FINGER PAINTING RECIPES

EASY FINGERPAINT
You can fingerpaint anytime with this simple recipe.
Put 1 cup liquid laundry starch in a bowl.
Then mix in 3 tablespoons of tempera paint.
 
CORN SYRUP FINGERPAINT
This glossy fingerpaint is sure to become a favorite.  You will need a heavy finger painting or freezer wrap paper for this activity.

Put a spoonful of corn syrup on each child’s paper.
Then squeeze one or two drops of food coloring onto the corn syrup.
Let your children use their fingers to mix the color into the corn syrup.
Then make designs all over their papers.
 
FLOUR FINGERPAINT
This fingerpaint has a wonderfully thick texture and makes great finger paintings.
Combine 2 cups flour and 4 cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes, or until thickened, making sure to stir the mixture every 30 seconds. (Or cook in a saucepan over low heat until thickened.)
Add a pinch of salt.
Mix in food coloring or tempera paint until fingerpaint is the desired color.
Cool and store in a covered container in the refrigerator.
 
CORNSTARCH FINGERPAINT
This fingerpaint has a smooth, thick texture and dries to an opaque finish.  You will need:
3 tablespoons sugar
½ cup cornstarch
2 cups cold water
6 drops liquid dishwashing soap.
12 drops of food coloring
Mix sugar, cornstarch, and water together in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat in the microwave for about 3 minutes, or until thickened, making sure to stir the mixture every 30 seconds. (Or place ingredients in a saucepan to stir over low heat until thickened.)
Stir in liquid dishwashing soap and food coloring.
Cool and store in an airtight container.
 
PLAY DOUGH FINGERPAINT

Here is a way to turn old play dough into fingerpaint.
Put play dough in a bowl and add enough water to make it runny.
Place a glob of this mixture on each child’s finger painting paper.
Variation:
Drain water table.
Place play dough in the table.
Add some water and let your children mix it into a paint consistency.
Let children make designs in the paint.
Then using a piece of finger painting paper, have children make a print of their design by laying the paper on top of the design and pressing their hand across the back of the paper.