If you've spent any time nosing around my site, you've probably noticed that I am slightly...OK, maybe more than slightly...obsessed with Liquid Watercolors.  Since Liquid Watercolors are not an art supply you typically encounter, and definitely not one that you typically see on a list of kid's art supplies - I figured it would be a good idea to write a post all about what Liquid Watercolors are, how we use them, and also provide some ideas for different brands of Liquid Watercolors and where you can find some of your own!

So what are they and why do I find them SO amazing?

Rainbow Rice (made with Liquid Watercolors) from our Exploring Sound activity

First off, they are a fabulous substitute for food coloring.  They are WASHABLE, they are more vibrant, they are easier to use.  Not to mention, unless you get some sort of crazy deal on your food coloring - they are also cheaper!  It used to take me at least a whole pack of food coloring to make a batch of rainbow rice.  I barely put a dent in our liquid watercolors doing the same thing.  So while the initial investment is more than a box of food coloring - ultimately this will save you money if you add color to your sensory plays and projects.

We use Liquid Watercolors in our recipe for Rainbow Soap Foam

Next, they are gorgeous GORGEOUS watercolors.  We used to use the regular colored disc watercolors, but they get mucky quickly and it's also hard to find a brand that produces bright vibrant colors.  Now when S wants to paint with watercolors, I squirt a little of each color she wants into a ice tray or into some plastic cups (depending on the project).  It's much easier and less messy and the results are phenomenal.

Our Black Glue Paintings (the blue and green water was done with Liquid Watercolors)

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Now let's talk brands.  There are several options here:

First up is Discount School Supply.  Their Colorations Liquid Watercolors are only available through their site and only available in the US.  They have lots of options and lots of color choices.  If you'd like to get a starter set, you could either get all the color of the rainbow in individual Colorations Liquid Watercolor Paint 8 oz. bottles or you could get their set of 8 Colorations Tropical Colors Liquid Watercolors.  We have all of them, and love them all - though the colors in the tropical set are pretty amazing, so that might be my recommendation.

Oh and if you go with Colorations Liquid Watercolors - they can also be used to make your own stamp pads or refill their rainbow stamp pad - how amazing is that?  (We have the giant rainbow stamp pad and love it).

Next up is Sax Brand Liquid Watercolors.  We have a set of these and they are also amazing.  Sax is available through Amazon and also available in Canada through School Specialty.  Via Amazon you can buy Sax Liquid Watercolors by the bottle, or in an intro set of 10 bottles.

Next up are Blick Liquid Watercolors.  Though I haven't personally used these, they are highly rated everywhere I checked on the internet, so I feel fine mentioning them here.  They are available in Blick Art Stores to my knowledge, so if you happen to have one of those in town, you could actually get some in a store (they are wicked hard to track down in stores for some reason!).  You can also order a starter set of Blick Liquid Watercolors via Amazon .

Finally we have Color Splash Liquid Watercolors.  Again, I have not tried these, but they are highly rated everywhere I found them on the internet.  They also have the added advantage of coming in a teeny little one ounce set and being available to my UK readers via Amazon.

So there you have it!  Liquid watercolors = full of awesome.  I really do think we spend so much less on coloring things because food coloring is pricey and we use SO much of it to get great color.  Conversely an 8 ounce bottle of liquid watercolors lasts nearly an entire year for us.  And we color things all.  the.  time.  And you just can't beat washable color.  Trust me.

In Canada and looking for liquid watercolors?  Our readers recommend this shop.
In Australia and looking for liquid watercolors?  Our readers recommend this shop.

Curious about all the ways you can use liquid watercolors?
Click here to be taken to a list of all the projects we've used them in!!!

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All activities here are activities I feel are safe for my own children.  As your child's parents/guardians, you will need to decide what you feel is safe for your family.  I always encourage contacting your child's pediatrician for guidance if you are not sure about the safety/age appropriateness of an activity. All activities on this blog are intended to be performed with adult supervision.  Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when activities call for the use of materials that could potentially be harmful, such as scissors, or items that could present a choking risk (small items), or a drowning risk (water activities), and with introducing a new food/ingredient to a child (allergies).  Observe caution and safety at all times.  The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any of these activities on this blog.