and come in their own plastic). Thankfully, I have one homemade craft that is quick, easy, low waste, taste-safe, and most importantly--keeps my kiddo happy!
These finger paints are so easy to put together. You just need flour, water, sugar, and food coloring. Your little one can even help!
Ingredients:
2 cups water
1/3 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
food coloring
1. Mix the water, flour, and sugar together in a shallow pan. Make sure it's not lumpy!
2. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to thicken. You should be able to see the bottom of the pan for just a moment when dragging a spoon through the mixture. Not too thick though, or it will be too goopy to paint with!
3. Divide the paint into individual containers and allow to cool (this is quick).
4. Mix in the food coloring for the desired colors.
I divided my paint into five containers and added drops of food coloring to make the following colors for a Valentine's Day project:
Light Pink: 1 red
Dark Pink: 8 red
Peach: 2 red, 1 yellow
Light Purple: 6 red, 2 blue
Dark Purple: 3 red, 3 blue
The kids will enjoy painting with (and even tasting) it, and the recipe makes enough paint for several good projects. Unless your toddler completely covers the paper in a deluge of paint. Like mine does. In that case, at least they'll have a good time.
A word of warning, though! This paint is essentially a light glue--and it shows it if allowed to dry on anything, including children. Clean everything up when the paint is still wet, or it will STICK.
My toddler had fun with it, and I hope yours does too! Happy crafting!
