Finger painting with your toddler doesn’t require a run to your local craft store to get the paint and poster board, nor does it mean you’ll spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning up. All you need is cornstarch, water, paper and an enthusiastic toddler!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups water
- liquid (or gel) food coloring
- Big sheet of paper or letter sized paper taped together
Directions:
- Mix cornstarch and water in a saucepan and boil until the mixture thickens. It takes about 3 minutes and the final product looks just like rubber cement.
- Allow to cool.
- Separate into small containers (depending on how many colors you want to make).
- Add the food coloring to each container & stir until you get the desired color.
Notes:
- We didn’t have any large sheets of paper, so I attached a few sheets of heavy duty letter paper together. I put a towel under Felicity’s craft table and let her go crazy. It took her a little while to get used to the consistency but after that she was off and painting.
- While it’s ok if your child happens to eat some of the paint, it’s not intended for food. So if you can help it, don’t let them eat it. You don’t want your kid to be the preschool paint eater when the time comes, ya know?
- The food coloring/gel might leave stains on your hands. Ours washed off after a few scrubs, but for an easier time of it try using a little baking soda and water.
Happy painting!
