by Catherine Barbaro

Created on: September 18, 2008

Yes it is messy and gooey and sloppy, but it is FUN! Finger-painting is a favorite of children and children at heart. During the warm months of summer, finger-painting outdoors makes clean up easy. Hot weather invites the temptation to get carried away and put on swimsuits so that more than just fingers get involved in the painting. Big sheets of butcher paper can create big pieces of art and really messy kids. The artwork can dry on the fence and the kids can be hosed off creating absolutely no mess inside the house. Rainy or cold weather calls for a more sedate round of finger painting. A plastic table cloth on the kitchen table will take care of over-enthusiastic artists. Yarn stretched between push pins or windows make great places to dry or display the results. Cleanup is easy with finger painting. It washes off. The biggest challenge is keeping it available and the cost of the paints. Finger paints easily dry out and cause money to be wasted. Loading up the children in the car to drive to the store and then shop for the paints is energy-zapping and costly. Making homemade finger paints keeps waste at bay, enthusiasm high, and is the perfect way to encourage unhindered creativity.

A cursory internet search will produce numerous finger-paint recipes but most include ingredients that are unsuitable and even dangerous for children. Food coloring is often allergy producing and stains fingers for a time and fabric forever. Combinations with vinegar and baking soda are dangerous for eyes and can irritate skin. The best recipe for finger paint is one that is safe and harmless.

Ultimate Finger-painting Recipe
1/3 C Cornstarch
2 T Sugar
2 C Water (cool or room temperature)
C dish soap (not antibacterial)
Powdered Tempera Paint (red, blue, yellow, green, black)

Combine cornstarch and sugar. Slowly add water. Stir or whisk to dissolve dry ingredients. Pour into a saucepan and cook on low heat for 5 minutes stirring constantly. The mixture will become clear and gelatinous. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool. Add dishwashing soap and stir gently to thoroughly mix. Divide mixture into 5 small bowls. Add tempera paint of one color to each dish. Mix well. The basic colors can be used to create other colors while the kids are painting. The paint is now ready to use. The recipe can be doubled as needed. Store leftover paint in airtight plastic containers or discard if it will not be used within the week.

Finger-painting is a great way to create memories and entertain children. Sitting down and painting with them increases the joy and keeps the fun from moving off the table and onto the walls. Making homemade finger-paints keeps them available and is economical.

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