Let’s face it, bath time can sometimes feel more like a chore than a cheerful end to the day. Wrangling a slippery toddler or convincing a reluctant older kid into the tub isn’t always easy. But what if you could transform that daily routine into an eagerly anticipated session of creativity and fun? Enter the magic of DIY bath paints! Forget expensive store-bought options that often contain mystery ingredients. Making your own bath paints is surprisingly simple, incredibly affordable, and allows you to control exactly what touches your child’s skin.
Turning your bathtub into a temporary canvas unleashes a world of possibilities. It’s not just about getting clean; it’s about sensory play, colour exploration, and making happy memories. Plus, the clean-up is usually as simple as turning on the shower!
Why Go the DIY Route for Bath Paints?
You might wonder why you’d bother mixing up paints when you can just buy them. Well, there are several fantastic reasons:
- Ingredient Control: This is perhaps the biggest plus. You know exactly what goes into your homemade paints. Using gentle, kid-friendly bases like tear-free soap or even cornstarch means you can tailor the recipe to sensitive skin and avoid harsh chemicals or fragrances found in some commercial products.
- Cost-Effective Fun: Let’s be honest, kids can go through bath paints quickly! The ingredients for DIY versions are usually inexpensive household staples, meaning you can whip up batch after batch without breaking the bank. More paint, more fun!
- Customisation Station: Want neon green? Sparkly blue? You’re the colour master! Mix and match food colourings to create a unique palette every time. You can make thick paints, thin paints, even scented paints (using kid-safe essential oils sparingly, if appropriate for your child’s age and skin).
- Educational Opportunities: Making the paints together can be part of the fun. Kids learn about mixing colours, measuring ingredients (hello, stealth math!), and following simple instructions. In the bath, they can practice letters, numbers, shapes, or just express their inner artist.
- Eco-Friendly Option: By using reusable containers and common household ingredients, you’re potentially reducing plastic waste compared to buying multiple single-use bath paint tubes.
Super Simple DIY Bath Paint Recipes
Ready to get mixing? Here are a few tried-and-true recipes using common household items. Remember to adjust the consistency by adding more liquid (water or soap) for thinner paint or more base (cornstarch or shaving cream) for thicker paint.
Recipe 1: The Speedy Shaving Cream Swirls
This is arguably the fastest way to get painting!
Ingredients:
- Basic white shaving cream (the foamy kind, not gel)
- Washable food colouring or liquid watercolours
- Muffin tin or plastic bowls for mixing
Instructions:
- Squirt a dollop of shaving cream into each section of your muffin tin or into separate small bowls.
- Add a drop or two of food colouring to each dollop. Remember, a little goes a long way!
- Stir gently with a craft stick or spoon until the colour is mixed. Avoid overmixing if you want a slightly swirled effect.
- Hand it over and let the bathtub artistry begin!
Pros: Super quick, fluffy texture, easy clean-up.
Cons: Can disappear relatively quickly on wet surfaces, might not be suitable for very sensitive skin (always check shaving cream ingredients).
Recipe 2: The Gentle Soap Suds Paint
A great option using something you likely already have by the tub.
Ingredients:
- Tear-free baby shampoo or body wash (clear or white works best)
- Cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- Washable food colouring
- Water (optional, for thinning)
- Mixing bowls or containers
Instructions:
- Pour a small amount of shampoo or body wash into each container.
- If you want thicker paint, add cornstarch a little at a time (start with maybe 1 teaspoon per 1/4 cup of soap) and stir well until smooth. Break up any lumps.
- Add a few drops of food colouring to each container and mix thoroughly.
- If the paint is too thick, add a tiny bit of water to reach the desired consistency.
- Time to paint the tub!
Pros: Uses gentle, tear-free ingredients; doubles as soap for washing; easily customizable thickness.
Cons: Might be a bit runnier than other recipes if cornstarch isn’t used; requires thorough mixing to avoid lumps.
Verified Fun Fact: Most basic DIY bath paint recipes use common, non-toxic household ingredients. This generally makes them a safe and easily accessible activity for young children under supervision. Always ensure the ingredients chosen are appropriate for your child’s specific needs and skin sensitivities. Clean-up is typically straightforward with warm water and a cloth.
Recipe 3: The Classic Cornstarch Creation
This recipe creates a lovely, smooth paint often compared to store-bought versions.
