Making safe, colorful finger paint for children is easy. Recipes center around flour, liquid laundry starch, or cornstarch, and while some require cooking, others can be mixed up quickly without the stove. Some have a form of soap added to aid with clean-up. Whichever type of finger paint you make, it should be stored in tightly covered containers in a safe place. You can use food coloring or tempera paint to color as desired.
No-cook Flour Finger Paint
2 c. white flour
2 c. cold water
coloring
In a large bowl, slowly add the flour to the water while stirring with a wire whisk until thoroughly mixed. Divide into containers and add coloring.
No-cook Laundry Starch Finger Paint
¼ c. (.06 L) liquid laundry starch
coloring
Place liquid starch in a container and add coloring as desired.
Cooked Cornstarch Finger Paint 1
½ c. (.12 L) cornstarch
3 Tbsp. (44 mL) sugar
1/2 tsp. (2.5 mL) salt
2 c. (.47 L) cold water
coloring
Combine all ingredients except coloring in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Divide into containers and add coloring.
Cooked Cornstarch Finger Paint 2
1 c. (.24 L) cornstarch
3 c. (.71 L) water
coloring
Boil the 3 c. of water in a medium saucepan while dissolving cornstarch in a little water in a bowl. Remove saucepan from heat, and stir in cornstarch mixture. Return saucepan to heat and boil until thick and clear. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Divide into containers and add coloring.
Cooked Cornstarch Finger Paint 3
1/3 c. (.08 L) cornstarch
2 Tbsp. (29.5 mL) sugar
2 c. (.47 L) cold water
¼ c. (.06 L) liquid dishwashing soap or laundry soap flakes
coloring
Mix dry ingredients in saucepan, then slowly stir in water. Cook over low heat until the mixture becomes thick and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add soap, mixing well, divide into containers, and add coloring.
Cooked Flour Finger Paint
1 c. (.24 L) flour
2 Tbsp. (29.5 mL) salt
1 ¼ c. (.3 L) hot water
1 ½ c. (.36 L) cold water
coloring
Mix dry ingredients in saucepan, then slowly stir in water with a wire whisk, beating until smooth. Add hot water and bring to a boil until mixture becomes thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Divide into containers and add coloring.
