OT - Fingerpaint Recipe?

[TamiK]

Okay, so this isn't really food, but it's fun. Do any of you know how to make fingerpaint? I used to make it when my kids were little, but I don't remember how any more. I'm going to have my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter all summer, and just introduced her to the joys of fingerpaint yesterday. What fun! However, at $1.00 for an itty bitty jar, I think I'd rather make it myself!

Any other fun ideas from those of you whose kids are closer to the preschool years than my 19 and 23 year olds? We used to have so much fun--I just can't remember how! Do the brain cells really die this quickly at 41?

Tami--who is in bed because I hurt my back dancing and hopping in a circle with my granddaughter!!!
Arghhh!

[mamacox]

Can you still buy dry starch? We used to make up starch (thick) from the dry starch mix and add dry tempura paint. Made great fingerpaint, and cheap. How about using cornstarch, and cook it with some water until thick, then add dry tempura paint. You can also use pudding, but it will not last like regular fingerpaint.

[ewatkins]

How about Oobleck? You take a box (or just 1/2) of cornstarch, mix it with water, and it changes from liquid to solid and back again as you squish it. I have a great recipe for homemade playdough but will have to look for it later.

[Chef Cindy]

Finger painting what fun! I remember when I was a kid watching my teacher make finger paints. She used dry Tempura paints and something that came in a light blue bottle and what came out of the bottle was also light blue and fairly thick. Could it be fabric softener? I was very young at the time and the was a very long time ago.
What about macaroni necklaces. Did any of you make those?

[Mamasue]

If you want an edible finger paint, especially for very young children....just make a box of instant pudding...chocolate or pistacchio (sp) would show up nice. Use sheets of parchment paper. This more for the fun and feel and not creative art that can be saved.

[Beth]

I have a fun book called Kids Create! Art and Craft Experiences for 3 to 9 yearl olds by Laurie Carlson. I bought this at a school book fair but have seen it in stores. It didn't have a fingerpaint recipe, but it does have recipes for play clays. My favorite is a slight variation on one of those. It uses a package of soft drink mix to color and scent the clay. After making this, I will never buy the other stuff again. Here it is:

Play Clay

1 cup flour
2 T vegetable oil
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 pkg unsweetened drink mix such as Kool-aid
additional food coloring, if desired

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Use a wooden or other heavy spoon to stir over medium heat. The mixture will be soupy for several minutes and then start to thicken very quickly. When it thickens, remove from heat and continue stirring until it roughly forms a ball. Turn out onto a smooth surface and knead as it cool. Store clay in an airtight container. (The book says it can be refrigerated or frozen, but I have never done that. If you leave it or pieces made with it our, they will air dry).



[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 04-29-2001).]

[TamiK]

Thanks, guys. I thought I remembered starch and tempera paint, but I wasn't sure. We have done colored macaroni necklaces, and will do more.

Isn't it funny how these simple things stay with us through the years as some of our most comforting memories?

[tovie]

I've never tried this, it's just in a pile of recipes I've collected. I kind of wonder about food coloring coming out, though.

Finger Paints

3 Tbs sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups cold water
food coloring
liquid detergent

Mix sugar and cornstarch, then add water. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until well-blended. Divide into 4-5 containers and add a pinch of liquid detergent (helps in clean-up). Add different food coloring to each container and mix well.

And just for fun...

Homemade Silly Putty

1/2 cup Elmer's glue
1/4 cup Sta-Flo liquid starch

Mix the glue and starch together. Mixture will need to dry a little before it's workable. Store in an airtight container.

[clairea]

Originally posted by Mamasue:
If you want an edible finger paint, especially for very young children....just make a box of instant pudding...chocolate or pistacchio (sp) would show up nice. Use sheets of parchment paper. This more for the fun and feel and not creative art that can be saved.

Yogurt also works nicely, and comes in lots of different colors (some of which I find a little frightening, but the kids love it). My kids love doing this.

I have a fingerpaint recipe that calls for using 1/4 cup liquid laundry starch with 2 drops of food coloring. I have never tried this, but it is from a book published by Parents Magazine.

I'll try to post some more ideas later.

Claire

[Beth]

Between my schedule and the BB being difficult, I haven't been here for a while. My 4 yr old loves to paint, and I'm going to be looking for lots for him to do this summer. His older brother is signed up for 3 weeks worth of scout and basketball camps, but haven't found anything that works for the little one.