Finger Painting 101

I've been wanting to try finger painting with our toddler. Here was the plan:

1. Long sheet of paper
2. Recipe for homemade/non-toxic fingerpaints
3. Driveway - figured a safe place to make a mess
4. Baby wipes/towels
5. Toddler

Here is what I learned through the process:

1. Homemade finger paint has a very interesting consistency
2. Pour paint on paper first - do not give toddler access to paint containers
3. Paint looks just as interesting on driveway, Mommy & Daddy as on paper
4. The "finger" in fingerpainting is optional. Feet, forearms, hair work well too.
5. Paint is edible. Although may cause stomach ache especially after strawberry picking/eating
   
6. Clothing might need to be optional too!

My husband did point out, however, that we explored the following painting techniques:

1. "Jackson Pollock" accomplished by son dunking entire hands in paint containers and then shaking them.
2. Gravitational: What happens when entire paint container is poured on paper - which is sloping down driveway
3. MOMA: minimalistic, contemporary exploration of mixing paint, driveway gravel and lawn clippings.

My recommendation for those considering this activity with your toddlers...fingerpaint naked in the bathtub!