Homemade microwave puffy paint is the perfect activity to complete with the kids. This activity is a cheap, easy, and fun activity to help develop fine motor skills. You can do it at home, so it’s a great way to try some science in the kitchen!
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
You Will Need:
-1 cup of flour or gluten-free flour
-3 teaspoons of baking powder
-1 teaspoon of salt
-1 cup water
-Few drops of food colouring
Watch our tutorial video below to make homemade microwave puffy paint!
How Puffy Paint Works
The key part of making puffy paint is baking powder. Baking powder is made from sodium bicarbonate. When the baking powder is mixed with water it releases a carbon dioxide gas. Adding the salt also reacts with the chemicals in the baking powder, which releases even more C02.
When the mixture including the water meets the heat it causes the baking powder to release small amounts of C02.
The reaction we see with the puffy paint is the same reaction when you bake a cake. The heat from the oven, mixed with baking powder releasing the carbon dioxide gas, produces bubbles.
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