Marshmallows are cheap, sweet and a perfect canvas for alphabet painting. For young children who might try to eat the craft supplies, try edible paints like the ones used in this photograph. Otherwise, tempera or acrylic paints are a good choice. See the slide show at the bottom of the page for pictures of how to make a marshmallow alphabet.
Materials:
- Marshmallows
- Clean paintbrushes
- Cups or containers for paint
- Butter, sugar and food coloring to make your own paint
Steps:
- To make edible paint, start with melting half a stick of butter in a sauce pan.
- Add a half cup to one cup of sugar to the melted butter and heat until it begins to thicken. Remove from heat.
- Set out cups or containers and put a few drops of food coloring into each cup. Spoon two or three teaspoons of the butter mixture into each cup and stir. Allow to cool.
- Use the paint to decorate your marshmallows with letters and pictures. Paint will be translucent.
- Allow to dry.
- Use the marshmallows to build words. See the photo album at the bottom of the page for pictures.
Subscribe to these articles by email or in a reader for more educational activities. To see articles on individual letters, alphabet product reviews and craft ideas see Alphabet activity articles.
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Comments
This is an adorable idea, and awesome way to teach letter recognition!
Thanks, Laurie! It's yummy, too. All-natural food colorings and marshmallows are available as well.
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