How to Make Finger Paint

Ask any mom who has cleaned a high chair after a meal, and she'll tell you that little ones love to explore new textures. By making a set of finger paints, parents can encourage children to learn colors and explore their creativity. These mixtures are safe because they're edible. The pudding finger paints are softer and sloppier, while the corn syrup finger paints hold patterns better. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Instant vanilla pudding
• Milk
• Small plastic storage containers
• Paper plates
• Light corn syrup
• Liquid food coloring

Pudding Finger Paint

1. Prepare two 4-ounce packages of instant vanilla pudding with milk according to package directions.

2. Divide the pudding into four equal parts. Spoon the pudding into four small plastic storage containers that have lids.

3. Add liquid food coloring to the containers. Use only a few drops of each color, a different color for each container.

4. Stir the color well to blend it evenly in the pudding.

5. Scoop some of each color onto a paper plate and let the children use their homemade finger paints to create works of art.

6. Refrigerate any unused portion for another day's activities.

Corn Syrup Finger Paints

1. Put out a paper plate for each different color you plan to make.

2. Measure 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup onto each plate. The corn syrup is thick and will not run.

3. Drop liquid food coloring into each glob of corn syrup. Mix together well with your fingers.

4. Watch your child paint and explore new vistas when you present the finger paints.

Tips & Warnings

• Most food coloring sets have basic colors of blue, green, yellow and red. After experimenting with the primary colors, parents can create other colors. Mix yellow and red to produce orange. Blue and red create purple.

Resources

• Find more ideas to expand your child's creativity.