Finger paints are one of the best tools for the early development of a child's fine motor skills, imagination, imaginative thinking and speech skills. Their popularity among advanced parents leads to the fact that the shelves of children's stores are literally littered with products from different manufacturers. Unfortunately, it does not always have an equally good composition.
In order to make it easier for readers to choose high-quality and safe paints, I studied the most popular products presented on the domestic market, after which I compiled a rating of the best offers and tried to create a kind of “memo” that would focus the buyer’s attention on the most important characteristics.
Rating of top 9 finger paints
This rating presents the 9 most popular sets of finger paints among domestic consumers. I tried to collect as much useful information as possible about each of them so that readers could make an informed choice.
CENTRUM Finger paints My Little Pony
A set of finger paints, designed in the style of the animated series My Little Pony, will surely appeal to fans of Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. The set includes 4 paint jars with tight lids. The product contains food coloring and a preservative, purified water, glycerin and dectrin derived from natural starch, which provides sufficient viscosity. The colors are bright and easily washed off from any surface.
Number of packages | 4 things. |
Colors | Yellow, red, green, blue. |
Volume of one package | 40 ml |
Type of packaging | Jar |
Age | From 3 years. |
Price
from 85 to 367 rubles
- Colorful design;
- Safe composition;
- Tight lids;
- Pleasant consistency;
- Brightness.
- Tend to dry out.
Excellent paints, bright, easy to wash off, easy to mix and get the colors you want.
Expert opinion
Evgeniy Zhuravlev
Expert in the field of pet products, water filters and children's products.
Ask a Question
Don't forget to close the jars after playing, otherwise the remaining paint may dry out.
CENTRUM Finger paints My Little Pony
Junlandia Finger paints Little Fox
Touch finger paints with natural composition from the Yunlandia brand. The set consists of 6 jars, each with a capacity of 60 milliliters. The product belongs to the sensory category: when dry, it acquires a relief texture and contains fine sand, which provides the child with a new tactile experience. The paints are water-based, so they can be easily washed off from any surface without the use of detergents or detergents.
Number of packages | 6 pcs. |
Colors | Yellow, red, green, blue, orange, white |
Volume of one package | 60 ml. |
Type of packaging | Jar |
Age | from 3 years. |
Price
from 187 to 269 rubles
- Good composition;
- Large volume of paint in the package;
- 6 colors;
- Sensory development.
- Due to the presence of sand in the composition, you need to be especially careful so that the child does not taste the paint.
Great colors!! Pleasant to the touch. Beautiful shades + mixing scheme for other colors. It smells nice, washes off your hands and clothes very easily.
Junlandia Finger paints Little Fox
JOVI Finger paints 6 colors
A set of paints from a large Spanish brand specializing in creating children's art products. The set includes 6 large jars, 125 ml each. The paints have a gel texture and do not smudge, making them an excellent choice for the youngest artists. They harden slowly, which will allow the child to smear the paints on the paper for a long time or adjust the drawing. The brand's products are distinguished by a safe, hypoallergenic composition.
Number of packages | 6 pcs |
Colors | Yellow, brown, green, blue, orange, white |
Volume of one package | 125 ml. |
Type of packaging | Jar |
Age | from 1.5 years |
Price
from 744 to 1500 rubles
- Packaged in large jars;
- 6 colors per set;
- They have a gel consistency and do not spread;
- Bright;
- Safe for children;
- Easily washed off.
- High price.
Easily washed off with water from skin, clothing and any other surfaces, they do not cause allergies. I really liked the colors.
Expert opinion
Evgeniy Zhuravlev
Expert in the field of pet products, water filters and children's products.
Ask a Question
If the house is warm enough, undress your child before the drawing session. This way you will save yourself from unnecessary washing.
JOVI Finger paints 6 colors
Junlandia Finger paints Little hedgehog
Classic finger paints with a gel consistency. They do not spread, they dry slowly, so the child will be able to adjust his drawing for a long time. Paints can be used on any surface, from paper to leather, acrylic and tiles. The manufacturer uses natural dyes, thickeners and preservatives, so the paints do not cause irritation or allergic reactions.
Number of packages | 6 pcs. |
Colors | Yellow, red, green, blue, black, white |
Volume of one package | 60 ml. |
Type of packaging | Jar |
Age | from 3 years. |
Price
from 189 to 330 rubles
- 6 colors per set;
- Do not spread:
- Packed in jars with tight lids;
- Economical, one package lasts a long time.
- Difficult to wash off from some surfaces.
