Arts and Crafts: Make Your Own Watercolors with this Recipe!

If you want to add a fun element to your art time, have your students make their own watercolor paint! Yes, it can be messy if you aren't careful, but for the right students, it can be a unique learning experience.

This watercolor paint recipe is pretty simple, but it is better suited for older children.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Yield: about 1/4 cup

INGREDIENTS:
*1 tablespoon white vinegar
*1 tablespoon baking soda
*1 tablespoon Argo® Corn Starch
*1/2 teaspoon Karo® Light Corn Syrup
*Food colors of your choice
*Styrofoam egg container

DIRECTIONS:
*Combine vinegar and baking soda in a small bowl
*When the mixture stops fizzing, add corn starch and corn syrup. Blend together; the mixture will have a thick syrup-like consistency.
*Divide the mixture among 3 small bowls.
*For each color, blend in a few drops food color. Mix with a paintbrush. Note: The more food color you use, the more intense the colors will be.
*Use the colors immediately, stirring frequently. Note: If paints dry up, simply swirl a paintbrush moistened with water and start painting. Finished painting should dry in 5 to 10 minutes.

For extra easy clean up, use a styrofoam egg container to mix the paints. Children will also enjoy experimenting with mixing food colors to create different colors.