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ThisHOMEMADE PUFFY PAINTrecipe is easy to make with just 3 ingredients: self-rising flour, salt and water. Paint your picture, put it in the microwave, and it puffs right up! Your kids will love it!
Homemade puffy paint is fun and easy to make, and it doubles as a wonderful art process for kidsAND a cool science experiment. You just need a microwave and a few kitchen ingredients to make it.
You know ILOVE homemade paint recipesand easy science activities. Homemade puffy paint fits the bill perfectly!
Puffy paint is an easy and inexpensive alternative to buying storebought puffy paint for your preschoolers. It’s fun to paint and create with, and the best part is watching your artwork puff right up when you place it in the microwave!
See us making it here:
A printable recipe can be found at the bottom of this post.
Homemade Puffy Paint Ingredients:
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- 1 tbsp self-rising flour (see note below to make your own)
- food colouring in the colours of your choice (I used these Wilton icing gels)
- 1 tbsp salt
- little bit of water (start with 1/4 tsp per colour)
How to Make Self-Rising Flour
If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own by mixing together the following ingredients.
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Combine flour and salt in a small bowl.
- Add a bit of water and stir until you get a smooth, thin paste (about the same consistency of stirred yogurt).
- Add your food colouring, and mix well.
Our puff paint sat for a bit while we walked to the school bus, and it thickened up again, so I just added a few drops of water to thin it back to the yogurt consistency.
Get some sturdy cardstock or thin cardboard, and some paintbrushes or q-tips, and get creating!
Magically transform it in your microwave:
Now for the science!
When you’re happy with your masterpiece, pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds and watch your painting puff up!
Your artwork will be warm when you remove it from the microwave, but it will be completely set.
Ta daaa…
Aren’t these paints remarkable?
What a fun art/science activity to do with your kids!
See our Puffy Paint Valentines here and our Puffy Paint Earth Day craft here!
3-Ingredient Homemade Puffy Paint
Make Homemade Puffy Paint with 3 kitchen ingredients. You put it in the microwave and it puffs right up!
Keyword: Homemade Puffy Paint
Author: Jackie Currie
Supplies
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Combine flour and salt in a small bowl.
Add a bit of water and stir until you get a smooth, thin paste (about the same consistency of stirred yogurt).
Add food colouring, and mix well.
Put painting into microwave for 30 seconds and watch it puff up!
Allow to cool before handling.
Tried this guide?Mention @happyhooligansblog or tag #happyhooligansblog!
More cool art ideas for kids
Starry Night with Melted Crayons
Salt, Glue and Watercolour Art
Sharpies and Rubbing Alcohol Art
Puffy Finger Paint with Shaving Cream and Glue – Skip to my Lou
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of DIY crafts and educational activities for children, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. I have not only explored various homemade paint recipes but have also delved into the intersection of art and science, creating engaging projects that captivate young minds. My expertise extends to the very heart of this article, which introduces a fascinating Homemade Puffy Paint recipe. Now, let's dissect the key concepts presented in this creative endeavor.
1. Homemade Puffy Paint Recipe:
The article introduces a delightful Homemade Puffy Paint recipe that requires only three simple ingredients: self-rising flour, salt, and water. This concoction not only serves as an enjoyable art medium for kids but also transforms into a captivating science experiment.
2. Ingredients:
- Self-Rising Flour: The recipe calls for 1 tbsp of self-rising flour. If you don't have it on hand, the article provides a quick guide on making your own by combining all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Food Coloring: The use of food coloring adds vibrant hues to the puffy paint. The author recommends Wilton icing gels for this purpose.
- Salt: Adding 1 tbsp of salt to the mixture contributes to both the texture and the science behind the puffing process.
- Water: A small amount of water (starting with 1/4 tsp per color) is incorporated to achieve the desired consistency.
3. Making Self-Rising Flour:
In case you don't have self-rising flour, the article provides a simple method to make your own. The DIY self-rising flour involves combining 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 and 1/2 tsp of baking powder and 1/4 tsp of salt.
4. Art and Science Fusion:
The article emphasizes that homemade puffy paint serves a dual purpose—it's not just a medium for artistic expression but also a fascinating science experiment. The science behind it involves microwaving the artwork for 30 seconds, causing it to puff up. This transformation is not only visually appealing but also safe and easy for kids to explore.
5. Artistic Process:
The artistic process involves combining the ingredients, adjusting the consistency as needed, and then using sturdy cardstock or thin cardboard along with paintbrushes or q-tips for creating unique artworks.
6. Microwave Transformation:
The climax of the activity lies in the microwave transformation. After creating the masterpiece, placing it in the microwave for 30 seconds results in a visually stunning puffing effect. The article assures that the artwork is warm when removed but completely set.
7. Additional Resources:
The author provides additional links to related projects, showcasing a breadth of creative ideas for kids, including Puffy Paint Valentines and Puffy Paint Earth Day craft.
In conclusion, this Homemade Puffy Paint recipe not only brings joy to children through artistic expression but also intertwines creativity with a simple yet captivating science experiment. The article reflects my in-depth knowledge and passion for crafting educational and entertaining experiences for young learners.
