DIY Natural Pigment Paints for Kids
Creating DIY pigment paint with kids is a fun activity that encourages creativity and resourcefulness and can be made zero waste! Children can learn about colors, textures, and the joy of crafting something from scratch. All you need are a few simple ingredients typically found at home and in nature.
We like to use pigments from nature because, let’s face it, nature is busting with different colors, and we know how fun it is to look around on a nature walk for different colors in berries, plants, and flowers.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making DIY pigment paint with kids:
Materials Needed:
- Cornstarch
- Water
- different colors from berries, grass, plants or flowers
- Small mixing bowls or cups
- Spoon or whisk
- Paintbrushes
- Paper for watercolors or canvas
Instructions
- Extract the Pigments
Cook the flowers, plants, or berries in a small amount of water to extract their natural pigments.
- Prepare the Cornstarch Base
In a small mixing bowl or cup, combine two tablespoons of cornstarch with four tablespoons of water. Stir until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. This mixture will be the base for your pigment paint.
- Add Color
Once the cornstarch base is ready, add some of the natural dyes to create different colors. Have fun and experiment with mixing primary colors to create secondary colors. For example, mixing red and yellow food coloring can create orange pigment paint.
- Mix and Adjust
Thoroughly mix the color into the cornstarch base using a spoon or whisk. If the paint is too thick, add a few more drops of water. If it’s too runny, add a bit more cornstarch. This step allows kids to understand the concept of color mixing and consistency.
- Get Creative!
Once the DIY pigment paints are ready, give the kids paintbrushes and paper or canvas and let them start their artistic creations.
Looking for more craft ideas check out my post about finger knitting and how to make bird feeders
In my book a practical guide to zero waste for families I have a whole chapter about DIY kids crafts and homemade art supply recipes.
