On the Go Finger Painting

For the fun of finger painting without the mess, simply squirt some paint in a sturdy Ziploc bag and seal it tight. Lay it on a flat surface and let your kids draw pictures in the paint through the bag. You just need to make sure your kids are either too young to open the bag or old enough to know not to do it!

Water Painting

This is simply a variation on Abby's previous post about the spray bottles. Sydney doesn't know how to use one yet, so I gave her some paint brushes and a bucket of water and let her go to town on the patio, the rocks, the ants, etc. while I get some yard work done. She loves it, there is absolutely no mess to clean up since the water just evaporates, and I get to hear her running around yelling, "I paintin'!"

Homemade Play Dough

Here is a recipe for homemade playdough. If your "wee" ones are anything like mine, this is great because it's edible. I don't encourage her to eat it, I just know she will.

Ingredients:
1 c. flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 c. salt
1 Tbl vegetable oil
1 c. water

Directions:
Combine ingredients in saucepan and mix well. Stir over low heat for about 5 mintes. When mixture forms a ball, remove from heat. Turn onto cookie sheet and cool. When cool enough to handle, add food coloring and knead until smooth. Store in airtight plastic container.

Notes:
I have not tried this recipe personally, so if anyone finds a problem with it or has a good trusted one (I know some get really liquidy quickly), let me know!