Make some special holiday drawings using inexpensive puff paint that you can make yourself. This provides kids with a different method of painting and gets them to use their muscles to squeeze, which is great for their fine motor skills.
This is what you’ll need:
- Art paper (the paper must be thick to support the weight of the puff paint. Card-stock works well)
- Squeeze bottles
- Powdered tempera paint
- Flour
- Salt
- Water
- Measuring cup
- Plastic zipper-style sandwich bags
Step 1 – Prepare the Puff Paint
Mix equal parts flour and salt a sandwich baggie. Add a teaspoon or so of powdered tempera paint. Add the same amount of water as you used flour and salt. Close the bag and squeeze and knead the mixture until it is completely combined. Pour the puff paint into the squeeze bottles by cutting off one corner of the sandwich bag and piping the paint into the bottles (as you would use a piping bag for icing).
Connect: Have your child help with the measuring and mixing. Kids love to scoop and measure. The feeling of the paint inside the bag is a new sensory experience for them as well.
Step 2 – Paint
Encourage your kids to paint on the paper with the puff paint. Squeeze and pour designs.
Connect: Your child will naturally want to see what happens when they hold the squeeze bottle up high compared with holding it down low. Younger children may want you to draw a design that they can follow with their paint bottle.
Step 3 – Puff!
Put each painting in the microwave for about 30 seconds. This will make the design puff up and dry.
Connect: Show your child what the paint looks like before and after microwaving it. (Be careful, it will be hot when it comes out of the microwave!)
Product Recommendations from Discount School Supply®:
Nancy™ Paint Bottles Classic Tips, 2 oz. – Set of 12
White Card Stock – 100 SheetsSet of 10 Colorations® Powder Tempera Paint – 1lb
Set of 10 Colorations® Powder Tempera Paint – 1lb
Little Hands, Big Imaginations 