Toothpaste Crafts

Kids will have fun using toothpaste in crafts.

Toothpaste is an ideal product for kid crafts because it is inexpensive, washable and can be purchased at almost any store. Toothpaste tubes also are the perfect size for small hands to hold and squeeze. Younger children may even find it easier to "paint" with a tube than a paint brush.

Aquarium-In-A-Bag or Sky-In-A-Bag

Use blue or green gel toothpaste to mimic water or the sky.

Children love fish and airplanes, but they cannot visit the aquarium or airport every day. Instead, fill a resealable plastic sandwich bag with sparkle blue gel toothpaste. Add gummy fish or gummy airplanes. Push out the air pockets and seal. Do not put anything with sharp edges in the bag because it might poke through the bag if squeezed. To prevent the bag from opening, seal the top edge with tape.

Make Your Own Toothpaste

Homemade toothpaste saves money and is healthy.

Making toothpaste is fun, healthy and it encourages children to brush. For vanilla toothpaste, combine one teaspoon of vanilla extract with four teaspoons of baking soda. Add one teaspoon of salt and one or two teaspoons of water. Place all ingredients in a resealable container such as a small lotion bottle and shake well. You can add other flavors, such as orange extract, cinnamon oil and mint oil.

Paint With Toothpaste

Add white toothpaste to paint for texture.

Add a twist to a typical painting session with toothpaste. Use white toothpaste alone or mix it with Tempera paint. Toothpaste creates a three-dimensional effect so show little artists how they can create clouds, puffy flowers and water waves. Toothpaste paint is safe for finger painting and hand stamping. Toothpaste paint also can be used on more than just paper. Use it on wood-painting projects, such as Christmas ornaments.

Batik Prints With Toothpaste

Create a Batik print by mixing white toothpaste with aloe vera lotion.

For a more advanced art project, use toothpaste to create a Batik print T-shirt or pillowcase. Mix equal parts of white toothpaste and aloe vera lotion in an empty glue bottle. Use a pencil to lightly trace designs onto the T-shirt or pillowcase. Trace over lines with toothpaste mixture. Dry completely. Use washable paint to fill in the design and let dry. Rinse the T-shirt or pillow case in the sink, wiping off toothpaste if necessary. The toothpaste will leave a white outline.

Resources

• "Naturallysavvy.com"; Toothpaste: Natural or Poison?; Wayne Gendel