We have had a lot of fun playing with and learning about marshmallows in the past. Lately the girls have discovered marshmallow fluff, and it’s inspired a whole new series of investigations. One day we decided to see if we could use it to make our own paint recipe, and wow was it fun!
We made this super gooey, edible paint with only 2 ingredients. It is safe for kids of all ages, so even babies and toddlers can enjoy this one alongside older siblings. Because it is so sticky, we do recommend using a paint brush or some sort of painting tool. It wouldn’t necessarily make a great finger paint option unless your child loves to be sticky and you plan on an immediate bath afterward.
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The recipe itself is super easy. Simply combine marshmallow fluff or marshmallow creme with a few drops of your preferred food coloring and stir. We used neon colors to make these bright and beautiful purple, blue, green, and pink paint colors.
Here you’ll have to decide whether you want the kids to know the paint is edible or not. We made the paint together so the kids were very eager to try it from the very beginning. If you think your kids will be too distracted by the taste factor, then maybe you could prepare the paint recipe beforehand. Then surprise them at the end of painting and tell them they can taste it. Just a thought!
Then grab some paper and get painting. The more paint the kids put on the paint brush, the more “puffy” the paint will be on your paper. The girls really liked how the consistency of the paint kept the colors from mixing completely together. They could layer colors on top of each other and see them gently swirl together while still showing the original colors.
Lovey, age 5, created a rainbow with thumbprint “raindrops.”
Tinker, age 3, preferred a more abstract creation that allowed her to explore the texture and consistency of the paint.
I should note that this paint doesn’t really dry completely. We left our creations out for a a few days and touched them every now and then. The girls discovered that they could make a fingerprint in the paint and then after a bit the paint would settle again and reshape without showing the fingerprint anymore. They thought it was so cool!
More Marshmallow Activities on Fantastic Fun and Learning
Exploring Marshmallows with the Five Senses
Marshmallow Science Experiment
Marshmallow Sensory Play
Marshmallow Science Experiment-Color Change
M is for Marshmallow Letter Recognition Activities
Natasha
This is a sweet treat paint. My kids love sweet treat paints. Great share at Link & Learn
Christa Brown
What a great recipe! Marshmallows and painting? What kid wouldn’t love that! How fun! Thanks for the great ideas, Shaunna!
Shaunna Evans
Thanks so much, Christa!
jeanine
This look just gorgeous!! Just wondering if you have any suggestions re: drying? Lastin how long? Anything as far as drying goes? Thank you so much pinned and Plus’d
Shaunna Evans
Thanks, Jeanine! I’m not sure that it will dry. We live in a very humid area, so it definitely wasn’t drying after about a week out here. It is however firm enough to hang up. It doesn’t ooze or anything. I don’t think it’s something you’d be able to keep long-term though. It would stick to any other papers or items placed on top of it. It’s more for a fun process-based activity and exploration of textures.
Kellie
This looks like loads of fun especially because the littler ones can play with their older siblings – always looking for these crafts, so thank you!
Taunna
I was wondering if this got moldy at all and if you need to keep extra paint in the refrigerator?
Shaunna Evans
No, ours did not get moldy at all during the time we had it. We did not keep our paint but my guess is that you could just place it in an airtight container. In general the marshmallow fluff does not need to be refrigerated after opening.
Tiffany H.
What a fun idea! My preschooler actually just has her first marshmallow a couple weeks ago, courtesy of her bff. ๐ She’d get a kick out of painting with marshmallow creme.