Cool colors! There is something to compare with (not the first ones)! The consistency is just right! Cleans up fine! I washed it off the body with a child’s delicate washcloth, it washes off perfectly, the washcloth itself also washes off the paint well with soap. In general, I’m satisfied and will order again
Junlandia Finger paints Little hedgehog
Finger paint Junlandia “Safari”
Compact set of finger paints containing 4 primary colors: red, green, blue and yellow. They have a gel texture, thanks to which they are guaranteed not to spread on the paper. The product contains only natural colors and thickeners, so they can be given even to children under 3 years of age, provided that the child is under parental supervision while playing. The paints are water-based, easy to wash off, and can be used to paint on any surface.
Number of packages | 4 things |
Colors | Yellow, red, green, blue. |
Volume of one package | 35 ml |
Type of packaging | Jar |
Age | from 3 years. |
Price
from 102 to 392 rubles
- Natural composition;
- Pleasant consistency;
- Easily washed off.
- Small packages.
Bright colors. They dry quickly (but not immediately, the drawing needs to be dried). Jelly-like consistency. Easy to wash and wash.
Finger paint Junlandia “Safari”
Yunlandiya Fluorescent finger paints Neonchiki
Excellent fluorescent finger paints. Allows you to create designs that glow in the dark. The set includes 6 colors: pink and orange are added to the standard yellow, red, blue and green. The paints are moderately thick and jelly-like. They do not drip or spread, they can be used to paint on any surface, including vertical ones, and they can be easily washed off. The product is safe for children as it contains harmless food colors and preservatives.
Number of packages | 6 pcs |
Colors | Yellow, red, green, blue, orange, pink |
Volume of one package | 60 ml |
Type of packaging | Jar |
Age | from 3 years. |
Price
from 195 to 537 rubles
- 6 colors included;
- Non-liquid texture;
- Fluorescence;
- Safe composition;
- Sufficiently large jars;
- They wash off well.
- Not detected.
The colors are bright as in the photo, the colors are beautiful, the 2-year-old child really liked them! Thick, not runny, easy to apply on fingers. No pungent smell. They wash off well with water and even with a damp cloth. The skin after use remains soft and not tight. Good size jars, will last a long time.
Yunlandiya Fluorescent finger paints Neonchiki
Danko Toys Finger paints My first creation
A set of finger paints from a Ukrainian manufacturer. It has a watery consistency and comes complete with palettes into which paints can be poured and mixed. The product does not contain toxic components and does not cause allergic reactions or irritation. Paints can be painted on any surface. They are bright and dry well.
Number of packages | 4 things. |
Colors | Blue, red, yellow, green. |
Volume of one package | 25 ml |
Type of packaging | Sachets |
Age | from 3 years. |
Price
About 200 rubles
- Made on a water basis;
- Hypoallergenic.
- Inconvenient packaging.
We received the paints, the colors are good, it’s a pity that they are not in jars. I recommend
Danko Toys Finger paints My first creation
Molly Finger paints with stencil Fruit
A set of safe finger paints designed for children aged six months and older. They have a moderately liquid consistency, are easy to apply, do not spread or drip. The set of 4 standard colors is complemented by brown, expanding the possibilities for drawing. The kit also includes a plastic stencil with five shaped holes depicting fruits and berries: strawberries, apples, grapes, pears and lemons. The paints are suitable for painting with fingers, brushes, and cotton swabs.
Number of packages | 5 pieces. |
Colors | Red, blue, green, yellow, brown. |
Volume of one package | 22 ml |
Type of packaging | Jar |
Age | from 6 months. |
Price
from 99 to 241 rubles
- Pleasant consistency;
- Convenient packaging;
- Stencils included;
- Suitable for little ones.
- Small jars.
We do not draw with our fingers, but with cotton swabs. These paints are ideal for this method. Moderately thick, do not spread. The child (one year and 9 years old) liked the stencils, it’s easy to draw
Molly Finger paints with stencil Fruit
Crayola finger paints
Excellent set of American made paints. Consists of 4 jars of 147 ml each, with convenient dispensers that allow you to squeeze the right amount of paint directly onto the paper. The gel-like consistency does not allow the product to spread; it can be used to draw on horizontal and vertical surfaces: paper, body, fabric, wood, acrylic. The paints wash off well with soap and water and do not leave behind stains. They are very bright and can be easily mixed to create orange, purple and other shades.
Number of packages | 4 things |
Colors | Red, blue, yellow, red |
Volume of one package | 147 ml. |
Type of packaging | Jar. |
Age | From 2 years. |
Price
from 700 to 850 rubles
- Large volume;
- Bright colors;
- Do not spread;
- Safe;
- Economical;
- Easily washed off.
