This no-mess finger paint solution is a favorite in my house, as longtime readers know! I decided to introduce the other moms in my town to it through the craft series I’ve been running at our library instead of cleaning my house. Lily picked yellow and red, which turned out to be my favorite color combination for this activity – it looks like the sunset as the colors start to mix!
Here you can see Lily’s board, with the colors nearly completely mixed. Johnny has white and blue paint on his board, and Emma has red, blue, and white. These boards are fun for drawing, and practicing letters and spelling words!
We taped the tops shut with packing tape this time, and then taped them to pieces of cardboard, which turns it into a travel no-mess fingerpaint board! This craft works best with freezer ziploc bags, and if you have a kid who likes to get into things, I recommend adding a top coat of packing tape, which should make it indestructible for most kids. We did use washable paint, just in case, but we didn’t have any incidents during the craft session.
Anna got a turn with one of these as well, although I think she may have found the tape nearly as exciting as the paint!
Do you have an activity that you do with your kids over and over?
MaryAnne lives in Silicon Valley with her Stanford professor husband Mike and their four children. She writes about parenting through education, creativity, and play. Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting is a space to share crafts, hands on learning activities, and family outings that enrich lives and bring families together.
Susan Call Hutchison (ReadAloudReadAlong.com) says
Brilliant. One of those, “I can’t believe I’ve never seen this before” moments.
MaryAnne says
Thanks! :)
Mud Hut Mama says
I agree – the red and yellow combo is beautiful!
MaryAnne says
We have done this activity SO many times, but this was the first time a kid combined those two, and it is definitely my favorite!
Renee says
I have seen this on pinterest and want to give it a try :-) I also notice that I have a few potatoes that are getting a bit old (could cook them but….) thinking that since the forecast is still nice tomorrow I might try to do some stamping with paint and craving potatoes in different shapes!.
MaryAnne says
I’ve never done potato stamps with my kids – thanks for the idea!
andiejaye says
we love to do this… the video is the best!! i so need to share this smile-inducing video!
MaryAnne says
Thanks! :)
Jen says
So fun! Such a perfect mess free paint activity!
Ticia says
I do, but of course right now I’m not thinking of any of them. Goodness, I am so tired this morning, I just am not thinking of a thing.
Christy says
This is a favorite in our house too, and I agree about the red and yellow combination – so pretty!
Tara says
i like the red and yellow mix! what sort of paints do you use? somehow I’ve never been totally convinced of this project though it seems so perfect! I believe it is due to the wring “filling” / wrong paint.
a sacrament meeting favorite is aqua doodle – do you know that?
MaryAnne says
We do love aqua doodle! I just used tempera paint this time, but my favorite is actually to use old shampoo or hair gel mixed with food coloring – it gives a very nice texture!
Tara says
I think I know now what it was: I used hair gel and food coloring and the kids managed to scratch the plastic bags open. I’ll try it with freezer bags this time. They should be sturdier. How often can your kids re-use these bags on average?
MaryAnne says
My kids can use them for weeks, but they tend to be very gentle with toys. One way to make it sturdier is to cover the bag with packing tape, which is nearly impossible to scratch through!
Ann says
Going to try this tomorrow with our little visitor!
MaryAnne says
I hope she enjoys it!
PragmaticMom says
I love the no muss/no fuss. Would be great at a restaurant or for a long car ride too!
MaryAnne says
I have a friend who is planning to bring it along for an upcoming car ride. Great idea about bringing it to a restaurant, too!
Sherri says
I don’t mind messy activities…but when we can do an equal NO MESS one…I really appreciate it! :)
MaryAnne says
Exactly!
Elisa | blissfulE says
Beautiful!! Anna’s dexterity is developing rapidly.
MaryAnne says
She’s got her pincer grasp down :)
Frances says
Somehow I’m missing where to click or read to find the directions to do this. I understand it is paint inside a zip bag but other than that, what are the how-to details? Thank you!
MaryAnne says
Hi Frances,
Maybe this post will help you out? https://www.mamasmiles.com/learning-laboratory-mess-free-art-improved/
Let me know if it still doesn’t make sense, or if you have questions!
Anonymous says
You can also use laminating pouches and use a hair straightener to seal the pouch so no sticky tape is needed to seal the activity and no mess :)
Great idea and I will be giving it a go tomorrow :)
Thank you x
MaryAnne says
What a great idea! I would love to hear how it goes if you try that solution!
marisa says
Just made this for my AP Play School today!!! Used the hair gel and food coloring :) Also Used Foodsaver bags so both ends are totally sealed!!! Super excited!
MaryAnne says
Foodsaver bags – brilliant!