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TenRecipes for Homemade Art Supplies is a post by Tanya of Homeschooling x 3.
Art projects can be a mom’s best friend! I know they are for this homeschool mama. Art projects give us something to do on days when we are stuck inside, and keep the kids off of the television andvideo games when they are bored.
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While it is important to have store-bought, quality art supplies at times, having recipes for homemade art supplies using household ingredients is great(especially for my little one) because the supplies are inexpensive, and I can keep making more when we run out!
EasyRecipes for Homemade Art Supplies
I’ve included some links for items you might not have on hand for your convenience when making your homemade art supplies. These are affiliate links, which don’t change how much you pay. We might receive a small compensation when you shop through them though. Thanks!
How to Make Homemade Finger Paint
In a small saucepan, mix together 1/4 cup cornflour and 2 cups of water. Add food coloring to get to desired color.
Boil until mixture thickens, then allow to cool. Pour into lidded containers to store (these are inexpensive and disposable).
How to Make Homemade Watercolor Paint
Simply mix together 3 tablespoons corn starch, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons corn syrup, 3 tablespoons baking soda, and 3 tablespoons white vinegar.
Pour into separate containers with lids for use & storage.
Mix in a few drops of food coloring into each container to make different colors.
Explore: Art Projects for Small Children
How to Make Homemade Puffy Paint
In a bowl, mix together equal parts of flour, salt, and water. Mix in food coloringfor color.
Pour into squeeze bottle for use and storage.
How to Make Homemade Playdough
Combine 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of salt, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and a cup of boiling water until you get a playdough consistency.
Store in a Ziploc bag when not in use.
You can add a few drops of food coloring for color, or a packet of Kool-aid for color and scent!
Explore: Playdough Recipes and Mats
How to Make Homemade Flubber or Slime
In one bowl, stir together 3/4 cup warm water, 1 cup of glue, and food coloring to get the color you want.
In a second bowl, stir together 1/2 cup water and 2 teaspoons of Borax (in the laundry aisle at the store).
Pour the first mix into the second bowl and you have slime / flubber! Just reach in and pull out the chunk of flubber (pour out the extra liquid).
How to Make Homemade Bath Crayons
Grate a bar of soap until you have about 1 cup. Mix with 1 cup of hot water until the gratings are melted and you have a stiff dough.
Mix in a few drops of food coloring for color.
Press the dough into molds (you can use candy or soap molds) and allow to harden.
Explore: Recycling Old Crayons: Fun Art Project
How to Make Homemade Lick and Stick Stickers
Pour 2 tablespoons of cold water into a bowl and sprinkle 1 packet of plain gelatin over it. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of boiling water until gelatin is dissolved.
Add 1/2 tablespoon corn syrup and a few drops of flavored extract for taste.
Apply a thin layer of this solution to the back of whatever you want to make into a “sticker”.
Let it completely dry, and there you have it – your child can simply lick and stick when ready!
How to Make Homemade Bubble Mix
Mix together 6 cups of water, 2 cups of liquid dishwashing soap, and 3/4 cup corn syrup or liquid glycerine.
Allow to sit for a couple of hours before using to blow bubbles!
How to Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk
In a bowl, mix together 1/3 cup quick-setting plaster of paris, 1 tablespoon of powdered paint for color, and 3 tablespoons water. Quickly spoon mixture into (soap or candy molds), or into cookie cutters set on wax paper. Tap to remove air bubbles.
Allow to dry for 45 minutes, then carefully remove from mold or cookie cutters.
How to Make Homemade Chalkboard Paint
Paint a chalkboard on your wall, a kids’ tabletop, anywhere you want to be able to write with chalk!
Mix 2 tablespoons of tile grout for every 1 cup of paint.
Apply at least 2 coats of paint to your surface, and when it dries smooth it with 150-grit sandpaper.
Before using any chalkboard, its best to turn a piece of chalk sideways and color the entire surface once, then wipe off with a damp cloth. This “conditions” your new chalkboard.
Explore: Thankful Chalkboard Art Tutorial
Source: These recipes come from my manilla folder filled with cut-out arts & crafts recipes saved over the last decade of homeschooling! Enjoy!
Need ideas for art projects? Here are some great sites we love to check out:
Other Posts and Projects You May Love:
You can find Tanya doing arts & crafts and other homeschool activities over at Homeschooling x3.
10 Recipes for Homemade Art Supplies was originally published January 18, 2011; updated April 2017
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