- Choose some items that are known for their deep color. Some suggestions are beets, carrots, blueberries, spinach, marigold flowers, roses and day lillies. Generally anything that is edible is safe for this project. Most of these release their pigments in boiling water, so boil about 1/2 cup of water for each color desired. Chop the items into small pieces and place them in a heat-resistant bowl. Pour the hot water over the chopped material and let it sit for at least 2 hours. You may want to do this the night before, or at least before lunch if you are painting after lunch.
- Grate a bar of plain white soap. Place 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a mug or small bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the strained, colored water and 1/4 cup of grated soap. Heat it in the microwave for a minute and stir it. If the soap has not dissolved, heat it for another 30 seconds until the soap is dissolved and the cornstarch has thickened the solution. Repeat for each of the colors.
- Set the mugs or bowls of paint aside for about an hour to cool the paint to room temperature. The paint will also thicken a little more during this time. You can transfer the paints to small bottles for longer storage time or use them immediately. This paint is good for small children as the colors are muted and it is soap-based, so it should not stain anything. Children can use brushes or their fingers to smear it on thick paper.
