Painting with Food

I often hear moms say they'd like to offer their children more opportunities to paint and create at home. The biggest obstacle? The mess.

At our house, Crayola washables rule. Aprons, tablecloths, newspapers and old burp cloths help lessen the messes too. And sometimes, we just take our artwork outside.

In the end, spilled paints eventually fade away – or get covered by another stain! The benefits children receive from dabbling in the arts far outweigh the disadvantages.

Associate professor and family science researcher Dr. Sean Brotherson, of North Dakota State University, explains it this way: “Art engages a variety of the brain's areas that help children learn emotion, cognition and memory. Children should receive many opportunities to draw, paint, craft and create using different types of art.”

For more information, read Dr. Brotherson’s online article “Keys to Enhancing Brain Development in Young Children.”

Kitchen and Dumplings’ first video demonstrates a project Chef Taylor tried in elementary school – fruit and veggie stamping. Using paint and food, artists create works of art from food scraps. This simple art project introduces textures, colors and healthy foods to tiny hands. It also provides opportunities to practice sorting, color mixing and fine motor skills for preschoolers and older students. 

But fruit and veggie stamps aren’t just for kids. Stamping on fabric, note cards and brown paper (think handmade gifts and gift wrap) makes for relaxing moms club projects or get-togethers with friends.

Here’s how to do it …

Supplies:

• Fruits and vegetables (We used: celery, Romaine lettuce, corn, lemon, apple, mushroom, broccoli, green pepper and garlic.)
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Tempura or fabric paint
• Paint palettes (plates or large lids will do)
• Markers and brushes (optional)
• Paper or fabric
• Tablecloth, wet cloths

Directions:

1. Wash and cut fruits and veggies to create a variety of printmaking shapes. Dab juicy food (oranges, for example) with a dry cloth.
2. Squeeze paint onto palettes.
3. Use markers and brushes to enhance or create detail. (Chef Taylor drew a vase on the paper before she and Kid Chef applied fruit and vegetable stamps. She used a brush to paint flower stems.)
4. Dip fruits and veggies in paint.
5. Stamp paper or fabric.
6. Hang up artwork or place it flat to dry.

Watch our printmaking video below for more tips. If you like what you read or see, tell your friends and visit us on Facebook. Thanks for joining us!


Until next time,
Tricia