How to Make Children's Paint

Parents and children can make paint from household items.

Paint bought in the store is not always appropriate for children, especially if they are young and prone to putting the paint in their mouths. Fortunately, making a children's paint at home with normal household items is simple, and homemade paint is less likely to stain, and is non-toxic -- and sometimes even edible.

Things You'll Need

• Plain yogurt
• Food coloring
• Several cups
• Large bowl
• Spoon
• Flour
• Cold water
• Powdered drink mix
• Warm water

Instructions

1. Put some plain yogurt in separate cups. Use as much yogurt as you think your child will use, such as 3 or 4 tablespoons. Add about three to five drops of food coloring to each cup. Mix the food coloring into the yogurt. If you prefer a darker color, add more food coloring. If you prefer something lighter, add more yogurt. This makes an edible and non-toxic paint that dries with a shiny appearance. Put the extra in the fridge for storage.

2. Put 2 cups of cold water in a large bowl. Stir in 2 cups of all-purpose or white flour, mixing in small amounts at a time to prevent clumping. Mix until all of the flour is in the water and dissolved. Separate into a few different cups; add a few drops of food coloring to the cups and mix. Adjust the color one drop at a time to get your preferred color. The result is ideal for finger painting.

3. Pour a packet of powered drink mix into a cup. Use different colored powdered drinks, such as orange, red and blue, in each cup. Add 2 tablespoons of warm water and mix until all of the powder is dissolved. Use this paint as you would use water colors.

References

• All Free Crafts: Paints
• Creative Kids at Home: How to Make Finger Paints for Kids
• Perpetual Preschool: Paint