Puffy Paint
Ingredients:
- Washable Tempera Paint
- Shaving Cream
- White Glue
Directions:
- Fill a small container with shaving cream.
- Drizzle washable paint across the top.
- Add a nickel-size drop of glue.
- Stir the mixture gently.
Tips and Tricks:
- The paint will dry puffy if you dab the paint onto the paper rather than brushing it.
- You can also add a drop of scented oil (ex. peppermint oil) to the mixture to give the paint a pleasant smell.
The process of making and exploring Puffy Paint provides wonderful opportunities for tapping into children’s natural curiosity while enhancing their sense of wonder.
Five ways to support a child’s sense of wonder:
ONE – Before mixing the ingredients, allow time to explore the glue and shaving cream separately. Talk about what they feel like and what might happen when they are mixed together.
TWO – When mixing, practice measuring and following directions. If you have extra supplies encourage the child to test out what happens if they alter the measurements. Does more glue make it stickier? Will more shaving cream make it puffier?
THREE – Test out different methods of painting. How does the paint look if you smear it on with your finger, dab it on with a paintbrush, or squeeze it out of a small bottle? Encourage children to share descriptive words as they share their observations.
FOUR – Have the child estimate how long it will take the paint to dry. What will it feel like? Observe and discuss what happens over time as the paint dries. Did you experience any surprise?
FIVE – Explore what happens if you add different ingredients such as glitter or scented oils. Discovering new ways to explore Puffy Paint supports expanding artistic expression while stimulating creativity.
A child views her world through the eyes of wonderment and curiosity. As she engages in new experiences, it’s this sense of wonder that leads her through the process of learning. It’s important for adults to help keep this sense of wonder present and alive as children grow and develop. Always encourage children to ask questions, test ideas, try new things and share their discoveries along the way. Loris Malaguzzi, a pioneer in the field of education and founder of Reggio Emilia’s educational philosophy, wisely said: “The wider the range of possibilities we offer children, the more intense will be their motivations and the richer their experiences.”