Ingredients
- 4 sheets of 9 inch by 12 inch watercolor paper, 90-pound weight or heavier
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 6 small cups, each holding 2 fluid ounces
- 6 liquid food color colors, about 10 drops of each color
- 6 small spoons, 1 teaspoon size
- 2 medicine droppers or plastic pipettes, 3 milliliters each (optional)
- 1 small measuring cup, 1/4 cup size
- 1 shallow baking tray, about 9 inches by 13 inches
- 1 plastic tablecloth or reusable drop cloth, at least 3 feet by 4 feet
- 4 sheets of scrap paper, 8.5 inches by 11 inches
- 1 roll of paper towels
- 4 pairs of child-safe washable art smocks or old shirts (optional)
- 1 roll of painter's tape, 1 inch wide
- 1 pair of adult scissors, 8 inches long (optional)
Instructions
- Cover the table with the plastic drop cloth before you measure anything.
- Place the shallow baking tray on the covered table, then put one sheet of watercolor paper inside it.
- Secure each corner of the paper with a small piece of painter's tape to prevent it from moving.
- Measure 1 cup of baking soda and divide it among the four paintings as evenly as you can, using about 1/4 cup per sheet.
- Spread the baking soda over the first sheet to create a thin, snowy layer.
- Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the small measuring cup and divide it among the six small cups, adding about 10 drops of one liquid food color to each cup.
- Test one drop of each color on a scrap sheet to see which colors look bright together.
- Show your child how to load the dropper by squeezing the bulb before placing it in the colored vinegar, then releasing and squeezing over the baking soda.
- Begin with two or three colors, leaving some of the powder untouched.
- Add the remaining colors in spots or lines, avoiding excessive coverage to keep the colors vibrant.
- Pause when the first painting looks finished and observe the mixing colors.
- Make the remaining three paintings, using the same amount of baking soda and leftover colored vinegar.
- Move the tray to a safe place to let the paintings dry for 2 to 4 hours.
- Peel off the tape slowly once the paper dries and clean the baking tray with a damp cloth.
Notes
Be cautious with younger children around vinegar and food color. Clean up immediately after the activity to avoid residue hardening.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
