Don’t let a gloomy afternoon dampen your spirits! 1While we all love the creative spark of art, let’s be honest—traditional painting often turns into a cleanup nightmare that leaves you exhausted. 2This Painting Bag activity is an absolute game-changer for those moments when you want to spark some joy but just don’t have the energy for a massive project. 3It is incredibly fast to set up and keeps the mess entirely contained. 4
What You’ll Need
You likely already have these treasures tucked away in your pantry or craft bin:
- 3 tablespoons of vibrant powdered tempera paint. 5
- Liquid laundry starch (this is optional but adds a great texture). 6
- One sturdy Ziploc bag to keep the “magic” inside. 7
- Construction paper in a few different colors. 8
Creating the Magic
- Prep the Paint: Whisk together your powdered tempera and the laundry starch. 9If you’re fresh out of starch, don’t sweat it! 10Simply mix the paint until it reaches a thick consistency or swap it out for some standard fingerpaint. 11
- Fill the Bag: Carefully pour that beautiful color into your plastic bag. 12Before you seal it, gently smooth out any pesky air bubbles. 13
- Seal and Play: Ensure that bag is locked tight! 14Once it’s secure, hand it over to your little artist and watch their face light up as they press and swirl their fingers across the plastic to create mesmerizing designs. 15
Pro Tip for Extra Wonder: Slide a piece of construction paper underneath the bag. 16Make sure the paper is a contrasting color to the paint; your child will be fascinated to see how the colors seem to transform right before their eyes! 17