12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (2025)

How to Make Puffy Paint?

Puffy paint is a fantastic addition to any crafter’s toolkit.

Its three-dimensional texture adds depth and dimension to your art projects, making them pop with personality.

While you can easily find puffy paint at craft stores, making your own can be a fun and cost-effective alternative.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you buy from my link I might make a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay. See the full affiliate disclosurehere.

In this blog post, we’ll explore 12 creative ways to make puffy paint at home, using common household ingredients.

Get ready to unleash your inner artist and add some texture to your creative endeavors!

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (1)

Puffy Paint Ideas:

1. Shaving Cream Puffy Paint

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (2)

How do you make a puffy paint with shaving cream? Here it is.

This simple yet engaging activity involves mixing equal parts of shaving cream and white glue, creating a fluffy and textured paint that can be applied to various surfaces.

The resulting puffy texture, reminiscent of whipped cream, adds a unique dimension to the artwork.

So just 5 mins, you can prepare a puffy paint of shaving cream and glue. You just need some stirring sticks such as popsicle sticks to store it well without messing your fingers with it.

Ingredients:

  • White glue
  • Shaving cream
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Mix equal parts white glue and shaving cream. Add a few drops of food coloring to create your desired color. Stir well and you’ve got puffy paint!

Check out the complete instructions from https://happydealhappyday.com/homemade-puffy-paint/

2. Flour and Salt Puffy Paint

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (3)

Make your self-rising flour and have fun creating this 3-ingredient puffy paint.

The self-rising flour and salt combination creates a unique texture that, when applied to paper or cardboard, dries with a puffy and raised effect.

This tactile quality adds an extra element of interest to your artwork. Once your puffy paint creations are complete, allow them to dry thoroughly.

Ingredients:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Water
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Combine equal parts flour and salt.

Slowly add water while stirring until you reach a thick, paint-like consistency.

Add food coloring to achieve your desired hue.

Check from https://happyhooligans.ca/homemade-puffy-paint/

3. Gelatin Puffy Paint

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (4)

This is a fun idea with the jello packs.

Kids of 3-5 years will enjoy the most.

Once your gelatin puffy paint is ready, apply it to paper or cardboard.

As the gelatin dries, it sets with a puffy and textured finish, giving your artwork a visually interesting and tactile quality.

This craft is not only visually appealing but also provides a fantastic sensory experience for both children and adults.

Ingredients:

  • Unflavored gelatin
  • Water
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Dissolve unflavored gelatin in warm water according to package instructions.

Add food coloring and mix well. Allow it to cool and thicken before using.

Check https://www.childcareland.com/home/jello-paint

4. Shampoo Puffy Paint

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (5)

Shampoo puffy paint is a creative and easy-to-make alternative for those looking to add a sensory element to their art projects.

To whip up a batch of this DIY paint, gather shampoo, shaving cream, and food coloring.

Ingredients:

Instructions: Mix equal parts shampoo and shaving cream.

Add a few drops of food coloring to achieve your desired color.

Stir until well combined.

5. Vinegar and Baking Soda Puffy Paint

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (6)

Vinegar and baking soda puffy paint is a dynamic and fizzy twist to traditional painting projects, adding an element of surprise and science to the creative process.

To create this engaging DIY paint, combine equal parts of baking soda and self-rising flour in a bowl.

Gradually mix in vinegar until you achieve a smooth and slightly foamy consistency.

Divide the mixture into smaller containers and add different food coloring to each, creating a vibrant and colorful palette.

Ingredients:

  • Vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Mix water and baking soda and make a thick paste.

Pour it into a muffin tray and add different colors to it. It will become hard when it dries.

The next day add vinegar to the cups and use the paint brushes to paint.

From https://www.theottoolbox.com/baking-soda-paints/

6. Whipped Cream Puffy Paint

Now this one is an edible puffy paint. A quick and easy activity for kids.

Which takes only 2-3 minutes to make.

