Homemade Paint for Kids

Do your kids love to paint, but they’re going through more paint than you care to buy? Kids really don’t care what brand of paint they use, as long as they have plenty of paint for creating beautiful works of art.

You can make homemade paint that’s just as good or better than store-bought paint, and you’ll save money in the process. It’s easy to make finger paint and watercolors. You can include your kids in making homemade paint, and you’ll discover it’s almost as much fun to stir up a batch of homemade paint and experiment with mixing colors, as it is to use the finished paint for painting pictures, designs, craft projects, and more. Try the following homemade paint recipes next time your kids are out of paint, and you’ll provide them with the medium they need to broaden their imagination and heighten their creativity.

Homemade Finger Paint

Although some people don’t want their kids using finger paints, and some would only give this fun and messy substance to their enemy’s children, kids absolutely love finger paints. Every child should have the opportunity to be creative and put themselves into their artwork – literally.

To make homemade finger paint you’ll need one and one-quarter cups of white flour, one cup of water, three tablespoons of glycerin, and food coloring of various colors. You’ll also need three small containers for storage.

Simply combine the white flour and water, and divide the mixture equally between three small mixing bowls. Stir a tablespoon of glycerin into each bowl, and add food coloring of your choice.

Don’t limit yourself to mixing primary colors. This is the perfect opportunity to teach your kids how primary colors are mixed to create secondary colors such as purple, orange, and green. The color mixing process will be as entertaining as painting with these fun and easy homemade finger paints.

Homemade Watercolors

Although watercolors aren’t the easiest paints to use, watercolors are one of the first types of paint kids are encouraged to use. You can make watercolor paints that are perfect for kids by mixing glycerin with a few ordinary household staples.

To make homemade watercolors you’ll need four tablespoons of baking soda, two tablespoons of cornstarch, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, two teaspoons of water, one teaspoon of glycerin, and about four or five drops of food coloring.

Combine the baking soda and vinegar in a small mixing bowl, and after the mixture stops foaming, stir in the glycerin and cornstarch. Lastly, mix in food coloring of your choice, and if the mixture appears to be too thick, thin it with a little water. Store the paint in a jar with a tight sealing lid.

Paint Storage

Save plastic frosting containers with lids, plastic film canisters, baby food jars, and any other small containers that have tight sealing lids. Store homemade paint in a cool location, and keep it out of reach of younger kids. The paint will last indefinitely when properly stored.