Homemade Watercolor Paints
Make your own paint in just a few steps! Get started on this fun activity right away using supplies that you most likely have in your pantry.
Materials
Directions
Make the base of the paint by mixing together the baking soda, cornstarch, white vinegar and corn syrup in a bowl. Stir with toothpicks until the mixture has a frothy milk-like consistency.
Carefully pour the white base mixture into the tea-light holders, filling them about three quarters of the way full.
Make the watercolors by adding drops of food coloring. Add sparingly: less for lighter shades and more for darker shades. Stir with toothpicks until the color is consistent throughout. This is a great opportunity to experiment with color mixing and different shading!
Now paint away! Dip your paintbrush or swab into the tea-light paint dishes and create your masterpiece. If you're using a paintbrush, have a cup of warm water on hand to clean the brush in between colors. If you're using swabs, have one per color so that each color has its own cotton swab.
After your little artist signs her work, put her painting on display!
Tips for Success:
- Kids can either make a pencil outline on a piece of paper and color it in, or paint on blank paper.
- Introduce kids to different styles of art or artists by visiting art museums or the library (both of which are usually free!) Encourage your kids not to copy the artwork, but find inspiration in the different techniques.
Sara Rivka Dahan is a wife and mother of five with a background in design. She hopes to share her love for creativity with others by helping them enhance their everyday experiences through crafting with her blog, http://www.creativejewishmom.com. Sara Rivka especially loves crafting with recycled materials and encouraging busy moms to take some creative time for themselves!