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (7)

Whipped cream puffy paint is a delectably creative twist on traditional art projects, offering a tactile and aromatic experience.

To craft this delightful DIY paint, you’ll need whipped cream (store-bought or homemade), food coloring, and optional additional ingredients like glue for added thickness and durability.

Ingredients:

  • Whipped cream (in a can)
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Dispense whipped cream onto a surface and add food coloring.

Gently fold the coloring into the whipped cream until it’s fully incorporated.

Check https://kidactivitieswithalexa.com/en/edible-puffy-paint/

7. Glue and Salt Puffy Paint

A perfect kids’ activity to kill their time and learn in a fun way.

Engage your kids with these salt colors and play.

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (8)

Glue and salt puffy paint is a simple yet effective DIY craft that brings texture and dimension to your artistic creations.

To make this unique paint, combine equal parts of white glue and table salt in a bowl.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly until you achieve a smooth and slightly gritty consistency.

Divide the mixture into smaller containers and add different food coloring to each, creating a palette of vibrant hues.

Ingredients:

  • White glue
  • Table salt
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Mix white glue and table salt in equal parts.

Add food coloring to your liking. Stir until smooth and puffy.

From https://artfulparent.com/raised-salt-painting/

8. Yogurt Puffy Paint

With only 2 ingredients make this incredible puffy paint.

You can use some natural colors too like vegetable puree and so on to make this paint.

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (9)

Ingredients:

  • Yogurt
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Divide yogurt into bowls and add food coloring to each.

Mix well until you achieve vibrant colors.

This paint may not dry as hard as some other options, so keep that in mind for your project.

From https://mericherry.com/2014/06/08/make-yogurt-paint-babies-toddlers/

9. Soap and Flour Puffy Paint

You have all these ingredients present in your kitchen.

All you need is now to engage your kids.

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (10)

Ingredients:

  • Liquid dish soap
  • Cornstarch or Flour
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Combine equal parts liquid dish soap and flour.

Add food coloring and mix until you get the desired color and consistency.

Check https://www.midgetmomma.com/sidewalk-paint/

10. PVA Glue Puffy Paint

Create a rainbow, ice cream cones, or colorful flowers with this puffy paint.

There is so much to do.

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (11)

Ingredients:

  • PVA glue
  • Shaving cream
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Mix PVA glue and shaving cream.

Add food coloring to achieve your desired color.

Stir until well combined.

From https://www.gathered.how/arts-crafts/how-to-make-puffy-paint/

11. Epsom Salt Puffy Paint

If your kids want a puffy paint quickly then easily mix some epsome salt with the liquid coloring.

This may not be a very puffy paint but it works as a raised paint with brushes.

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (12)

Ingredients:

  • Epsom salt
  • Water
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Mix Epsom salt and water in equal parts.

Add food coloring to create your preferred color. Stir well until you have a thick, granular paint.

Check https://www.funlittles.com/art-activities-epsom-salt-painting/

12. Baby Powder Puffy Paint

This is an actual paint project that you can make.

Decorate your furniture or other home stuff.

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (13)

Ingredients:

  • Baby powder
  • White glue
  • Food coloring

Instructions: Mix equal parts baby powder and white glue.

Add food coloring to achieve your desired color. Stir until smooth and puffy.

From https://liveplayeat.com/raised-texture-paint/

My Take on How to Make Puffy Paints

Creating your puffy paint at home is not only cost-effective but also allows for endless creative possibilities.

You can experiment with different textures, colors, and consistencies, making your DIY puffy paint a versatile tool for various art projects.

So, gather your ingredients, let your imagination run wild, and start adding dimension and excitement to your crafts with these 12 fantastic homemade puffy paint recipes!

More Kid’s Crafts to engage with:

  • 25 Easy easter Egg Crafts to Make
  • 10 Fun Traffic Light Craft Ideas
  • 7 Easy Steps to Make a Rubber Band Ball

How to Make Puffy Paint

12 Creative Ways to Make Puffy Paint: DIY Craft Fun! (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 5794

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.