Why Kids Will Love Puffy Paint:

• Sensory Fun: The thick, squeezable paint and the surprise of it puffing up offer a unique sensory experience.

• Creative Expression: Kids can freely express their ideas and create anything they can imagine.

• Instant Gratification: The microwave magic happens quickly, so kids don't have to wait long to see their puffy creations!

• Messy Play (Controlled!): It's a fun way to get a little messy without too much cleanup.

Materials You'll Need:

• 1/2 cup flour

• 2 tsp. salt

• 2 tsp. baking powder

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 1/2 cup water

• Food coloring

• Sandwich baggy (or small jar/plastic container for storage)

• Cardboard or very thick paper

• Microwave

How to Make and Use Your Puffy Paint:

Step 1: Mix Your Puffy Paint Base

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually add the water, mixing until you achieve a thick paste consistency. Think pancake batter, but a little thicker. If your mixture is too watery, simply add a bit more flour to thicken it up.

Step 2: Add Color!

Now for the fun part: adding color! You can add food coloring directly to the whole batch if you want one color. If you want to make multiple colors, separate your paint mixture into different bowls before adding the food coloring to each one. Mix well until the color is vibrant and even.

Step 3: Prepare Your Puffy Paint Squeeze Bag

Carefully pour your colored paint into a resealable sandwich bag. Seal the bag, pressing out as much air as possible. Using a pair of scissors, snip a small corner off the bag. This will be your "nozzle" for squeezing out the paint.

Tip for Storing Puffy Paint: Once you've cut the corner of the bag, the paint won't keep very well. If you want to store leftover paint for another day, transfer it to a small jar or plastic container with a lid. When you're ready to use it again, just spoon it into a new sandwich bag and snip the corner.

Step 4: Get Painting!

Squeeze the bag to create your designs on a piece of cardboard or very thick paper. Regular paper might get too soggy and warp. Let your imagination run wild! Draw pictures, create abstract designs, or practice writing letters.

Step 5: Microwave Magic!

Once your puffy paint masterpiece is complete, carefully place it in the microwave. Heat it for approximately 20 seconds. Watch closely as the paint magically expands and hardens into cool, puffy lines! If your paint doesn't puff up enough, simply reheat it for a few more seconds.

Have fun with this awesome kids' craft!

Looking for more fun activities to beat boredom? Check out our Boredom Busters Activities Guide for tons of easy indoor craft ideas for kids!