Finger Paints safe for 5 mo?

[Pyxi]

I have the best idea for Christmas presents this year. I want DS to do some finger paintings and then mount them in a frame beside of pic of him actually doing the painting for his grandparents and maybe his daycare teachers. I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good non-toxic finger paint (or recipe?) I can use? I at least want the primary colors, and my main concern is him putting his fingers in his mouth with the paint on them.

[utopia760]

homemade

1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup water
food coloring

put all in pan except colorcook on low for 10 min stir alot it will start to thin but eventully thicken when it starts to thiken take it off the burner and let it cool once cool devide into smaller containers and add color

[ckberkey]

Maybe do a handprint with the recipe above, so they can see how he grows every year? A painting would be completely meaningless, as a 5 month old doesn't know that he is making art for a someone... seems kinda weird to me.

[Pyxi]

I disagree that a painting by a 5 month old would be completely meaningless. As an artist myself I feel that exploration is one of the most important steps to creating artwork.

Thanks for the recipe!

ETA will the food coloring stain his skin?

[utopia760]

it prolly will temp. stain the skin a little you could try tempra powder - ive never used this recipe i just got it a week ago at playgroup

[homefrontgirl]

I think your idea is great! I did something similar for Father's Day for DH and he loved it. I used one box of instant vanilla pudding mixed with 1 1/2 cup water for the base and then divided that into small containers and added food coloring. It didn't stain his little hands, but it did stain the sheet I used on the kitchen floor to catch the spills. He actually didn't try to put his hands in his mouth at all. I guess the new experience was just to interesting, plus I had him paint right after he'd eaten. Good luck!