Children love painting, especially on the smooth surfaces found in a bathroom. With this in mind I present to you a fabulous recipe for bath paints using only 2 ingredients.
It’s quite amazing to me that I’ve not yet shared an activity that is for the bath! Well the time has come for me to change that and provide you with a fabulous, super simple recipe to make bath paints using just 2 ingredients. This is not my original idea and has been done by many bloggers over the years. Two blogs who have done this recipe before and who I would highly recommend are Happy Hooligans and Paging Fun Mums.
Supplies needed to make bath paints using 2 ingredients
- 1 cup shaving cream (per colour)
- 3 – 6 drops of food colouring
- Cups
- Paint brush (optional)
Simply squirt out 1 cup of shaving cream, add a few drops of food colouring and mix well.
That is honestly all you’ll need to do to make these bath paints. It’s so simple and you could even get the kids involved in the making process. Of course, I also recommend you maintain supervision and safety by ensure your child in on a grip mat and aware that this recipe is not edible.
The recipe took me about 5 minutes to whip up and have ready. I chose to create a variety of colours and prepare them in individual cups, however, a muffin tray would work just as well.
Painting, creating and learning
I can’t tell you the excitement Possum felt as she saw these amazing paints. She was really wanting to put her whole hand into each cup and play! But before we did, I talked to her about the colours that were presented to her and tested out her knowledge a little to see if she could correctly identify them.
It didn’t take her very long to get painting. It was wonderful to hear her making up painting songs and experiment with different brush strokes and mixing of colours.
Of course it wasn’t long before the paint brush was discarded and the finger painting began. Soon the colours slowly started to mix together as Possum plunged her little hand into each of the containers of bath paints. The paint pots themselves became like gorgeous pieces of art. The whole experience was so positive and provided such a window for creative expression and to learn more about colours.
This really is an activity you really must try!
Do you think your child would like to paint with bath paints?
Here are some more ideas you might like –
Ebooks available featuring Laughing Kids Learn
I actually did this for the first time with my twins today and they LOVED it! I totally agree it is a must-try 🙂 Best of all I gave them little watering cans once they were done painting and they did most of the clean-up for me!
Oh Lisa that is absolutely BRILLIANT! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. I loved reading about your idea with the watering cans. Sensational. 🙂
I’m wondering if whip cream would work too. Think Ill try it soon. Thanks for the idea.
To be honest, I don’t think whip cream would work. Doesn’t hurt to try these things though. You might have invented something even better! 🙂
After reading this we used the idea in my preschool class using the shaving cream. We also used whip cream for my sister who is a year old. The whip cream we used is from a container instead of a can. But by making it using whip cream for her we didn’t have to worry as much about her getting sick from eating it.
Michael that is brilliant! Thanks soooo much for sharing your experience. You’ve inspired us to do this activity again and maybe with your whip cream idea! So awesome. Thanks again. 🙂
I used to mix whipped cream and cocoa together for kids at day care they loved it and it was like chocolate whipped cream lol
Oh that would be absolutely delicious Cheyenne! Thanks for the idea.
A fab idea I used it to get my four year old to trace the letters of the alphabet
I happened upon your site by chance and have come across some very interesting activities. Whilst i do not work with children, I am sure it will bring out the child in us. I work in aged care and also have a dementia specific day with my clients. I will be doing sensory activities this week and will most certainly be including some of these ideas.
Thanks
Sharen
Hi Sharen,
You have absolutely made my day. I am so thrilled that you can see some value in my ideas for your clients. I’m currently writing another sensory activity, which is edible, that might interest you so please be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss seeing it. What a treasure you are to those who suffer dementia. Best wishes to you and those you care for.
Kate
Hi! What a beautiful idea!! Do the paints wash off easily? We are in a rental home and need to be extra careful!!
Great question. You do not need very much colouring at all so I would just add a drop or two and avoid grout. 🙂
I would suggest using only a drop of colouring, that’s all that you need. I would also avoid painting over grout type areas. 🙂
I used this with my two year old great-granddaughter on my kitchen peninsula. Yes, I used food coloring but I knew it wouldn’t hurt anything. I’ve made many cakes, cookies and other things using food color and never had a problem. I took everything off the counter and let her go at it. I took everything off except her diapers and of course she had a ball painting herself. It hard to say who enjoyed it more – her doing it or Mimi watching her.
Thank you so much Karen. I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that you have both had so much fun. 🙂
We used this outside and I was a little worried about staining clothes, so I replaced the food coloring with washable finger paint. You need more of it to get good color, but it made for super easy cleanup. My little one loved it!
That’s an awesome idea Justin! Thanks for sharing that with me. Glad your little one loved it. 🙂
Great idea. I like the outside the box thinking and will so have to try this with my little artist. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! 🙂
What fabulous ideas my two year old great grandson doesnt like bathtime so this would be great to try .especially with the watering can.thank for the recipe
You’re so welcome Raewynn.
Lovely to read your comment and I hope it is helpful.
I have my grandson visiting this summer. I have a new fiberglass tub and shower……wondering if the color will stain the fiberglass forever????
Hi Dennis,
I have not tested this on fiberglass myself so I can’t give you a clear answer based on experience. If I were you and felt concerned I would just not colour it. Instead, consider getting your grandson to use a paint brush and ‘paint’ with the shaving cream on the glass shower screen instead. He will still have a fabulous time. 🙂
Hope that’s helpful.
Kind regards,
Kate