Art Fun in the Kitchen!
Cooking, baking, and assembling food with your kids can be so fun, but of course, such a skill-building opportunity, too! Measuring, stirring, problem-solving, fine motor work…it all counts. And we know that kids are more likely to try new foods when they help make them!
That said—yes, involving kids in the kitchen can be messy and definitely a bit more work. So pick your moments! Choose the times when you have the patience and energy to embrace the process (and the cleanup). When you're ready, the payoff is absolutely worth it.
One night, I asked my 5-year-old if she’d like to make the fruit salad. I told her she could choose which fruits to include, how much to use, and whether they’d be whole or sliced. I gave her a kid-safe knife and a big bowl, and she was completely invested—she even artfully arranged everything and gave it a name! She was beyond proud! It was agency, confidence and artistry in one bowl!
You can also make DIY art supplies in the kitchen! Here are a few easy ones you can make together:
Homemade Playdough
Last time we shared a no-cook playdough recipe using boiling water—quick & easy! But we’ve since discovered that the stovetop method makes playdough that's even softer, stretchier, and longer-lasting.You’ll need a generous amount of salt and some Cream of Tartar, but it’s worth it!
Recipe:
1 cup flour
1/3 cup salt
1 Tbsp oil
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup water
food coloring (optional)
Put everything into a pot on the stove and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture is smooth and firm, about 4-5 minutes. Remove pan from the heat and let the dough cool until comfortable to handle. Knead the dough well. Divide into ziploc bags and add food coloring to each bag (optional). Store in ziploc bag or closed container indefinitely!
Puffy Paint
We tried this at the studio yesterday and were blown away! It’s SO simple to make and dries to a raised, glittery finish. Note - you’ll need squeeze bottles, like empty condiment bottles, for this one!
Recipe:
1 cup flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
food coloring (or tempera paint)
Mix together thoroughly, then divide into separate bowls. Add food coloring to create fun shades—we like pink, yellow, and blue! Pour into squeeze bottles, and you're ready to paint.
Puffy paint works best on cereal box cardboard, regular cardboard or watercolor paper—a sturdy surface that won’t buckle under the weight of the paint.
Dyed Rice or Pasta (Sensory Play)
Create super colorful and tactile materials for scooping, pouring, using with playdough or gluing in art collages.
In a ziploc bag, mix dry rice or pasta shapes with food coloring and a little vinegar or hand sanitizer, spread it on a tray, and let it dry overnight—giving it a stir now and then.
Edible Paint
The classic! Mix food coloring into yogurt, icing, or whipped cream, and let them paint with it, on paper, on food or on a tray! Add sprinkles and colorful silicone cupcake liners for a colorful art setup.
I hope you enjoy getting a little messy and making some magic in the kitchen with your kids!