Want to know how to make homemade puffy paint? It is easy to make yourself or better yet show your kiddos how to mix up this super simple DIY puffy paint recipe. Kids will love the texture of this puffy paint with shaving cream, and this recipe makes for a fantastic and sensory-rich art experience for kids of all ages. We love easy art projects for kids!
Puffy paint is a light and textured homemade paint that kids are sure to love! Only a few simple ingredients, shaving cream and glue, are needed to make puffy paint.
Get creative with homemade shaving cream paint the kids will love to mix up with you. From a glow in the dark moon to shivery snow puffy paint, we have lots of fun puffy paint ideas.
Find out how to make your own puffy paint below with our easy puffy paint recipe. Let’s get started!
TIP: Have extra shaving cream left? You have to make our amazing fluffy slime recipe!
Puffy Paint Recipe
Supplies:
- 1 cup glue
- 1 to 2 cups shaving cream (not gel), depending on how fluffy you want the paint
- Food coloring (for color), optional
- Essential oils (for fragrance), optional
- Glitter (for sparkle), optional
- Construction paper or cardstock
Instructions:
STEP 1. In a large bowl, whisk together glue and shaving cream until combined.
STEP 2. If desired, add food coloring, essential oil, or glitter and stir to distribute.
Tip: If you want to make a few different colors, put some puffy paint in small containers and then add a few drops of food coloring and mix with a small spoon or Popsicle stick.
STEP 3. Your homemade puffy paint is now ready to use.
Painting with homemade puffy paint is a fun project for kids as young as toddler age and all the way up to teens. Do note though puffy paint is NOT edible! Our homemade finger paint is a good alternative for toddlers!
TIP: Sponge brushes are a good alternative to regular paintbrushes for this project. Get kids to paint with paint brushes, sponges, or cotton swabs. If you want, once your page is painted sprinkle the puffy paint with additional glitter and allow to dry.
Tips & Tricks For Using Puffy Paint
Here’s When You Need To Make A Fresh Batch
Homemade puffy paint will last for about 5 days. After that the shaving foam will lose its puffiness and the texture of your mixture will change.
Store Leftover Puffy Paint In Small Containers
One way to store your leftover puffy paint is in small plastic containers with lids, like what we use for storing homemade slime. Or you can even store your puffy paint in ziplock bags. Add tape if you are concerned that the kids will squeeze them open.
You Can Wash Puffy Paint Off Clothes
Get puffy paint on clothes? No worries, homemade puffy paint will wash off clothes easily with water!
Use Less Paint If You Want It To Dry Quicker
A thin layer of puffy paint generally takes about 4 hours to dry. If the paint is thicker, it will take 24 to 36 hours to dry.
Fun Things You Can Do With Puffy Paint
Glow In The Dark Moon
Add one extra ingredient to your puffy paint and make your own glow in the dark moon craft.
Shivery Snow Paint
Leave out the food coloring to create a winter wonderland with snow puffy paint that’s not cold at all.
Outdoor Puffy Paint
Make puffy paint you can use outdoors as the weather gets nicer! Our sidewalk paint recipe uses flour instead of glue for easy clean up.
Rainbow Puffy Paint
Make puffy paint in the colors of the rainbow. Free printable rainbow template included!
More Homemade Paint Recipe Ideas
Want to make more homemade paint? Check out some the easy ways you can make paint for kids.
Helpful Art Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources that will help you introduce art more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
Printable Famous Artist Bundle
You’ll find each of our famous artists featured in our Famous Artists Project Pack 👇 including tons of fantastic resources!
This bundle includes a variety of art packs to cover different areas of the art experience! Perfect for ages 5-12, with various activities to suit all age levels. Easy to use in the home or classroom.
PACKS INCLUDE:
- Famous Artists Project Pack with 25+ artists to explore past and present, including women, people of color, and indigenous peoples.
- Artists Challenge Pack: Various extra art projects, including a museum scavenger hunt and extras.
- 7 Elements of Art Pack: Learn about and explore the 7 elements of art with handy information, tips, and fun projects to try.
- Art and Playdough Pack: Make homemade playdough and use these art mats with kids of all ages featuring famous artists with simple information.
- Art Techniques Pack: Learn watercolor, collage, and printmaking techniques for your art projects. Complete with information, tips, and activities to try!
