Homemade watercolor paints

Make these long lasting watercolors for your kiddos with common household ingredients.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Drying time 1

8 tbsp baking soda
4 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp light corn syrup or simple syrup For simple syrup, mix two parts sugar and one part water. Heat until sugar is melted and mixture is thickened.
4 tbsp cornstarch
food coloring in desired colors gel works better, but you can use liquid

Combine baking soda and vinegar in a medium bowl or measuring cup. Be sure it's big enough to contain the fizzing.
Add cornstarch and corn syrup or simple syrup. Mix well.
Pour into the sections of your muffin tin or ice cube tray. I used a 24 count mini muffin tin and half filled 15 sections. The empty sections are great for holding water while painting.
Add food coloring a little at a time and stir until you get the desired color.
Allow to dry for about a day. You could also put it in the oven on the lowest setting (my oven's lowest is 150 degrees) for about 20 to 30 minutes to speed up the process, but the paints may get a little bubbly. Watch it closely if you choose to bake it dry.
To use, wet a paintbrush and swirl over the paints.