Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

Veggie Ink / Finger Paint

  • 9-ounce clear plastic cup
  • 1 teaspoon unsweetened powdered drink mix (e.g., Koolaid)
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 1/8 teaspoon soybean oil (vegetable oil)
  • 1/8 teaspoon granular soy lecithin (found in health food stores)
  • stir stick
  • paper towel
  • rubber stamp images, paint brush, sponge or other painting implement

Veggie Ink

  1. Using a stir stick, blend water with the packet of drink mix in the clear plastic cup.
  2. Add soybean oil and stir well.
  3. Add granular soy lecithin and continue stirring until the lumps are gone.
  4. Fold a paper towel in half and then in half again. This is the stamp pad.
  5. Carefully pour the contents of the cup into the center of the folded paper towel.
  6. Print images on sheets of paper to create stationary, cards, wrapping paper, etc.

Note: The ink will take a little extra time to dry and can stain fabric.

Students should note that soy oil does not mix well with water until lecithin is added. Soy lecithin is a byproduct of soap-making, used for mixing fats and oils with water. Lecithin is a common ingredient in fatty foods such as chocolate bar and salad dressing.
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup cold water
  • Food coloring

Finger Paint

  1. Put the cornstarch, salt, sugar and water into a pot. Cook over low heat about 10 minutes, stirring constantly.

  2. The mixture will start to thin but eventually will thicken. When it does, take the pot off the stove and let the mixture cool.

  3. Once it is cool, divide it into small containers and add a few drops of food coloring to each.

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Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a program of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma State Department of Education