Painting—whether using your fingers or with a brush—is a great way to keep kids occupied at home this summer. But if you’re worried that your curious little ones will end up eating the paint or accidentally getting it into their mouths, here are some ways you can make your own safe, edible paint at home.

Pros: This is the most basic composition, and will yield the most paint-like consistency
Cons: Does not taste good

Pros and cons: same as #8. These two are the most basic and most cost efficient ways to make your own paint.

Pros: Will taste slightly less bland than #s 1 and 2
Cons: To get the right consistency, you will have to boil the mixture, stirring consistently. It’s an added step, something to consider if you’re making this with very young kids.

Pros: Kids will love this because it doesn’t taste bland
Cons: More expensive than flour or cornstarch

Pros: For babies and toddlers who like to out toys into their mouths—this is one way you can be sure they’re eating something healthy
Cons: Expensive + time-consuming to make. You need to peel the ingredients, steam, and then mash or puree them until you get a paint-like consistency

Pros: Perfect for older kids who like to make science experiments, since the combination of the baking soda and vinegar will make the mixture sizzle
Cons: Unlike the above recipes which will retain their liquid form once mixed, this one will become hard once dry, and will resemble the actual solid watercolors that come in palettes or jars at the bookstores. It will take 1 to 2 days for the drying to be completed, though.

Pros: Great for babies since the chunky mixture will also hone their little hands’ grasping skills
Cons: Gelatin powder contains sugar, so be sure to give to your babies in small amounts only

Pros: Surprisingly, the mixture is not sweet, so your kids won’t consume as much as you might fear
Cons: Very messy, very sticky