How to Make Puffy Paint

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 29, 2022 Approved

Puffy paint adds a fun texture to your children's artwork. While you can buy it at the craft store, it's often more fun -- and less expensive! -- to mix up your own batch at home. You can make a simple version with just glue, shaving cream, and food coloring; whip up a more natural version with flour, salt, and water; or prepare an extra puffy paint with shaving cream, flour, and glue. As long as you have food coloring or paint, you can make the paint in any shades that you like.

Ingredients

Simple 3 Ingredient Puffy Paint

1 part white glue
1 part shaving cream
Food coloring

Flour-Based Puffy Paint

1 cup (125 g) self-raising flour
1 cup (300 g) table salt
1 cup (237 ml) water
Food coloring

Super Puffy Shaving Cream Paint

3 cups (180 g) shaving cream
1 cup (125 g) flour
1 cup (225 ml) white glue
Food coloring or paint

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Mixing Up Simple 3 Ingredient Puffy Paint

1
Combine the glue and shaving cream. Add equal parts of white glue and shaving cream to a large bowl. Mix the two together until they are fully combined in a thick cream.^{[1]
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- Be sure to use a shaving foam, not shaving gel.
- If you’re concerned about the paint sticking to your spoons, you can use chopsticks, popsicle sticks, or even straws to mix the glue and shaving cream together.
2
Divide the mixture into several cups. Once the glue and shaving cream are completely mixed, set out a plastic cup for each shade of paint that you plan to make. Add a little of the glue and shaving cream mixture to each cup.^{[2]
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- It can be difficult to wash the paint out of containers, so it’s best to use disposable plastic cups that you can toss away when you’re done with the paint.
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3
Mix food coloring into the cups. To color the paint, add some food coloring to each cup in your chosen shade. The amount that you’ll need depends on how much of the paint mixture is in each cup and how dark you want the shade to be. Stir the coloring into the paint mixture until it’s completely blended.^{[3]
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- The more food coloring that you add, the darker the paint will be. However, it’s best to start with a small amount, such as 5 to 10 drops, and see if you’re happy with the color before adding more.
- When you’re adding the food coloring, keep in mind that the paint will dry darker that it appears when it’s wet.
4
Use a brush to apply a generous amount of the paint. When you have all the paint shades that you want, use a brush to paint it on a paper item in whatever design you like. Be sure to use a good amount of the paint to ensure that it has a puffy texture.^{[4]
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- Some designs that you may want to create with your puffy paints include a rainbow and fluffy white clouds, a bouquet of flowers, a moon, and stars, or a bunch of balloons.
- The puffy paints are also ideal for holiday designs. For example, create a Christmas tree or menorah, hearts for Valentine's Day, or a jack o'lantern for Halloween.
- Allow the paint to dry completely before hanging or displaying the painting. It usually takes 4 to 6 hours.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Preparing Flour-Based Puffy Paint

1
Mix the flour and salt. Add 1 cup (125 g) of self-raising flour and 1 cup (300 g) table salt to a bowl. Use a spoon or fork to blend the two together completely.^{[5]
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- To get the puffy texture, you must use self-raising flour in the paint.
- Use regular table salt for the paint. Sea and kosher salts are coarser and may alter the texture of the paint.
2
Add water to make a paste. Once the flour and salt are fully mixed, slowly stir water into the bowl. You can add up to 1 cup (237), but only mix in enough to create a smooth thin paste that has a similar texture to yogurt.^{[6]
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- If the paint thickens up at any point when you’re using it, you can simply mix a few drops of water into it to thin it out again.
3
Divide the mixture and add food coloring. When the flour mixture has the proper consistency, separate it between several bowls. Add a different color food coloring to each bowl and mix well to create several different shades of paint.^{[7]
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- Start by adding a small amount of food coloring and seeing how you like the color. If you want a deeper color, add more food coloring.
4
Apply the paint to heavy paper. When you’re happy with the color of the paints, use a paintbrush or cotton swabs to paint it in a design that you like. Use heavy paper or thin cardboard because the paint may soak through thin paper.^{[8]
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- Allow the painting to dry for several hours to overnight to ensure that the paint is set.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Whipping Up Super Puffy Shaving Cream Paint

1
Combine shaving cream, flour, and glue. Add 3 cups (180 g) of shaving cream, 1 cup (125 g) of flour, and 1 cup (225 ml) of white glue to a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together until they’re just combined.^{[9]
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- Avoid overmixing the paint so the air bubbles stay in the shaving cream and give it a puffy texture.
2
Divide the mixture between several bowls. When the ingredients are combined, set out several smaller bowls. You’ll need one for each color of paint that you plan to make. Use a spatula to add a little of the paint mixture to each bowl.^{[10]
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- It's a good idea to use disposal plastic bowls because the paint can stain your dishes.
3
Mix the food coloring into each bowl. When the paint mixture is divided into the bowls, add the food coloring of your choice to each one. Stir the paint until the color is fully incorporated.^{[11]
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- You can also mix tempera paint with the flour mixture to color the puffy paint.
4
Transfer the paint to a squeeze bottle. When you’re happy with the color of the paint, use a spatula to add each shade to a separate squeeze bottle. You can use a brush to apply it, but it’s usually easier to squeeze it out than paint it on.^{[12]
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- If you don’t have squeeze bottles, you can put the paint in sealable plastic bags and snip off a corner to squeeze the paint out of. Instead of having to wash the squeeze bottles when you’re done, you can just throw away the bags.
5
Create your design on heavy paper. When you’re ready to use the paint, squeeze it on in a design of your choice. Be sure to use heavy paper, such as poster board, tag board, or cardboard, because the paint is heavy and can soak through thin paper.^{[13]
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- Allow your paintings to dry for 24 hours to ensure that the paint is fully set.

Community Q&A

Question

How long will the shaving cream and glue last?

Community Answer

It will last a long time if you keep it covered, because the glue will dry up and the shaving cream might crumble.
Question

How hard does puffy paint get once it's dry?

Community Answer

It will be quite soft and fluffy, but it will not stick to your fingers.
Question

Can I substitute paint for food coloring when making puffy paint?

Community Answer

The paint may change the consistency of the puffy paint. For best results, use food coloring.

Warnings

Avoid getting the paint into the eyes.

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The paint is not edible, so keep away from very young children.

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