Edible Art Supplies
On rainy days when kids can't play outdoors, many moms look forward for the sun to shine so that their active children can be occupied and not bored. In the meantime, mothers turn to indoor activities such as arts and crafts. However, it can be frustrating when you don't have the proper art supplies and don't live near an art store. For years, smart moms and preschool teachers have realized that sufficient art supplies can be found right in the kitchen.
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Landscapes
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Many kitchen staples can be used for creating landscapes. For example, rice grains can be used to form landscape objects such as sand and mountains. Dried beans can "paint" mountains and hills. Fresh dill, parsley and broccoli florets are excellent for creating shrubs, grasses and other plants. As for marshmallows, use them for anything from puffy clouds and mountains to stepping stones on a beach. Peanuts make perfect stepping stones and other landscape items.
People and Animals
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For creating portraits and full-body drawings of people and animals, look no further than your vegetable and fruit refrigerator bins. For example, hair can be created using cauliflower, which can be dyed with food coloring to make curly blond, brunette or auburn hair. For glue, use sticky foods such as peanut butter.
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Paints
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Paints can be made from food coloring, Kool Aid or Tang crystals. For example, by mixing a can of condensed sweetened milk and a couple of drops of food coloring, you can create very nice, thick paint. Just add brushes and paper, and encouraging a child to create an original masterpiece.
Finger paints can be created using sugar, cornstarch, cold water, salt and food coloring (see Resources below). On the other hand, pudding works, too!
Wearable Art
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Pastas of all shapes and sizes have been used for years in homes and preschool classrooms to create jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces. Also, you can paint them with food coloring. Add sparkle to pasta jewelry by applying glitter. If you don't have any glitter, colored salt is a suitable substitute.
3D Art
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Play dough can be made with cream cheese (8-oz. package) combined with 1/2 cup of nonfat dry milk and a tablespoon of honey. Equal amounts of peanut butter and honey can also be combined to create play dough.
For building three-dimensional items such as houses, use stick pretzels to create a log cabin house, held together by peanut butter or honey as glue.
Misconceptions
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Edible art supplies aren't just for kids. Professional artists such as watercolorists use common table salt to create rain by sprinkling salt on moist colored paper. Besides used for producing pigments, watercolorists also use it for special effects. For example, rock salt can be dropped, thrown or scattered onto wet watercolor paint to depict decorative graduations in color. Watercolorists also use sprayed water to create the illusion of rain or a foggy day.
Considerations and Warnings
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Before using anything edible, check expiration dates to make sure the food hasn't expired on items such as cream cheese. Check for any allergies before handing out edible art supplies to children with food sensitivities such as peanut allergies.
Always store homemade play dough in airtight containers in the refrigerator to avoid drying out. Also, supervise small children, as it's usually tempting for them to eat their art supplies.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Dreamstime, Fotolia
