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How to Make Paint: Sweetened Condensed Milk

By Rachelle 22 Comments

sweetened condensed milk paint diy from tinkerlab

This recipe is a keeper because it comes together quickly, uses ingredients you probably have on hand, and it expands the way children think about art supplies. When children have the opportunity to invent things and imagine new possibilities (in this case, making their own paint, inventing colors, and imagining what they can create with the paint), opportunities for creative thinking are greater.

Not to mention, both of my kids (21 month Rainbow and 4 year old Nutmeg) enjoyed painting with it, and, um, eating it too. Once dry, the paint has an attractive shiny coat to it. Because there’s sugar in the milk, I’m not going to guarantee its archival quality, but after we’ve had our paintings for a month they still look brand-new.

I get a lot of questions about activities that can be enjoyed by kids of multiple ages. Generally, my opinion on this is that children will adapt the materials in front of them to meet their own level of ability. This project will work for toddlers on up to adults; just expect that the results will vary.

how to make sweetened condensed milk paint

My 4-year old’s completed paintings.

how to make sweetened condensed milk paint

Materials

  • Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • Food coloring
  • Small mixing bowls
  • Paint brushes
  • Tea spoons for mixing
  • Card stock or other heavy paper for painting on

how to make sweetened condensed milk paint

Pour a little milk into a bowl, add a couple drops of food coloring, and mix.

how to make sweetened condensed milk paint

My 21-month old got into the mixing action too.

how to make sweetened condensed milk paint

Our painting set-up: I have a big, clear plastic tablecloth that covers the art table. It’s perfect for sticky + wet projects like this. I taped my toddler’s paper to the table to keep it from slipping.

how to make sweetened condensed milk paint

These paintings takes some time to dry. Rainbow did not have a delicate painting hand and her paint went on quite thick. The painting on the right had a deep puddle on it that took a good day to dry. And when it finally dried it caked up a bit and had a nice crackled effect to it. Just something to keep in mind in case you’re looking for a quick-drying paint…this is not it!

Have you tried this before? What kitchen supplies have you tried painting with?

And be truthful, aren’t you just a little bit curious about what it would be like to paint with sticky milk?

This post has been shared on It’s Playtime

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Filed Under: Art Activities, DIY, Elementary, Painting, Pre-School, Recipe, Toddler

Comments

  1. Gaby says

    June 27, 2012 at 10:42 am

    This would never work for me. One of the only cravings I had this last pregnancy was condensed milk; I finished a can in two days eating it with a spoon… and those spoons look so delicious! 🙂 I love how you are always coming up with new things for the kids to experiment. Thanks for sharing your great ideas.

    Reply
  2. jen @ paintcutpaste.com says

    June 27, 2012 at 11:46 am

    omg, i need some sweetened condensed milk right this instant… a teeny bit of it just might make it onto the page and the rest in my tummy. YUMMY ART!!!!! you are so inventive – i love it!

    Reply
  3. Melissa @The Chocolate Muffin Tree says

    June 27, 2012 at 12:17 pm

    Yes we have! This is great to paint on sugar cookies (unbaked ones) and pop them in the oven. We did this at Christmas:
    thechocolatemuffintree.com/2011/12/painted-christmas-sugar-cookies.html
    We were going to do this at Easter, but why not any holiday or time?

    Reply
  4. Melissa @The Chocolate Muffin Tree says

    June 27, 2012 at 12:18 pm

    Here is the link again:
    Painted sugar cookies: http://www.thechocolatemuffintree.com/2011/12/painted-christmas-sugar-cookies.html

    Reply
  5. crystal@growingajeweledrose says

    June 27, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    What a yummy way to paint! My little girl thinks it is yummy anyway 🙂

    Reply
  6. Deborah says

    June 27, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    I have tried it and love the glossy finish but that drying time is a pain:)

    Reply
  7. Megan @ CoffeeCupsandCrayons says

    July 5, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    Super cool! I love the effect. We have painted with many, many things, but never condensed milk–can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  8. Dani @ Fitness Food And Style says

    August 2, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    Oh mmmmmyyyyyy!!!! I’ve just embarked on clean eating and this would def be too much temptation although it beats the flour, water and salt version paint I do! What a fabulous idea!!! Now I can stock up on condense milk and use it for other stuff than baking and stuffing my face :-)))) YOU’RE AMAZING!!! Thanks so much for sharing xx

    Reply
  9. Diane says

    June 5, 2013 at 6:15 am

    I have a question – do you think that this paint would work on rocks?

    I am looking for a way to have a large group of children paint rocks but cannot afford some of the paints that are available.

    thank you!

    Reply
    • rachelle says

      June 6, 2013 at 12:16 am

      Hi Diane,
      It would definitely work on rocks, but it would wash off. Another thought is to go to your local paint/hardware store and ask them to donate paint cans that were the wrong colors. You can often get these for free or pennies on the dollar. Just make sure that the paints you ask for are non-toxic. Discount school supply also has pretty good prices on paint. Good luck!
      Rachelle

      Reply
    • Tracie says

      May 26, 2014 at 10:40 am

      Just mix pva glue with the paint it makes it hard and stays transparent.

      Reply
  10. Diane says

    June 6, 2013 at 4:44 am

    thank you so much! May GOD bless you and keep you – may HIS face shine down on you – In JESUS – AMEN!

    Reply
  11. Jeanine says

    February 21, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    This is awesome!! Thank you for sharing this simple play paint recipe! I actually always have one can hidden in the baking cupboard & never thought of painting with it! I’m so excited to try with our neon food coloring! Thanks again!

    Reply
  12. Nicole says

    May 19, 2014 at 10:04 am

    I just tried a modified version of this to make finger paint for my 14 month old. Instead of food coloring I used different food products to color the condensed milk. You can see my results on my blog at: http://webecamethree.com/projects/edible-finger-paint/

    Thanks for te great idea!

    Reply
    • rachelle says

      May 20, 2014 at 11:02 pm

      That’s a fantastic idea! I love seeing how this worked out for your family. Yogurt is a GREAT idea for S’s age.

      Reply
  13. Tracie says

    May 26, 2014 at 10:39 am

    This is great used on RICE PAPER then you can eat it all!

    Reply
    • rachelle says

      May 28, 2014 at 10:40 am

      What a great idea!

      Reply
  14. vex says

    March 21, 2019 at 9:35 pm

    The idea is that this milky paint is quite impressive and simple. I appreciate the ideas you share.

    Reply
  15. i need help says

    March 26, 2019 at 4:58 am

    A’s right, without much of any result. She sat us as indicated by in sequential order request, which landed me beside a standout amongst my closest companions, another young lady who had no issues with learning, while our old accomplices gazed balefuly from over the homeroom comprehending what was coming.

    Reply
  16. jenny says

    April 5, 2019 at 12:18 am

    This is good

    Reply
  17. Daniel says

    April 29, 2019 at 6:40 am

    This is very amazing blog, kids will surely happy about this and it’s very impressive
    the colors are lovely and sweet, I enjoy looking your pictures and I will try this to my home.
    Thanks for posting this.

    Reply
  18. Lusiess says

    August 7, 2019 at 3:30 am

    This is awesome!! Thank you for sharing this simple play paint recipe! I actually always have one can hidden in the baking cupboard & never thought of painting with it! I’m so excited to try with our neon food coloring! Thanks again!

    Reply

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