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Have you tried puffy paint before? It’s a combination of shaving foam & PVA (school glue) and it is such a fun texture to paint with!

Making puffy paint is super easy, and it's incredibly fun to paint with! When it dries, puffy paint is squishy and soft to touch. It’s so easy to make and one you can get the kids involved in too.

What you need

You only need 3 simple ingredients and it'll take less than 5 minutes to make! The affiliate links below will take you to products on Amazon that are similar to the supplies we used to make this craft.

• Shaving foam (no need to go expensive - the cheap stuff will do!);
• PVA/school glue (Elmer's is washable);
• Food colouring (we like to use Wilton food colouring).

How to make it - step by step instructions

Step 1 - Pour glue into a small container.

Step 2 - Add the same amount of the shaving foam. Don't worry if it's not exact, just make an estimate of the measurements. 

Step 3 - Add food colouring and stir well to get an even colour throughout the mix. 

Step 4 - Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 for each of the colours you want to create. 

Step 5 - Use a brush to apply the puffy paint to card. 

We used our puffy paint to make ice creams! I gave my little one some sprinkles and some craft resources to decorate with. To make swirly ice cream grab a second colour of puffy paint and use a craft stick to swirl it through the first colour. We decorated the cones using a bit of cardboard dipped in brown paint and then created a crisscross over the cardboard cut-out.

Watch our video on how to make puffy paint:

FAQs

How long does puffy paint last?

Puffy paint can last anywhere up to about 5 days if you keep it in an air-tight plastic container with a lid. If left in the air puffy paint will dry out.

How long does puffy paint take to dry?

Puffy paint can take around 1-2 hours to completely dry, depending on how thick you apply it. If you use a thinner layer of paint, it will dry faster. 

Does puffy paint stay puffy?

Yes, once the puffy paint is fully dry, it will remain puffy and have a firm texture when touched. However, over time, the puffiness will flatten a bit.

Does puffy paint wash off?

Puffy paint should wash out easily from most clothing, but it's always a good idea to wear something that you don't mind getting a little messy.