Ingredients:
- Cornstarch (cornflour in some regions)
- Water
- Optional: A squirt of tear-free baby wash or shampoo for slight bubbling/easier rinsing
- Washable food colouring
- Saucepan (for cooked version) OR mixing bowl (for no-cook version)
Instructions (No-Cook Method – Quickest):
- In a bowl, mix equal parts cornstarch and water (e.g., 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup water). Stir until smooth – it will have that interesting non-Newtonian fluid feel initially!
- Add a squirt of baby wash if desired and mix again.
- Divide the mixture into your containers (ice cube trays work well).
- Add food colouring to each section and stir well.
- Adjust consistency if needed: add more cornstarch to thicken, more water to thin.
- Ready for bath time!
Instructions (Cooked Method – Smoother, More Paint-Like):
- In a saucepan, whisk together 1/2 cup cornstarch and 2 cups of cold water until smooth.
- Heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
- Continue stirring until the mixture thickens to a gel-like consistency (like pudding). Don’t let it boil vigorously.
- Remove from heat and let it cool completely. Stir in a squirt of baby wash if using.
- Once cool, divide into containers, add colour, and stir.
- Let the tub transformation commence!
Pros: Creates a smooth, satisfying paint texture (especially the cooked version); very inexpensive.
Cons: Cooked version requires heating and cooling time; no-cook version can sometimes separate if left sitting for too long (just give it a stir).
Colouring Your Creations Safely
The magic is in the colour! Standard liquid or gel food colouring is the easiest and most common way to tint your DIY bath paints. A little goes a long way, so start with just a drop or two and add more until you reach the desired shade.
Important Note on Staining: While most washable food colourings rinse away easily from standard bath tubs and tiles, there’s always a small risk of staining, especially with porous grout or older tub surfaces. Highly pigmented colours (like deep reds or blues) are more likely culprits.
- Test First: If you’re concerned, test a small, inconspicuous area of your tub or grout first.
- Rinse Promptly: Encourage kids to rinse the paint off the walls relatively quickly after they’re done painting. Don’t let highly concentrated paint sit for extended periods.
- Natural Options: For a completely natural approach, you can experiment with powdered natural colourants like beetroot powder (pink/red), turmeric (yellow – use sparingly, can stain!), spirulina (green/blue), or cocoa powder (brown). Mix these powders with a tiny bit of water to make a paste before adding them to your paint base to avoid clumps. Note that natural colours might be less vibrant.
Tools of the Tub Trade
You don’t need fancy equipment!
- Containers: Muffin tins are perfect for holding multiple colours. Ice cube trays, small plastic bowls, or even clean yoghurt pots work well too. For easier application, try pouring the finished paints into reusable squeezy bottles (like travel toiletry bottles or cleaned-out sauce bottles).
- Applicators: Fingers are the ultimate tool! But you can also offer bath sponges, foam shapes, or designated bath-time paintbrushes (choose chunky plastic ones that can handle water).
Level Up Bath Time Fun
Once you’ve got your paints ready, here are a few ideas to make bath time even more engaging:
- Theme It Up: Ocean theme? Use blues and greens, paint fish! Dinosaur theme? Mix up earthy tones!
- Learning Play: Practice writing letters, numbers, or drawing shapes on the tub wall.
- Colour Mixing Magic: Provide primary colours (red, yellow, blue) and let kids discover what happens when they mix them.
- Target Practice: Stick foam shapes to the wall and let kids try to cover them with paint squirted from bottles.
The Clean-Up Crew
Usually, cleaning up DIY bath paint is the easiest part. Simply use the shower head or a cup to rinse the paint off the child and the tub walls. A quick wipe with a cloth or sponge should remove any residue. Because the base is often soap or shaving cream, it practically cleans the tub as you rinse! Ensure all paint goes down the drain.
Important Safety Reminders: Always supervise children closely during bath paint activities. Ensure children are old enough not to routinely try and eat the paint, even if made with food-safe ingredients. If using new ingredients like specific soaps or food colourings, consider doing a small patch test on your child’s skin beforehand, especially if they have sensitivities. Keep paints away from eyes. Thorough rinsing after the bath is key.
Get Ready for Creative Splashes!
Making your own bath paints is a fantastic way to add a burst of inexpensive, creative fun to the daily bath routine. It encourages sensory exploration, artistic expression, and can even sneak in a little learning. By using simple, readily available ingredients, you can ensure a safer playtime experience while transforming the tub into a vibrant canvas. So grab your ingredients, stir up some colour, and prepare for giggles, masterpieces, and a much happier bath time for everyone involved. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different recipes and colours to find your family’s favourites!
