God gives us things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17) is a familiar Bible verse when a teacher thinks about art activities. Painting is one of the favorite art activities in a preschool classroom. Consider using the recipe to make watercolors as a substitute for the store-bought watercolors. Share the recipe with parents to make at home. The watercolors can be used at an easel or at a table. Use large pieces of paper to allow a child to have room to paint and enjoy being creative.
Supplies for Watercolors:
- underlined items in recipe below
- clear plastic cups
- muffin pan
- watercolor brushes
- paper
Watercolors Recipe
- 3 tablespoons baking soda
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup food color (several different colors)
Mix all ingredients except food colors together. Divide the mixture into clear plastic cups. Add 6 to 8 drops of food color to each cup and mix with a watercolor brush. (See illustration.)
Bonus Idea: After using the liquid watercolors, pour each color into a section of a muffin pan to allow the colors to harden. The muffin pan can be used as a watercolor tray. The hardened watercolors can also be stored in an airtight container to use at another time with brushes and cups of water.
Teaching Tips:
- Plan to involve children in making the watercolors. Encourage children to suggest colors to make. Try using several drops of different colors to create various shades of color.
- As a child uses the watercolors, a teacher can talk to him about his favorite color. Guide a child to name things God made that match the color.
- Sing new words to the tune “God Is So Good”: God made red flowers; God made red flowers; God made red flowers; Sam can paint red flowers.
