Creative  Art Techniques​ Recipes
Easy activity recipes  for a preschool classroom or a home art  program

​Many of these recipes  use food materials.  Don't  use them if you prefer not to use food products for art work.

Everyday Playdoh
Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter in a bowl. Meanwhile, bring to boil 1 cup of water, one tablespoon of cooking oil and a few drops of food coloring. A little flavoring essence could be added, too. Pour hot mixture into flour mixture and stir. Add more flour if necessary.
 
Kool-Aid Playdoh
Add a packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid to boiling water in Everyday Playdoh recipe to strengthen the color and scent.
 
Self-hardening Playdoh
Mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of flour, and add ½ cup of water. Use the same day, air dry for about 48 hours, and paint if desired.
 
Peanut Butter Playdoh  (edible)
Do not use  this if nut allergies are present, or  possible.
Mix together 1-cup peanut butter and ½ cup honey. Blend in powdered milk until mixture is not sticky, and a playdoh consistency. Double the recipe if necessary.
 
Fudgy Chocolate Playdoh (edible)
Mix together 4 tablespoons softened butter, 1/2 cup white corn syrup, 6 tablespoons cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 cups powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup powdered milk.  Knead well.
 
Finger Paint
Pour about a tablespoon of liquid tempera on laminate surface or large piece of shiny paper.  Add a few drops of mild dish soap.
 
Pudding Finger Paint (edible)
Add food coloring to prepared vanilla pudding, and finger paint on a paper plate.

Colored Rice and Noodles
Put the desired amount of rice or noodles in a plastic bag and add a few drops of food coloring. Close the bag and gently shake and squeeze until the ingredients are uniformly colored. Spread on a paper towel to dry for a few minutes.
 
Cornstarch Mix
Place ½ cup cornstarch in a bowl. Add water little by little to create a workable consistency.  This mix alternates between liquid and solid.
 
Egg Yolk Paint
Separate the yolk from the white of an egg. Put the yolk in a small cup, and save the white for another use. Mix a few drops of food coloring and ¼ teaspoon water with the yolk. Make several colors with more yolks. Use a small brush or cotton swab to paint. This paint dries with a glossy finish on paper.  It can be used to paint cookies before they are baked.
 
Buttermilk or Condensed Milk Paint
Mix drops of food coloring with ¼ cup buttermilk or condensed milk. This creates pastel colors
 
Corn Syrup Paint
Mix drops of food coloring with a small amount of corn syrup. Mix in small glass cups to see the translucent colors.  This is sticky and glossy.
 
Bubbles
Mix together equal parts of water and Joy dishwashing soap. Make a wand by twisting a pipe cleaner into a circle with a handle.
Back to Creative Art Techniques  index
Indispensable Supplies
 Activity Recipes
Techniques with Paint (20)
Techniques with Collage and Glue  (15)
Drawing Techniques (6)
Techniques for Print Making (10)
Sculpting Techniques (3)
Construction Techniques (4)
Stitchery Techniques  (8)
​Miscellaneous Techniques  (4)

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