Hello there! Let me share a fantastic, fun-filled activity that my kids love – using edible finger paints for sensory play. Sensory play is pivotal for children’s development as it contributes to their cognitive growth, fine motor skills, problem-solving skills, and language development. And what’s safer and more engaging than making our edible finger paints?
What are Edible Finger Paints, and Why Use Them?
As the name suggests, edible finger paints are homemade paints made of edible ingredients. We prefer them over the shop-bought ones, not just for safety reasons, but also because making them is an activity fit for the whole family. Plus, knowing exactly what’s going into your child’s mouth is super satisfying!
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
Creating your edible finger paints is straightforward and enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Ingredients
- Flour and Sugar: They create the base.
- Water: Used to adjust consistency.
- Food colouring: Add color. You can choose natural alternatives if preferred.
2. Tools
- Pots and Spatulas. For mixing and adjusting the paint base.
- Bowls. For separating paint mixtures and adding colour.
- Equip yourself with these essentials, put on your chef hat, and you’re all set to make edible finger paints.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Edible Finger Paint
Crafting your edible finger paints is a breeze with this easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide.
Follow these simple steps to prepare your edible finger paints:
- Mix: Combine sugar and flour in a pot.
- Add water: Gradually pour in water, stirring until desired consistency is achieved.
- Separate: Divide mixture into separate bowls.
- Colour: Add food colouring to each bowl, adjusting for the desired colours.
- That’s all it takes to make your very own edible finger paints!
Safety Tips for Sensory Play with Edible Finger Paints
Even though these paints are edible, safety must still be our priority. Be sure to supervise your little artists when they’re getting crafty, and check that the food colouring you use suits their age group. Afterwards, show your kids that fun can also involve tidying up by cleaning up together.
Creative Ideas for Sensory Play with Edible Finger Paints
There are so many great activities you can do with this paint! We love making handprints on paper or exploring mixing colours with our fingers. You could also let your kids paint on large pieces of cardboard for boundless artistic expression.
The Final Thoughts
Engaging your kids with edible finger paints is more than just fun. It’s also a great way to spark their creativity, enhance their sensory skills, and strengthen your bond with them. So why wait? Bring out that inner artist in your child, and have a fantastic sensory playtime!
Author bio
Andrea Gibbs is the Content Manager at SpringHive Web Agency, where she helps create content for their clients’ blogs and websites. She is currently a blog contributor at Montessori Academy, a blog dedicated to helping parents with the ins and outs of parenting children within the Montessori tradition. She enjoys spending time with her family and dog when she isn’t writing.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
