We go through craft supplies like no other here. This also includes stuff like bath crayons and homemade bath paints. Because of this, I am always on the hunt to find ways to make these items from home in a cost effect easy manner.
To make these homemade bath paints was super easy. We typically make ours in little Tupperware with lids so that we are able to store whatever is not used.
To make this I prefer to use kid safe soap. While you could use dish washing soap or any type of liquid soap, I opted for kid-safe soap since it is my kids that will be playing with it. I wanted something that was gentle on their skin and designed with them in mind. After all, they most likely were going to end up painting themselves with this stuff…
I like to mix the base in a large bowl before adding in the colors. It makes less of a mess and goes quicker for me when I do it this way.
When it came to adding the cornstarch I did not follow an exact amount. Instead, I added as I went. The more cornstarch that you add the less opaque the color will be. For the best results, we usually do 2:1 – kid soap to cornstarch.
Once the base is completely mixed then I portion it out and add in the colors.
Also, cornstarch clumps. It can be a bit of pain. By using a toothpick I was able to poke apart those clumps with ease.
We have also made these amazing adapted visual recipe cards for homemade bathtub paint. The packet includes recipe sequence, visual supports, and a card sized recipe that would fit perfectly on a binder ring. Visual recipes are a great tool for your special education students and a lot of fun for giving kids more independence in their “recipe” creations 🙂
Homemade Bath Paints
Looking for a gentle homemade bath paint recipe? Try this fun and colorful bath time activity that is also safe for baby's skin.
Materials
- Cornstarch
- Kid Friendly Soap
Tools
- Plastic Cups
- Plastic Spoons
- Food Dye
- Paint Brushes
Instructions
- Gather all your supplies.
- Mix together 2 parts kid soap to 1 part cornstarch. We typically use 1/2 cup of kid soap to 1/4 cup of cornstarch.
- Place in individual containers and add food dye.
- Stir everything together and paint!
Notes
Homemade bath paints are designed for single use. It is not recommended to attempt to store these paints after they have been played with once.
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So do you put these paints on the bottom of your bathtub and just cut your naked kids loose with them to paint the tiles and tub? Or are they just named bath paints because they are made with kids bath soap.
Lol. Your kids can paint with these in the tub all over the tiles and tub. They will wash right off.
Does it wash off grout too?
As long as you do not use gel dyes, grout will not have any issues. Just make sure that you are using regular plain food dye.
Does this stain the skin?
Thank you SO much for this. I had bought crayola finger paint soaps for Christmas for my baby for $1 each and as I’m nearing my last tube I went to find more and saw them for $15 for 3 tubes!!!! This is so much more cost efficient and easy. Thank you.
How does the food dye not stain the grout and kids’ skin? When I cook with dye it takes 2-3 days for the stain to come off if I spill. Is it just because the dye is diluted in the mixture? I want to do this but I am so hesitant that it will stain my white tiles and grout.
Use regular food dye and not something like gel dyes. Gel food dye will stain. This recipe does dilute it and is soapy. If for any reason it does leave marks (I have been using this recipe since 2007 now and have never had it happen…but if it does) white vinegar gets food dye stains out.
Can these be used as part of bath time too, or just in an empty tub and then rinsed thoroughly and bathed afterward? Thinking they may not fully rinse clean with all the cornstarch and food dye in the water.
We have used these for bath time with no issues.