Tub Paints

Lately I have been trying to think of more ideas for craft activities for Xander.  Most require a big mess, which always makes me think the bathtub, leading me to think of tub paints.  Women think in spaghetti, right?

Doing a quick internet search, you will find most recipes call for about 3/4 of a cup baby shampoo, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and food coloring.  We did both blue and green that way, but then tried baby wash for the red.  I have to say the baby wash was much easier to mix!  It seemed to absorb the cornstarch a lot better.  For the other two I stirred, stirred some more, and whisked and still didn't get it all in.  On the other hand, the baby wash blend probably could have used a bit more cornstarch because it was a little thin on the walls of the tub.  Next time baby wash with more cornstarch will be the way to go!

I stuck Xander in the tub with a kids paint brush and a foam brush and showed him how it worked.  Xander thought it was great fun when I painted him with the brush.  I think it tickled, so I got rewarded with good giggles.

He enjoyed playing with the brush.  While he understood the concept, his execution needed some work.  He ended up just banging the brush against the side of the tub rather than actually painting the walls.  I am just happy he tried.

And, of course, he had to try the paint... a couple of times.

One of the very few things Xander has tried and not liked.

Overall, it was a nice activity. We will be able to do it many more times, we have a lot of left over paint.