scented gel paints

 

Made from everyday kitchen ingredients, these gel paints are a useful tool for teaching color theory as well as developing fine motor skills. They're also great for having lots of messy fun.

1/2 c. cornstarch

2 1/4 c. cold water

food coloring

flavoring extract

4 small heat proof jars (preferably wide mouth)

Add cornstarch to a medium sized sauce pan. Whisk in water and turn heat to hi. Whisk constantly being sure to get into the corners. When all of the paint base has come to a gel like consistency, immediately remove from heat. Let the paint base cool for a couple of minutes, then spoon evenly into four heat proof jars. Careful, it's still hot!

Now is the time to add your food coloring (I used 5 drops of McCormick Neon! colors in each jar. It appears as though they have replaced the green with yellow since I purchased my box.) Add 1/8 tsp. of your flavoring extract of choice to each jar. Mix vigorously with a spoon until your paints are evenly colored.

These paints will stain. Keep your child's clothes and work surfaces covered.

Have fun!

Comments

[jessica]

I am going to make these for school next week--such fun!

[Allison]

Wonderful! I'm glad you'll be able to get some use out of this.

[Emily]

What a great idea! I'm definitely going to try this!

[Kristi]

Excellent. I'm thinking these would be perfect for outside painting in bathing suits. LOTS of outside painting. With no snow.... sorry, drifted off into dreamland there....

[Karen]

This is great, thanks.
Sippy Cup Mom, Karen
http://sippycupcentralmom.blogspot.com/

[Manu]

funny. that definitely looks like a lots of fun. should test it with the kids.

[kathy]

These look like fun and terrible mess with toddlers.. I am thinking great for filling up a kiddy pool in the summer and making them play in neon goo...