69+ Cute DIY Edible Painting for Babies

Yogurt Rainbow Painting

Yogurt makes a smooth, easy-to-spread base for baby-safe painting.

Materials:

• Plain yogurt
• Natural food coloring or fruit/vegetable purees
• Paintbrushes or fingers
• Paper or a highchair tray

Steps:

1. Divide the yogurt into small bowls.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring or fruit/vegetable purees to each bowl. Stir well.
3. Let your baby use fingers or a brush to create colorful art.
4. Once done, wipe clean or let the artwork dry for a short-lived masterpiece!

Mashed Banana Finger Paint

Banana has a natural smooth texture, making it a great first paint for babies.

Materials:

• 1 ripe banana
• A little water (optional)
• A plate or highchair tray

Steps:

1. Mash the banana in a bowl until smooth. Add a tiny bit of water if too thick.
2. Let your baby spread and smear it on paper or a tray.
3. Encourage finger movements to create shapes and patterns.

Pudding Paint Fun

Pudding-based paint is delicious and colorful!

Materials:

• Vanilla pudding
• Natural food coloring
• Spoon for mixing
• Paper or highchair tray

Steps:

1. Separate pudding into bowls.
2. Add different food coloring to each and mix well.
3. Allow your baby to use fingers or a spoon to paint.
4. Let it dry or simply enjoy the messy fun.

Sweet Potato Sensory Art

A thick, natural paint that doubles as a snack!

Materials:

• Cooked, mashed sweet potato
• A bit of water for thinning (if needed)
• A spoon or fingers for painting
• Paper or a tray

Steps:

1. Mash the sweet potato until smooth.
2. Add a little water if you want a thinner consistency.
3. Let your baby explore the texture while painting.
4. Wipe clean when done.

Colored Applesauce Paint

A fun way to introduce textures and colors!

Materials:

• Plain applesauce
• Natural food coloring
• Small bowls and spoons
• Paper or tray

Steps:

1. Divide applesauce into bowls.
2. Add food coloring to create different colors.
3. Let your baby dip fingers or a brush into the paint.
4. Allow them to spread, mix, and create colorful designs.

Oatmeal Texture Painting

A thick, chunky paint for added sensory fun!

 

Materials:

• Cooked oatmeal
• Food coloring
• Spoon or fingers for painting
• Paper or tray

Steps:

1. Cook oatmeal and let it cool.
2. Add food coloring for variety.
3. Encourage your baby to use hands or spoons to paint with the textured mix.

Beetroot Juice Watercolor

A natural, vibrant pink paint from beets.

Materials:

• Beetroot juice
• Water
• Paintbrush or cotton ball
• Paper

Steps:

1. Extract juice from a beetroot by blending and straining.
2. Mix with a little water for a thinner consistency.
3. Allow your baby to use a brush or cotton ball to create art.

Coconut Milk Color Swirls

Smooth and tropical-smelling paint.

Materials:

• Coconut milk
• Food coloring
• Paintbrush or fingers
• Paper

Steps:

1. Pour coconut milk into small bowls.
2. Mix in food coloring.
3. Let your baby swirl colors together on paper.

Peanut Butter Paint (for Non-Allergic Babies)

A tasty, nutty paint option.

Materials:

• Smooth peanut butter
• Honey (optional)
• Paper or tray

Steps:

1. Spread peanut butter onto paper or a tray.
2. Let your baby use fingers or tools to create patterns.

Carrot Puree Finger Paint

Bright orange, vitamin-rich paint!

Materials:

• Cooked, blended carrot puree
• A little water if needed
• Paper or tray

Steps:

1. Blend carrots into a smooth puree.
2. Adjust consistency with water.
3. Let your baby explore painting with fingers.

Cornstarch Paint

A thick, gel-like paint perfect for finger play.

Materials:

• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 cup water
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Heat water and cornstarch until thickened.
2. Divide and mix with food coloring.
3. Let baby create art on paper.

Chia Seed Paint

A fun, jelly-like paint!

Materials:

• Chia seeds
• Water
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Soak chia seeds in water overnight.
2. Add food coloring.
3. Let your baby spread the gel-like paint.

Spinach Green Paint

A natural leafy green paint!

Materials:

• Blended spinach
• A little water
• Paper

Steps:

1. Blend spinach until smooth.
2. Let baby use hands or a brush to create artwork.

Pumpkin Paint

Perfect for fall-themed fun!

Materials:

• Canned or fresh pumpkin puree
• Water (if needed)

Steps:

1. Spread puree on paper or a tray.
2. Let baby create fun shapes.

Ice Cube Paint

A cooling summer activity!

Materials:

• Fruit juice
• Ice cube tray
• Popsicle sticks

Steps:

1. Freeze fruit juice in an ice cube tray with sticks.
2. Let baby paint as cubes melt.

Whipped Cream Paint

Fluffy and fun!

Materials:

• Whipped cream
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Divide whipped cream into bowls and add coloring.
2. Let baby swirl colors together.

Blueberry Smash Paint

A deep purple edible paint!

Materials:

• Mashed blueberries

Steps:

1. Mash blueberries until juicy.
2. Let baby spread and explore the color.

Watermelon Juice Paint

Light and refreshing!

