Tempera Paint Ideas
Vibrant colors that are quick to dry, these tempera paints will brighten
your day in a snap!
Tempera paint can be used for just about everything from creating signs
to cheer for your favorite team to making decorations for your room.
Here are a few of our favorite ideas to try with your paint.
Frozen Paint Pops
Before you begin, ask an adult for permission. Find an old
ice cube tray and some popsicle sticks. Fill it with different
colors of Faber-Castell tempera paint. Try a fun effect by
mixing colors. Add a popsicle stick to each paint pop and
rest the sticks on the tray dividers.
Place the tray in the freezer for several hours until the paint
freezes completely. Time will vary depending on how cold
your freezer is.
When ready, remove the paint pops from the freezer and let
them melt slightly so they pull out easily. You may want to
set the tray in warm water for a couple of minutes. Now
you’re ready to paint. You’ll notice it’s more like drawing than
painting! (Be sure to keep the paint pops away from small
children since they are not edible.)
Texture Pictures
Try using different textures around the house to paint with.
These should be items that you’re allowed to use, so
check with a parent or guardian to see if it’s ok to paint
with them.
We used bubble wrap, the edge of a plastic fork, a brush
and our finger to create our picture.
Try creating texture patterns on individual pieces of paper.
Once the paint is dry, cut them into different shapes. Use
your texture shapes to create layered art.
Sun Catchers
Find a plastic lid or other surface with a raised edge.
Smaller surfaces will work better. For ours, we used a
yogurt lid.
Pour glue into the base - enough to cover the entire area
but not to overflow. Add a few drops of paint to the glue
while it’s still wet. You may need to add some water to the
paint in order for it to be able to drip into the glue. Using
the back of your paintbrush, or a stick, swirl the paint into
the glue.
When you’re happy with your design, let it dry overnight. It
may take longer for the glue to dry in different environments. Gently peel up the edge of the glue. If you see the
glue isn’t completely dry, let the tacky surface continue to
dry face up until the glue is clear.
Use scissors to cut your sun catcher into a heart, star or
other fun shape. Add a hole and some string to the top.
Hang it up for decoration.
Over time your sun catcher will continue to dry and
become more brittle, so be sure to cut the shape out
within the first day or two.
Tape Resist
You’ll need tape that’s not too tacky such as painters tape
or masking tape. Use the tape to create a design on a
piece of paper or poster board.
Paint over the entire design and let it dry. We recommend
using a wide sponge brush to cover large surfaces evenly.
When dry, peel the tape off to
reveal your design!
Chalk Board
Create your own colorful chalk board with a few different
colors of paint. Just find a hard surface like cardboard or
foam board - something that won’t bend.
Paint the surface so it’s nice and smooth. We recommend
using a foam brush.
When it’s completely dry, use some chalk to write or draw
on it. Remove the chalk with a towel or a lightly dampened
rag. Some paint may come off since it’s not sealed. For
touch ups, just reapply the paint and let it dry.
Blow Painting
Create flowing, colorful, abstract art. Thin the tempera
paint with water until it is almost the same consistency as
the water.
Drip the colors onto your paper. Use a straw to blow the
watery paint into different shapes. Try turning your paper
after each blow to move the paint in different directions.
Turn your shapes into monsters, flowers, or fireworks!