Our boys love to paint which means we go through a lot of paper and paints. We find that watercolour paints are the best to use and so easy to clean up. As we go through so much, I researched how to make your own watercolour paints that would hopefully work out a little cheaper.
We made these paints in small plastic shot type glasses that I had picked up from a cheap shop. Originally, I had planned to use them to hold water for the watercolour paints, but worked out they would also be great for holding the paints we made too.
What you need:
bicarb soda
cornflour
white vinegar
syrup (make by boiling one cup sugar and 1/2 cup water until clear)
food colouring or tempura paints
jug for mixing in
containers to put your finished paint in
paddlepop sticks for mixing
To make the watercolour paints:
Mix 4 TBSP baking soda with 2 TBSP white vinegar. When the fizzing subsides, slowly add the cornflour and syrup.
When mixed, pour into containers and add food colouring. Mix well. The colour of your watercolour paints, depend on the amount of food colouring you use. To make darker colours, add more food colouring, for lighter colours, only add a small amount of food colouring.
Leave paints to harden. The deeper your paint, the longer it will take to harden.
You could also make an edible version of watercolour paints, by mixing equal amounts of milk powder and water and then add juice from berries or other natural food colours.
That was such a simple recipe. I pinned so I can remember when my little one gets old enough to at least not try to drink them 🙂
What a great way to save some money and make your own watercolor paint. Thanks for the great tips and the recipe.
I can’t wait to try this! Thank you!