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Homemade Eco Finger Paints

Homemade Eco Finger Paints

Updated 25 July 2017 08:49 AM

This recipe is easy to follow and most of the ingredients are common in the kitchen. By making your own finger paints, you know exactly what your child is playing with and know that it is safe. 

3 tablespoons of Sugar

½ tablespoon of Salt

½ cup of Corn Starch

2 cups of Water

5 drops of natural Food Colouring (add more until you reach your desired colour)


  1. Combine all the ingredients except the food colouring in a small saucepan
  2. Gently heat until the mixture thickens
  3. Allow the mixture to cool, then pour into small containers such as jars. This recipe will make enough for six separate colour paints, but you can make more or less if desired
  4. Add a few drops of food colouring to each jar, and mix.  Add more food colouring for brighter paints
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Science Notes

Traditional store bought finger paints can contain chemicals such as toulene and ethylene glycol. These chemicals can cause adverse effects in the kidneys, and reproductive and respiratory systems. By making your own eco finger paints, you are avoiding the use of harsh chemicals (especially if you use organic ingredients).

The homemade paint is edible too, so you don’t need to worry about it being eaten.  (Although large amounts are inadvisable!)

Related Tip

Reuse old containers such as jam jars, coffee jars, sauce bottles or something of a similar nature for your paints. This way you will not need to buy any jars.

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