Kids of all ages absolutely love to use squeeze paint for their works of art!
This is an easy recipe to mix up and the paint provides an added texture to a child's masterpiece.
The recipe makes a batch of paint that will fill one 8-ounce squeeze bottle. Adjust the recipe for the number of different colors you would like to make.
What You Will Need:
- 8-ounce Squeeze Bottle (one for each color)
- 1/3 cup Water
- 1/3 cup Flour
- 1/3 cup Salt
- Washable Tempera Paints
- Mixing Bowl
What You Do:
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the water, flour, and salt. The consistency of the paint will be just barely pourable.
- Add several drops of washable tempera paint to the mixture and stir to achieve the color you would like.
- Pour the paint mixture into a squeeze bottle. A funnel is helpful - just roll a piece of paper into a cone shape and use as a funnel.
- To use, simply squeeze the paint onto a piece of cardstock, chipboard, or art board sheet. We recommend placing the paper on an art tray or cookie sheet for easy clean up.
- Place the completed painting on a flat surface to dry. Drying time will vary depending on how thick the paint is. We recommend drying at least 24 hours before displaying.
Variations:
- Experiment with a variety of painting surfaces - from cardboard to canvas, and even walls! Because this paint is fairly thick, it can be applied to vertical surfaces (kids love this).
- Store leftover paint in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. This will keep the paint fresh and make it last longer.
- Make a bath of yellow, blue, and red paint. Encourage children to experiment by mixing the primary colors to create colors of their own.
- Don't have tempera paint? Liquid Watercolor Paint or even Food Coloring will also work to give your puffy paint its color.
The Science:
The flour acts as a thickening agent. It contains proteins that when mixed with water, form a network that gives the paint its viscosity. Salt adds texture and helps preserve the paint by inhibiting the growth of mold and bacteria. Water dissolves the flour and salt, creating a smooth, spreadable mixture. Tempera paints provide the vibrant colors and help to bind the ingredients together.
