Summer is all about berry eating in our house. Whether we are buying raspberries or strawberries at the farmers' market or blueberries from a Pick-Your-Own spot down the road, many berries enter our home and get devoured quickly.
Last weekend, my daughter and I decided use some extra blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries to make our own watercolors.
1 We separated the berries and mashed them up with a fork—and then eventually our fingers—in a strainer. Then we added ¼ cup of water into each bowl to create the “paint.”
2 The colors were beautiful.
3 We used a brush, our fingers, and an actual blackberry for painting. (Fingers were the favorite.) My daughter created some beautiful masterpieces.
Later, a friend suggested boiling the fruit in water and straining it. The longer you boil the berries, the richer the color becomes. I clearly need to try this again and this time add cherries. I am well aware of the potent color that comes from cherry juice—it's often all over my kids' clothing.
Great nontoxic, edible paints. What more could you ask for?
Francesca Olivieri is co-founder of sage baby, an online eco-friendly baby store offering everything from organic clothes and skin care to furniture. She also runs a green consulting business; blogs for The Family Groove and Scenic Hudson; and contributes to Daily Candy Kids, YogaCity, Citiscoop, and NRDC’s Simple Steps. Please visit her website at FrancescaOlivieri.com.
