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With just a watercolor cake and a little hot water, you can quickly whip up your own homemade liquid watercolors — perfect for painting, process art, and creative play with your kids!
Homemade Liquid Watercolors
If your kids love painting, chances are you’ve got a well-loved watercolor palette (or five!) stashed in your art cabinet. But did you know that you can turn those solid watercolor cakes into vibrant homemade liquid watercolors with just a little hot water? This quick DIY is perfect for those moments when your palette is running low or your little artist wants to try a new painting technique.
This method is super simple and works beautifully for process art and large-scale painting projects — especially when you need a thinner, more fluid paint option.
Why You’ll Love Making Your Own Watercolors
- Perfect for multiple uses – It’s perfect for light washes, brush painting, and backgrounds.
- Budget-friendly – One watercolor set makes several jars of paint!
- Customizable – Mix colors, adjust intensity, and make only what you need.
- Kid-safe & washable – Especially when using Crayola or other kid-safe brands.
If making your own liquid watercolors isn’t your thing, no worries — we totally get it! One of our favorite liquid watercolor sets is this watercolor set. I’ve used it often in the art room with my students because it lasts a long time, dries quickly, and delivers bright, vibrant colors every time.
However, when you’re just starting to build your art supplies at home, especially for little ones, it can be tricky to know what your kids will love and what will just end up sitting on the shelf. That’s exactly why we love creating a homemade version first. It’s a great way to explore without the upfront cost!
Liquid Watercolors vs. Watercolor Palettes : What’s the Difference?
Watercolor Palettes (like Crayola cakes):
- Come in solid form and are activated with water
- Allow for more control and detailed layering
- Great for fine motor practice and structured painting
- Typically not as vibrant as store-bought liquid watercolors
- Easy to store and use again and again
- Are inexpensive and there are many options online. We love both this set and this Crayola set!
Liquid Watercolors (store-bought or homemade):
- Are already in liquid form and ready to use
- Store-bought kinds are very vibrant and highly pigmented — a little goes a long way!
- Homemade versions (like ours using watercolor cakes) are a bit more watery and lighter in color
- Great for process art, backgrounds, and large-scale painting
- Often more affordable when making large batches or testing out different art styles
No matter which one you use, both watercolor types offer something creative and fun for your little artists. Try both and see what sparks their imagination the most!
HOW TO VIDEO:
Materials Needed To Make Liquid Watercolors
- Watercolor cakes
- Small glass jars (4 oz mason jars work perfectly)
- Hot water
- Spoon for stirring
- Watercolor Paper – Since our homemade watercolors are more diluted than traditional cakes, using regular paper can lead to warping or overly soaked artwork. Watercolor paper is thicker and designed to handle the extra moisture, helping your child’s art stay vibrant and crisp. You can find affordable watercolor pads at Amazon, Michaels, Walmart, and even some Dollar Stores!
Tip: Make sure your watercolor cakes can be removed from the tray before starting!
How To Make Liquid Watercolors
Step 1: Remove Watercolor Cakes
- Pop your desired colors out of the watercolor tray. You’ll need one cake per jar.
Step 2: Add Hot Water
- Fill each jar with 3 to 4 ounces of hot water. The more water you use, the lighter and more diluted your color will be. Feel free to start off with less water and add more if desired!
Step 3: Let It Soak & Stir
- Let the cake begin dissolving. Stir occasionally to help break it down. If the paint isn’t dissolving quickly enough, pop the jar in the microwave for 15–20 seconds to speed things up.
- You are ready to use your liquid watercolor! As a note: watercolor paper works BEST with this
🎨 Crafty Tips:
1. Try using pipettes or droppers!
Let your kids explore how the paint flows by using pipettes, droppers, or even small paintbrushes to apply the color. It’s a fun way to encourage creativity and build fine motor skills at the same time! You can even practice blowing your paint around with a straw in our umbrella craft.
2. Set up a “color mixing” station.
Give your kids a little extra water and space to experiment with mixing their homemade colors. It’s a simple way to spark curiosity and sneak in some playful learning about primary and secondary colors!
3. Save leftovers for later.
If you have extra paint, pour it into small jars or squeeze bottles and label them for another day of creativity. Just give it a gentle stir to make sure the color is blended well. It’s always nice to have some ready-to-go paint on hand!
4. Embrace the mess — it’s washable!
Don’t stress if things get a little colorful. This version of liquid watercolor (made from Crayola cakes) is washable, so it’s perfect for young artists. Just lay down a tablecloth or tray and keep a damp cloth nearby for quick clean-up.
This simple craft activity is a hit with kids because it lets them help make their own art supplies and we all know how exciting that is! Mixing the paint feels like a mini science experiment, and watching the colors bloom in the water adds a layer of fun.
It’s also a great way to get creative without needing fancy supplies. Little ones can use these paints with thick brushes for big strokes, while older kids can explore color blending, abstract art, or painting backgrounds for handmade cards and paper crafts. It’s easy enough for toddlers (with help) and engaging enough for elementary-aged kids who want to take their art to the next level.
For more Art related activities you should try these:
