Homemade edible fingerpaint

It couldn’t be easier to make these colourful, safe-to-eat fingerpaints, which are perfect for an artsy afternoon indoors. You can even modify them with other natural flavourings. 

Painting a rainbow with edible fingerpaint

Who is this for?

This is a crafting activity for people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities.

Why does this make a difference?

This is a creative and sensory activity that helps people use their senses to connect with their surroundings, exploring touch and tastes while supporting independent choice and self-expression through creativity.

How to do this activity

What you’ll need

  • A can of condensed milk
  • A selection of food colouring
  • Small bowls
  • Spoons
  • Paper
  • Paintbrushes (optional).
Three jars, a tin of condensed milk, a teaspoon and paint

Step 1

Divide the condensed milk between several bowls. You’ll need one for each colour.
Three pots of finger paint being made, one is red and the other two are still pale with drops of paint in them

Step 2

Add a few drops of food colouring to each bowl of condensed milk and stir in using the spoon. You might want to use more or less food colouring to get the colour you want.
Three pots of paint in green, blue and red

Step 3

Set up a space to make art and get messy! Lay out some sheets of paper and the bowls of fingerpaint.
A hand is doing some finger painting using red, blue and green paints

Step 4

Start fingerpainting! Encourage exploring the different colours, and use a brush if you like.

Step 1

Divide the condensed milk between several bowls. You’ll need one for each colour. 

Step 2

Three pots of finger paint being made, one is red and the other two are still pale with drops of paint in them

Add a few drops of food colouring to each bowl of condensed milk and stir in using the spoon. You might want to use more or less food colouring to get the colour you want.

Step 3

Three pots of paint in green, blue and red

Set up a space to make art and get messy! Lay out some sheets of paper and the bowls of fingerpaint. 

Step 4

A hand is doing some finger painting using red, blue and green paints

Start fingerpainting! Encourage exploring the different colours, and use a brush if you like.

Top tips

  • You can make this activity more sensory by adding a few drops of natural flavourings like mint or vanilla (found in the baking section of the supermarket) to change the smell and taste