1/2 cup cornstarch
3 Tblsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups cold water
food coloring or powdered tempera paints
dish detergent

In a medium saucepan, mix sugar, salt and cornstarch. Slowly add water and stir.
Cook over low heat, about minutes. Keep stirring the finger paint mixture until it is smooth and thick. After the finger paint has thickened, take the pan off the stove and let the mixture cool.
When it’s cool, divide the finger paint into four kid friendly containers.
Add a few drops of food coloring to each container. Stir the coloring into the paint until you have the shade you’d like. Add a drop of dish soap to each container and stir.

You're ready to finger paint! Cover tightly when storing or make some more tomorrow!

Notes:
- Add 1 tblsp. of glycerin to make paints shiny. You can find glycerin in most drugstores or pharmacies.
- Great activity for a basement table or picnic table in the back yard!
- Do wear old clothes.
- Glossy freezer paper works really great for this art project.

June 17, 2008