Making it yourself is so much cheaper! We do have store bought finger paint for certain projects…it just works better. But sometimes if we just want to get messy and have fun why not use cheaper stuff. And it’s super washable!

When I make finger paint, I make sure to toast the flour for 5 minutes to help kill bacteria just in case my girls decide they want to try paint! Do closely monitor small children and encourage them not to eat it. This recipe does contain artificial food coloring so its best not to have them eat it but it is safer than store bought paint. Unfortunately, using natural vegetable derived food coloring creates a limited pastel looking paint. This recipe reminds me of colored gravy! It has the same consistency! It will get thicker and thicker as it sits.

Ingredients

1/3 Cup of Flour

2 Cups of Water

2 Tablespoons of Sugar

Food Coloring

Instructions

1. Heat up a sauce pan on medium heat.

2. Add flour to pan and heat up for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add sugar and water and stir until it thickens up.

4. Pour into bowls. If making multiple colors pour into separate bowls or cups.

5. Add food coloring. Start with less food coloring until you reach the desired color.

This is before adding the food coloring! Colorless Gravy!

After adding the colors. I had to improvise…we were out of red and yellow! 2 out of 3 primary colors!

This is some of the fun we had! It’s MESSY! Super washable! Just don’t let it dry completely! Clean up right after!

Some color theory for you guys! I am a licensed cosmetologist, I can’t help it!

Primary colors= Red, Blue, Yellow

All colors are made from the primary colors. So, if you have these three colors you can make any color. Use equal parts of primary colors to create secondary colors like violet, orange, and green. If you don’t have all 3 f the primary colors then you have to get creative. I made “yellow” above with pink and orange!

Red + Blue = Violet

Red + Yellow = Orange

Blue + Yellow= Green

Have kids help you mix colors or have them make some of their own fun colors.

Store any unused paint in an airtight container. When you are ready to use just give it a stir. Too thick? Add some water. These are not recommended for long term storage.

Give it a try!