Help your child make Eco-Friendly Art Supplies

Save money and the environment by helping your child make their own eco-friendly, non-toxic finger-paint and play dough at home.

With the rising cost of art supplies, finding extra money to buy your child finger paints and play dough can be challenging.

The good news is that making your own eco-friendly, non-toxic art supplies at home is easier than you think.

Money saved aside, you’ll also know precisely what is going into them, and most of these recipes can be whipped up in less time than it would take to go to the store.

Homemade play dough

This play dough is not only edible (though it is not tasty, so sampling is strongly discouraged), but it can also be made in about 10 minutes and lasts much longer than store-bought play dough. It is simple to store in plastic containers, resealable bags, or recycled plastic containers from the store-bought dough (after it has dried out).

If the homemade dough becomes dry or is left out for too long, work a little water into it, and it will be as good as new.

What you need

• 1 pan
• 1 wooden spoon
• waxed paper
• 1 cup of flour
• 1 cup of water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1/3 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• food coloring

How to make it

1. In a saucepan, combine the flour, cream of tartar and salt.
2. Add the water and vegetable oil.
3. Turn the heat to medium/low and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Add a few drops of food coloring.
5. Keep stirring until the dough clumps around the spoon and forms a big lump.
6. Remove from pan and allow to cool on waxed paper.
7. After it has cooled, knead the dough to eliminate lumps.

Finger-paint

Through sensory play, finger painting is an excellent way for children to explore, learn, and develop. It encourages children’s creativity when they can feel the cool, squishy texture of the paint and experiment with color and patterns. It’s also a good way for kids to express themselves.

What you need

• 1 large bowl
• 1 wooden spoon
• 2 cups white flour
• 2 cups cold water
• Food coloring

How to make it

1. Pour cold water into a large bowl.
2. Slowly stir the flour into the bowl.
3. After mixing it well, divide it into smaller bowls and add food coloring as desired.

Watercolor paint

This watercolor paint is inexpensive and available in virtually any color or scent your child prefers. Purchase unsweetened drink mixes because sugary varieties will result in very sticky fingers and kitchen surfaces.

What you need

• Hot water
• Unsweetened powdered drink mix (of any flavor or color)

How to make it

1. Place a tablespoon of drink mix in a bowl and add a small amount of hot water until the powder is dissolved and the paint is the consistency you want.
2. Add more powder for thicker paint and more water for thinner paint.
3. Mix and match the flavors of the drink mix to create new scents and colors. Your child’s art will even keep the fruity smell after it dries!

Play-with-your-food finger-paint

This edible fingerpaint variation is especially enjoyable for children under the age of one who is still exploring food, textures, and feeding themselves. There is no need for paper; allow them to “paint” their high chair tray. Give your toddlers this paint and brushes, and send them to the bathtub for a fun twist. They can have fun painting in the bath, but they will need an extra rinse when they are finished!

What you need

• Plain yogurt or vanilla pudding
• Food coloring
• Powdered drink mix or cocoa powder

How to make it

1. Add the desired amount of yogurt or pudding to the containers.
2. Mix in food coloring and powdered drink or cocoa powder.

Some Additional things to try…

Helping your child make eco-friendly art supplies can be a fun and educational activity. Here are some ideas for eco-friendly art supplies and how to make them:

1. Recycled Paper: Encourage your child to create art on recycled paper. You can make your own recycled paper at home using old newspapers, cardboard, or scrap paper. Blend them with water, spread the mixture thinly, and let it dry to create new paper sheets.
2. Homemade Paints:

• Vegetable Paints: You can make paint from natural ingredients like beets (red), spinach (green), or turmeric (yellow). Mix the juice of these vegetables with a bit of flour to create natural, safe paints.
• Playdough Paint: Mix cornstarch, water, and food coloring to create a paint-like consistency. This homemade paint is non-toxic and washable.

1. DIY Paintbrushes:

• Nature Brushes: Use leaves, twigs, or grass bundled together to create unique brushes. They can create interesting textures and patterns.
• Recycled Brushes: Attach old bottle caps, sponges, or fabric scraps to sticks to make paint applicators. This way, you’re reusing materials that would otherwise be thrown away.

1. Natural Glue: Make glue using natural ingredients like flour, water, and a bit of vinegar. Mix them to create a paste-like consistency. This natural glue can be used for various art and craft projects.
2. Fabric Scrap Collage: Instead of throwing away old fabric scraps, encourage your child to create collages with them. They can cut the fabric into different shapes and glue them onto recycled cardboard or paper.
3. Reusable Art Supplies: Invest in reusable art supplies like refillable markers, eco-friendly sketchbooks made from recycled paper, and biodegradable clay. These options minimize waste and are better for the environment.

When guiding your child in making eco-friendly art supplies, emphasize the importance of recycling, reusing, and being mindful of the environment. It’s a great way to nurture their creativity while instilling eco-conscious habits.