Materials:

• Watermelon juice

Steps:

1. Blend and strain watermelon.
2. Let baby dip and paint.

Avocado Paint

A creamy, green paint!

Materials:

• Mashed avocado

Steps:

1. Mash avocado.
2. Let baby spread and enjoy the texture.

Raspberry Puree Paint

A pink, tart paint!

Materials:

• Mashed raspberries

Steps:

1. Mash raspberries.
2. Let baby use fingers to paint.

Rice Cereal Paint

Perfect for babies just starting solids!

Materials:

• Baby rice cereal
• Water or breast milk/formula
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Mix rice cereal with liquid until smooth.
2. Divide into bowls and add food coloring.
3. Let baby paint on paper or a highchair tray.

Greek Yogurt Marble Painting

A thicker version of yogurt painting with a fun swirl effect.

Materials:

• Greek yogurt
• Food coloring
• A toothpick or spoon

Steps:

1. Spread Greek yogurt onto a tray or paper.
2. Add drops of food coloring.
3. Swirl colors together using a spoon or fingers.

Honey Paint (For Babies Over One Year)

A sweet, sticky paint option!

Materials:

• Honey
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Mix honey with food coloring.
2. Let your baby spread it on paper and create designs.

Strawberry Paint

A fruity red option for a delicious painting experience.

Materials:

• Mashed strawberries

Steps:

1. Mash strawberries until smooth.
2. Let baby dip fingers and paint.

Mango Puree Painting

Bright yellow and tropical-scented!

Materials:

• Blended mango

Steps:

1. Blend mango until smooth.
2. Let baby explore the bright color with hands.

Gelatin Jiggle Paint

A wobbly, sensory-rich paint!

Materials:

• Unflavored gelatin
• Water
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Prepare gelatin according to package instructions.
2. Once set, mash it up with food coloring.
3. Let baby paint with the jelly-like texture.

Tomato Puree Paint

A naturally red, slightly tangy paint!

Materials:

• Tomato puree

Steps:

1. Spread puree onto paper or tray.
2. Let baby create fun patterns.

Pear Puree Paint

A smooth, mild paint option for sensitive babies.

Materials:

• Blended pear

Steps:

1. Blend pear until smooth.
2. Let baby use fingers or a brush to paint.

Coconut Flour Paint

A textured, grainy paint option.

Materials:

• Coconut flour
• Water
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Mix coconut flour with water until paste-like.
2. Add food coloring and mix well.
3. Let baby paint with fingers for a sensory experience.

Edible Chalk Paint

A thicker paint that can be used on sidewalks or paper.

Materials:

• Cornstarch
• Water
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Mix cornstarch with enough water to create a paint-like consistency.
2. Add food coloring for different shades.
3. Let baby “paint” outside or on a tray!

Safety Precautions & Allergy Considerations for Babies

Ensuring a baby’s safety during mealtime is essential to their health and well-being. From potential allergens to choking hazards, parents and caregivers must take necessary precautions to create a safe feeding environment. Below are key safety measures to follow:

1. Avoiding Ingredients That May Cause Allergic Reactions

• Introduce new foods one at a time and wait at least 3–5 days before adding another to monitor for reactions.
• Common allergens include dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish—be cautious when introducing these.
• Look for signs of an allergic reaction, such as rashes, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing, and seek medical attention if needed.

2. Checking for Choking Hazards

• Cut food into small, age-appropriate pieces to prevent choking.
• Avoid hard, round, or sticky foods like whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, hot dogs, and large chunks of raw vegetables.
• Offer soft, well-cooked foods and ensure the baby is seated upright while eating.

Clean-Up Tips & Storing Baby’s Edible Art

Edible painting is a fun and creative activity for babies, but the mess can sometimes be overwhelming! Here are some easy ways to clean up afterward and tips on how to store or display your little one’s masterpiece.

Easy Ways to Clean Up After Edible Painting

✔ Use a Mess Mat or Tray – Place a plastic tablecloth, silicone baking mat, or an old sheet under your baby’s painting area to catch spills.

✔ Dress for Mess – Use a bib, smock, or let your baby paint in just a diaper to minimize stained clothes.

✔ Keep Wet Wipes Handy – Wipe hands, face, and surfaces quickly before the paint dries.

✔ Wash While Wet – Edible paints can get sticky when dry, so rinse brushes, bowls, and high-chair trays immediately after painting.

✔ Use a Damp Cloth for Surfaces – A warm, damp cloth helps wipe off any edible paint from tables, floors, or even walls.

✔ Bathe Right After – If your baby gets extra messy, a quick bath will help remove any lingering colors.

FAQ

What is edible paint for babies?

Edible paint is a safe, non-toxic paint made from food ingredients, allowing babies to explore colors and textures through sensory play without the risk of harm if they put it in their mouths.

Is edible paint safe for all babies?

Yes, as long as you use baby-safe, food-grade ingredients. However, always check for potential allergens before introducing any new ingredients to your baby.

What ingredients can I use to make edible paint?

Common ingredients include yogurt, cornstarch, flour, baby cereal, fruit or vegetable purees, and natural food coloring.

How do I make DIY edible paint?

You can mix equal parts of cornstarch and water, then add food coloring or fruit/vegetable puree. For a creamier texture, use yogurt or baby cereal instead of cornstarch.