by Heinz Sladek

Created on: September 21, 2008   Last Updated: July 24, 2011

As an elementary school teacher who does not get much provided in the way of supplies, I am always looking for inexpensive and easy ways to make my own supplies for my students. Over the years, I have learned how to make my own play dough and I have learned how to make my own finger paint. Besides the benefits of knowing just what I was putting in the paint, these items are much more cost effective and frugal choices to the pricier name brands that can be purchased at the local store.

There are several different ways to make finger paint. Mainly, much depends on what items are in my cupboard at the time when I decide to make it. Another factor that I consider is how it is going to be used. If I am going to be using it on large pieces of butcher paper, I will use recipe #1 or recipe #2, if is am going to use it on a tabletop of desk with the goal of easy clean up, I use recipe #3.

Finger paint recipe #1

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 ½ cups cold water
• 2 cups boiling water
• Food Coloring

Directions:

1.) Mix the flour with the salt in a saucepan. Add the cold water and stir until mixture is smooth. Gradually add the boiling water while stirring.

2.) Turn on the stove, bring mixture to boil, and boil until the mixture becomes smooth and thick.

3.) When cooled, separate into individual containers and add food color to each to make a variety of colorful paints.

Finger paint recipe #2

Ingredients

• ½ cup cornstarch
• 3 Tbsp. sugar
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 cups cold water
• Food coloring

Directions

1.) In a saucepan, mix all the ingredients together. Cook while stirring over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes until mixture is smooth and thick.  Let the mixture cool.

2.) Divide the paint into individual containers and add a few drops of food coloring to each container. Cover tightly when storing.

Finger paint recipe #3 (quick, easy and clean)

Ingredients 

• Shaving cream
• Tempera paint
• Paper or table top

1.) Spray shaving cream on your tabletop or your child's paper. Add a couple of drops of tempera paint of your choice.

2.) Let children swirl it around on tabletops until it dissolves and then use wet paper towels to clean surface. (This is a great way to clean desks and tabletops in a fun way for children).

Finger paint is so much fun for children. It is tactile and kinesthetic, both of which young children need for development. What better way to enjoy an afternoon at home with young children or to spend time in a kindergarten or pre-school classroom is there than finger painting. Painting is an avenue for creativity that opens and finger painting is perfect especially for very young children. So take some time to make your own finger paint and have fun with your little ones today.

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