This homemade paint is easy, cheap, and fun to make. These non-toxic paints are made from basic pantry items in less than 5 minutes! The color options are unlimited, and because these paints are safe to eat, they are perfect for finger painting, too. Kids of all ages will love them!
“But what can I dooooooooo?????…” Repeat. Repeat again. Endless cycle of repeat.
Those words are like fingernails on a chalkboard, people. And while I don’t believe I should be my kids 24/7 personal entertainment, we still like to have a lot fun discovering together.
I recently learned about the easiest recipe for fun in the history of homemade entertainment… Enter our homemade kids paint. Made with only 3 insanely simple ingredients, I can almost guarantee you have everything sitting somewhere in your pantry right now. And I love it because it amuses everyone from the baby, to my preschooler, and me too! Not to mention it’s 100% toxin free. Win-win.
INGREDIENTS FOR HOMEMADE PAINT
This recipe could not be easier with all items you have in your pantry – flour, water, food coloring. I love to use these squeeze bottles –> buy them on Amazon. And when you are done, just clean them out and they are ready for the next batch of paint!
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE PAINT
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour with warm water until the mixture is very smooth. Make sure it is warm water – it mixes in so much better than if the water is cold!
- Divide into however many containers you prefer and stir in your desired amount of food coloring. Paint away!!
That’s seriously it.
You can use this paint as finger paint or regular brush paint. The measurements for the flour and water are definitely not set in stone. The amount I gave was for the consistency that I liked best, but it’s by no means a science. Feel free to add more water or flour until you reach your desired consistency.
Here is the texture of the paint once painted on paper.
This paint does not store well, so just make enough for what you’ll use that day.
Funny story… I accidentally left a couple of containers on my counter for two days (don’t ask..the husband was out of town and things got craaaazy).
As I was preparing lunch I heard a “POP!” and looked over to find one of the canisters completely bulging and leftover paint bursting through the seal.
Helloooo, fermentation. I guess it could have made a great sourdough start for dyed bread, but not so great for painting with toddlers. Lesson learned. (But if anyone uses theirs as a sourdough start, let me know!)
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Flour: $0.07 (a 25lb bag of flour costs roughly $8 at my local Costco)
Water: Free
Food Coloring: Depending on how much you use, anywhere from $0.05-$0.20 worth.
Total Cost: $0.27 if we’re guesstimating on the high end. With an average 16oz bottle of Crayola paint costing between $3-$4, that’s an at least 90% savings. Now how’s that for being thrifty?
PRO TIPS
- If the paint is too thick to squeeze out easily, add a little more water.
- No squeeze bottles? Use any bowls or even small cups for the paint.
- Use sponge brushes, paint brushes or even your fingers!
- Parchment paper is fun to finger paint on with little kids.
- Put down a big waterproof tablecloth for easy cleanup.
PS – I bought these cool squeeze bottles on Amazon here and I LOVE them.
Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did! It’s a lifesaver for summer and rainy days.
OTHER HOMEMADE RECIPES
- Best EVER Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution
- Natural Crayon Remover For Walls
- Easy 3 Ingredient All Purpose Spray
- Homemade Kids Toothpaste
- DIY Poo Fragrance Spray
Next time you make this homemade paint for kids, I would love to see what they create! Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #happymoneysaver and tagging me @happymoneysaver!
Homemade Paint for Kids
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1 cup warm water
- food coloring
- containers or squeeze bottles
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour with warm water until the mixture is very smooth.
- Divide into however many containers you prefer and stir in your desired amount of food coloring.
- Paint away!
hi i was wondering would the food coloring would make a mess?
I haven’t had any issues with food coloring making a mess.
love it
I have a full bag of whole wheat flour that is past its best by date. Do you think this would work??
It might be a bit darker in color but I’d say give it a try!
Love this recipe!
I made this paint recipe to paint a pencil holder. This recipe is awesome and works great when kool ade replaces the food coloring!! Thanks for sharing this recipe for us!?
I’m very excited about making our own paint, but I have a question…I’m wanting to use the paint to make footprint art to hang on the wall. Will this hold up for that? I’m planning to just use regular poster board paper. Thank you!
Great idea! I’ll probably use it for projects p. B b. Projects myself.
I tried this! used cheap watercolour tubes instead of food colouring. Works like magic!!! thank you soooo much for sharing!
xoxo from Norway!
First off found you on Pinterest. Thanks for the recipe. Do you think it could be colored with koolaid?
I have never tried using koolaid before in this recipe. But if you do let me know!
This looks like so much fun, but I am wondering how the paint does on canvas, i.e. will it last or does it begin to crumble and deteriorate as time goes on? Thanks
I am not sure how it does on canvas over time. I haven’t tried it out yet!
Can you use this to paint pumpkins for the fall season?
I haven’t tried it yet but I can’t imagine why not! 🙂
Did you try this on pumpkins? Looking to try it out
Will this stain? My kids like to paint the garage door and the house??
Thanks for posting this recipe! The two little ones I baby-sit had just as much fun making the paint as they did painting with the paint! Thanks again!
Hey Karrie,
I love all of your posts and I know you are trying to do things more naturally. Consider trying to use other things to color the paint. Food coloring is on my list of eliminations for my own reasons, but I think there is much many don’t know about artificial colors. Beet powder to make red or pink etc. Just a fun thought:)
Hi,
I was wondering if you could use gluten free flour?
Thanks!
I haven’t tried using gluten free flour. If you try it out let me know what you think! 🙂
What flour do I use to make paint