Baby/Toddler Safe Art Materials: Round-up

I love art, but have children in my class who mouth everything!  So this round-up of baby/toddler safe art materials is really just a go-to list for me.  I love the idea of making art supplies from scratch.  I want the children to be able to use the materials freely but they can be so expensive!  These recipes solve that problem and are safe to mouth.  While I wouldn't encourage the children to eat the materials, a small amount is perfectly safe if it gets in their mouth since all of the recipes below are made from food materials and non toxic household ingredients.  Click on the images below to go to the original posts for details.

 Baby's First Finger Paints

baby cereal, water, food coloring, muffin tin

Whip Cream Finger Paint

Whip Cream, food coloring, muffin tin

*Note: you can also just play with plain whip cream on the table and draw pictures in it with your fingers*

Sidewalk chalk paint

water, cornstarch, food coloring, muffin tin, sponge brushes

Homemade Safe Glitter

table salt, food coloring, cake-decorating silver dust

Homemade Watercolors

cornstarch, vinegar, corn syrup, food coloring, ice cube tray, soft paintbrush

Puffy Paint

flour, water, salt, food coloring, squeeze bottles

Microwavable Puffy Paint

self-rising flour, water, salt, q-tips, microwave

Baking Soda Clay "Model Magic"

baking soda, cornstarch, water, airtight container

Fruit Loop Sand Art

crushed fruit loops, cup, spoon

*Note, the author uses glue on paper, I recommend subbing a sheet of sticky contact paper.*

*Can also layer in small jars*

Dried Bean and Grain Collage Materials

dried beans, cornmeal, etc, contact paper, cardboard

*Note, the author uses glue on cardboad, I recommend subbing a sheet of sticky contact paper.*

Fizzy Fun

baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, tray with edge, pipette

*No Link: Drop vinegar tinted with food coloring onto a pan filled with baking soda. Sheer minutes of colorful fizziness!!" Looks like a lot of fun! Saving this one for a rainy day... (or a cranky one!)*

Homemade Playdough

flour, salt, water, vegetable oil, cream of tarter or alum, food coloring, saucepan, spoon

Edible Playdough

peanut butter, shortening, powdered milk, powdered sugar, airtight container

Beeswax Crayon Rocks

 beeswax, food coloring, grated soap

More Edible ‘Paint’ Recipes

1.     Pudding (chocolate, valnilla, pistacio, etc)

2.     Greek yogurt and food coloring

3.     Condensed milk and food coloring

4.     Edible Finger Paint:  2 cups of corn starch, 1 cup of cold water, 4.5 cups of boiling water, food coloring

5.     Jell-O Finger paint: First, select a variety of colors of jell-o from the grocery. Not sugar free.  Then, pour the powder into five separate containers and boiled some water in the microwave. Add the water slowly until you get a paste that is easily spreadable with your fingers. After the paints cool, they are ready to use! Simple as that!
 

More Playdough Recipes

1. Peanut Butter Play Dough:Combine- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 cups powdered sugar 2. Scented Kool-Aid Play Dough:Ingredients- 1/2 cup salt
-1 cup water
-2 tsp cream of tartar
-1 cup flour
-2 tsp vegetable oil
-1 packet flavored drink mix (Kool-Aid)Directions: In a medium sauce pan, mix all ingredients together.
 Stir over medium-low heat until it begins to thicken.
 When you start to see mostly dry spots and the mixture pulls away from the pan, turn off heat.
 Allow to cool, knead, and enjoy!