The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · October 2013
Ages3–6 yrs
Prep20 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessMedium
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class
Mix unflavored gelatin with hot water, orange food color and pumpkin pie spice to make a runny, strongly scented paint. Kids use it to paint pumpkin drawings or paper-plate jack-o-lanterns.
⚠️ Safety first
- Adult handles the near-boiling water and mixes the paint. Let it cool until just warm, and check it before handing it to kids.
- It smells 'yummy', but it is paint, not food. Don't let kids drink or eat it, and supervise at all times.
- Pumpkin pie spice can sting eyes. Remind kids to keep painty hands away from their faces, and wash hands after.
- Food color can stain hands, clothes and surfaces. Cover the table.
- Glass jars can break. Use plastic cups for younger kids or a big group.
Before the kids arrive
- Draw a big pumpkin outline on heavy construction paper for each child who wants one.
Steps
Adult: empty 6 envelopes of unflavored gelatin into a heat-safe bowl.
Adult: pour in near-boiling water, about 1/2 cup per envelope (we ended up with 4 cups), and stir until the gelatin dissolves.
Add pumpkin pie spice until the fragrance is as strong as you like.
Add a few drops of orange food color and mix well.
Adult: pour the paint into jars and check that it's only warm before handing it out. Use it right away so it doesn't set.
Paint inside the pumpkin outline with the runny paint.
Or paint free form and explore the texture of the paint.
Paint paper plates orange to make jack-o-lanterns.
Spread the paint evenly for a smooth, speckled finish.
Tips
- This paint can be made as thick or as thin as you and your children prefer. Ours was runny, and it was fun to spread it around.from the author
- It does get thicker as time goes by. After all, it has gelatin in it! Make the paint and use it immediately, because you don't want it to set.from the author
- Use heavy construction paper, since the paint is a bit thicker than regular paint.from the author
- Add the spice until the fragrance is pretty strong. The kids were very excited to try out this 'yummy' paint.from the author
- My 5 year old had me draw a pumpkin to paint, while my 3 year old chose to paint free form.from the author
Make it your own
- Paint paper plates to make jack-o-lanterns.
- Use less water for a thicker paint, or more for a runnier one.
- Skip the outline and paint free form to explore the texture.
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