25 Best Homemade Paint Recipes Free Printable for Crafts

Discover natural, non-toxic, and cost-effective homemade paint recipes you can make with simple pantry items. Great for kids, crafters, and eco-conscious artists! Find free printable you can download.

It’s amazing how one can learn science by experimenting to make paint by mixing various edible kitchen ingredients. Suitable for babies, toddlers and preschoolers to play and touch with bare hands. Older kids can also enjoy creating art with these paints. You may use paint brush, spray bottle, squeeze bottle or even fingers with these paints.

Why Make Homemade Paint?

1. Non-toxic and safe for kids and pets
2. Budget-friendly using ingredients you already have
3. Eco-conscious with zero harsh chemicals
4. A fun DIY craft activity that sparks creativity

Whether you’re painting rocks, paper, wood, or creating art with toddlers, these paint recipes are easy, customizable, and delightfully mess-friendly.

Best Homemade Paint Recipes (Tried and True)

1. Flour-Based Tempera Paint (Kid-Safe)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup salt
• ½ cup water
• Natural food coloring or washable paint pigment

Instructions:

1. Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Slowly stir in water to form a paste.
3. Divide into jars and mix in color.
4. Store in airtight containers.

Great for paper, cardboard, and light crafts. Dries matte with a chalky texture.

2. Cornstarch Finger Paint

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup cold water
• Food coloring

Instructions:

1. Heat water and cornstarch on low, stirring constantly until thickened.
2. Cool and divide into jars.
3. Add a few drops of food coloring to each.

Perfect for toddlers and sensory play. Wipes off easily from surfaces.

3. Egg Yolk Tempera (Traditional Artists’ Method)

Ingredients:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon water
• Natural pigment (powdered or ground from chalk, charcoal, etc.)
• Essential oil (optional to reduce egg smell if any)

Instructions:

• Separate egg yolk and gently remove the sac.
• Mix yolk with water until smooth.
• Stir in pigment to desired consistency.

Produces rich, vibrant color—ideal for adult artists or historical art projects.

4. Natural Plant Paint (Earthy Tones)

Ingredients:

• Crushed spinach, beets, turmeric, blueberries
• Small amounts of water
• Optional: cornstarch or flour as thickener

Instructions:

1. Blend plant materials with a small splash of water.
2. Strain to extract colored liquid.
3. Add flour or cornstarch if thicker texture is desired.

Perfect for botanical crafts and eco-art. 100% natural and compostable.

Related: 62 Nature inspired outdoor projects

5. Baking Soda Chalk Paint

Ingredients:

• ½ cup baking soda
• ¼ cup water
• A few drops of acrylic paint or food coloring

Instructions:

1. Mix baking soda and water into a paste.
2. Add color and mix until smooth.

Fun for fizzy, reactive art with vinegar! Use outdoors or on sidewalks.

Surfaces You Can Use Homemade Paint On:

Expert Tips for Best Results

1. Use airtight containers to store for up to 1 week in the fridge.
2. Add a drop of dish soap to help paint spread more smoothly.
3. Test on small areas before painting large surfaces.
4. Layer for intensity – these paints often dry lighter.

Homemade Paint Recipes Free Printable

The following recipes introduce different textures and are equally fun to create for adults and kids. You can print the ingredient list for all of these homemade paint recipes with the free printable below.

6. Doodle paint

Mix flour, salt, water and add food coloring accordingly to make this paint and fill it up in squeeze bottles.

7. Finger paint

Edible paint with using cornstarch, water, gelatin, and food coloring.

8. Puffy sand paint

Take a desired amount of play sand in a bowl and add shaving cream until it turns into a paste. Add food coloring to make different paints.

9. Sparkle paint

Add glitter to any recipe. Mix bubble bath, food coloring and glitter for summer fun.

10. Puffy paint

Add school glue (also called white glue or craft glue) to flour, and shaving cream. Now add drops of food coloring to get desired shades of paint for your art project. Fill it up in a plastic bag and cutout a tip to use it as a pen.

Note: There are lots of puffy paint recipes but after going through many I found this recipe to work the best and it gives a proper consistency to doodle and make art with!

11. Flour paint

Mix flour, water and gel coloring.

