How to Make Homemade Paint

Updated March 20, 2020
Originally Published February 26, 2017

Buying paint for kids or a classroom can be pricey! Never buy paint again with this 3 ingredient homemade paint recipe! This is a money saving DIY for parents and teachers on a budget (or for those of us who love being crafty!). 

How to Make Homemade Paint - Never buy paint again for kids! 3 ingredient DIY homemade paint recipe. Salt, flour, and water.

How to Make Homemade Paint

Making your own homemade paint with kids is a rewarding process that helps children understand that store-bought is not the only way! This recipe is simple, non-toxic, and it costs next to nothing to make. Not to mention it’s pretty rewarding to make your own art materials.

How to Make Homemade Paint - Never buy paint again for kids! 3 ingredient DIY homemade paint recipe. Salt, flour, and water.

How to Make Homemade Paint

One reader, Chantel, made the paint and used toilet paper tolls and cotton swabs for painting. She said, “Such a blast for the little ones!” You can use this paint as finger paint or regular brush paint as well.

How to Make Homemade Paint

You can use any containers you have on hand to store the paint. Or, you can find some paint bottles online. The paint will separate after sitting for awhile. Simple shake the bottles up again and they will be as good as new!

How to Make Homemade Paint - Never buy paint again for kids! 3 ingredient DIY homemade paint recipe. Salt, flour, and water.

You might also like these homemade activities for kids too!

Homemade Paint

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Homemade Paint

You Will Need

Directions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine even parts of water, salt, and flour. I use 2 cups of water, 2 cups of salt, and 2 cups of flour to fill up our medium size paint containers (as pictured).
  2. Once fully combined, funnel the mixture into paint bottles.
  3. Place small drops of food coloring in each bottle.
  4. Shake the bottles to mix the paint.
  5. Continue adding food coloring until desired shade is achieved.
  6. Paint as usual! Paint will completely dry on paper.
  7. Store the paint with the lids on top.
  8. Paint will separate after sitting for awhile. Simple shake the bottles up again and they will be as good as new!

*Reader Tip: “I added little bits of water at a time after adding the colors to get a smoother consistency.”

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