DIY Puffy Paint

Trying to enjoy winter and coming up with fun things to do, while keeping in mind the ever-changing restrictions is difficult. This only becomes more stressful when you have children. However, I have a fun idea that only requires items you have in your house already! Plus, your children will love it, and it will keep them occupied for hours.

a child's hands are squeezing blue paint from a plastic squeeze bottle

a child's hands are squeezing blue paint from a plastic squeeze bottle

 What You Need:

  • 2 cups of flour

  • 2 teaspoons of salt

  • Blender

  • Food colouring

  • Poster board, card stock, cardboard, or craft paper

  • Squeeze bottles (or just use a plastic baggies with the tip cut off)

  • Microwave

Instructions:

  1. Add flour, salt and water to your blender, and blend until super smooth. Make sure there aren’t any puffy paint chunks or it will clog up when you begin painting.

  2. Add the puffy paint to squeeze bottles or baggies, and keep half of the plain paint to colour.

  3. A simple trick to blending the food colouring is to keep half of the leftover paint in the blender and the other half in a bowl off to the side. Add in the desired colour and blend, then pour the blended paint into another squeeze bottle, and rinse out the blender. Repeat this process with the rest of the paint.

  4. Now you take your different paints, and create some art!

  5. When you are satisfied with it, put it in the microwave, and cook on high for 30 seconds. Watch through the window as it puffs up. If there is a lot of paint on your paper, it may need double the time in the microwave.

Written by Jennifer Klassen, ECE Student, Fanshawe College

Childreach