12. Glossy skittles paint

Put same colored skittles or M&Ms in a plastic container and add cornstarch syrup in cold water. Paint with paint brush.

13. Window paint

Add liquid dish soap like dawn to tempera paint. Tempera paint is very thick so add enough soap to make smooth and paint-like.

Note: This window paint is super easy to make and conveniently wipes off with a damp cloth.

14. Sidewalk chalk paint

1. An easy recipe that washes away with rain. Add cornstarch, baking soda, water and food coloring in a squeeze bottle.

2. Another instant idea to create chalk paint is to turn dollar store chalks into powder by crushing them in a airtight bag with roller. You can create instant colors by adding water and cornstarch to it.

15. Mud paint

Did you know you could use mud as paint? Add powdered tempura, water and liquid soap to mud.

16. Chalkboard paint

Plaster of paris, water and food coloring is all you need to make chalkboard paint in any color for tons of craft projects.

How to Use Chalkboard Wall to Spark Off-Screen Connection

17. Foam paint

Turn shaving cream into foam paint by adding school glue and food coloring.

18. Bath paint

Make bath time fun for kids with a mixture of bubble bath, cornstarch, water and food coloring. Use a ice cube tray as pallet for kids to use in the bathtub or inflatable pool.

19. Kool-aid paint

Scented edible paint made by adding water and flour to a sachet of kool-aid.

20. Watercolor paint

Make watercolors at home with cornstarch, corn syrup, baking soda, vinegar and food coloring.

21. Face paint

Add drops of washable paint to body lotion (or face lotion) and cornstarch.

Note: You can even make it with food coloring which has a stronger stain and homemade dye if you are worried about a reaction to your skin.

Homemade Paint Recipes Free Printable

These recipes are tested before publishing and prioritize eco-friendly, safe, and proven craft solutions. However, please check the ingredients for any health and safety or allergies.

All ingredients and methods shared here follow non-toxic safety standards and are based on firsthand experience, not just internet trends.

Get beautifully designed, printable recipe cards for each paint to keep in your craft kit!

Homemade Paint Recipes for Artists

Here are some other fun and interesting ways to make DIY paints:

1. Magic scented foaming paint:

These erupts when you pour vinegar to it introduces kids to experimenting with different ingredients.

Related: Floating boat kids science experiment (Stem Activity)

2. Erupting ice chalk cubes:

Good for summer, make in ice cube tray by mixing chalk powder, water and food colors.

3. Homemade finger paint recipe:

Involves warming ingredients in a saucepan to create a perfect mix. Use baby food jars to store homemade paints.

4. Drops of colors for paint

This food coloring quantity for watercolors is very useful and informative.

5. Alcohol inks:

Add a marker tip in 100 ml of alcohol to make alcohol inks.

Related: How to use alcohol inks – A Complete Guide for Beginners

DIY Eco-Friendly Artist Supplies

These great ideas for painting supplies that I loved the most are pure genius:

1. Make a recyclable pallet

I love this recycled paint pallet created with plastic lid and bottle caps.

2. Make Creative Paintbrushes

Sixteen fun and creative paint brushes made with clothespin and craft materials of various sort. Here are some creative things you can use for texture in your paintings:

1. Scouring pad
2. Sponge
3. Loofah sponge
4. Crepe paper
5. Folded felt
6. Cotton ball
7. Pipe cleaner
8. Curled twine
9. Muffin liner
10. Feathers
11. Cosmetic wedge
12. Burlap
13. Folded foam
14. Scouring sponge
15. Fruit netting
16. Pom pom
17. Cupcake liners

FAQs About Homemade Paint

Can homemade paint be stored?

Yes! Store in airtight containers in the fridge. Most last up to 2 weeks.

Is homemade paint safe for babies and toddlers?

The flour, cornstarch, and plant-based recipes are considered safe (but always test for allergies).

Can you use homemade paint outdoors?

Yes—baking soda and chalk recipes are great for outdoor art.

Does homemade paint stain clothes?

Some recipes, especially those with natural dyes or food coloring, may stain. Use aprons or old clothes.

Making your own paint isn’t just a fun DIY—it’s a creative and conscious way to craft. These recipes are easy to adapt and safe for all ages, from toddlers to art teachers. So next time you’re out of store-bought paint or want to try something new, mix up one of these brilliant batches and get painting!

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