- High price
The colors are excellent, easily washed off from any surface and washed off clothes. My child and I have been drawing since he was 8 months old, the baby is delighted!!! I tried to taste it, but I didn’t like it (for which special thanks to the manufacturer)
Crayola finger paints
How to use and what to draw?
Before using finger paints, clean your work area, prepare paints, stencils, a pack of dry wipes or a clean towel. Lay out an oilcloth tablecloth and dress the child in some comfortable clothes. If you don't have the stencils or templates included in the kit, take a simple, clean sponge, dip it in paint, and show your little one a new way to paint!
You can draw in the bathroom; to do this, you need to wash it and remove all extraneous things. It is recommended to wear old panties for the child.
Don't forget, you can't leave your baby alone with children's paints! This is not dangerous, but it can lead to a lot of cleaning and unproductivity.
Are there only 4 colors in the set? No problem, show your child how to mix finger paints right on the palm of his hand. Learn to paint a variety of wooden crafts, such as a cube or a boat, and use templates to draw various figures together in a fun and exciting way.
Here are some examples of what you can draw:
- Owl. Apply brown (mix yellow, red, blue) color to the handles, press your palm to the paper on the left side, then to the right (these will be the wings) and down (the tail). Using your fingers, draw the head with eyes and beak.
- Tree. With finger paints it is easy to depict a summer tree. To do this, just hold a long stick (trunk) with your finger and place green leaves with your hands. With a little imagination, tree templates can be turned into apple, pear or cherry trees.
- Birds. Dip your palm into the paint, spread your fingers and press all fingers except the thumb onto the paper - you will get wings. Add a head to the remaining thumb impression and add a black dot to create an eye.
- Rainbow. If you have sponges or a regular table sponge, it’s easy to draw a cheerful rainbow. Add a small amount of each color to one side of the sponge. If you don't have enough colors, you can simply mix the ones you need or make them from 5 colors of red, yellow, green, blue and purple. The palette can be anything - use your imagination and don’t focus on unimportant details. Now you need to press the sponge to the paper and draw an arc.
Paint with finger paints from trusted brands with the whole family or create finger paints with your own hands and enjoy your child’s first creative successes!
Master class on making finger paints (1 video)
Paints from different manufacturers (24 photos)
comparison table
To make it easier for the reader to choose from the paints presented in the review, I have summarized all their main characteristics in a visual comparison table.
Model | Number of packages | Colors | Volume of one package | Type of packaging | Age |
CENTRUM Finger paints My Little Pony | 4 things. | Yellow, red, green, blue. | 40 ml | Jar | From 3 years. |
Junlandia Finger paints Little Fox | 6 pcs. | Yellow, red, green, blue, orange, white | 60 ml. | Jar | from 3 years. |
JOVI Finger paints | 6 pcs. | Yellow, brown, green, blue, orange, white | 125 ml. | Jar | from 1.5 years |
Junlandia Finger paints Little hedgehog | 6 pcs. | Yellow, red, green, blue, black, white | 60 ml. | Jar | from 3 years. |
Junlandia Finger paints safari | 4 things | Yellow, red, green, blue. | 35 ml | Jar | from 3 years. |
Yunlandiya Fluorescent finger paints Neonchiki | 6 pcs | Yellow, red, green, blue, orange, pink | 60 ml | Jar | from 3 years. |
Danko Toys Finger paints My first creation | 4 things. | Blue, red, yellow, green. | 25 ml | Sachets | from 3 years. |
Molly Finger paints with stencil Fruit | 5 pieces. | Red, blue, green, yellow, brown. | 22 ml | Jar | from 6 months. |
Crayola finger paints | 4 things | Red, blue, yellow, red | 147 ml. | Jar. | From 2 years. |
Workplace
Before starting drawing lessons, set up a comfortable workspace for your child. Drawing on a stack of books in the mother's arms will either discourage the child from drawing at all, or will encourage him to choose a more comfortable place, for example, on the wall or on the carpet.
For the little ones, choose children's tables with adjustable heights, as well as adjustable chairs. You shouldn’t immediately buy your child an easel—not everyone likes to draw on it. But many people strive to “decorate” their wallpaper with a pattern, so a place for painting can also be arranged on the wall. For example, hang a large sheet of Whatman paper or a special board for chalk.
In any case, it is your child who should choose the material for drawing, and not you, otherwise, if the child doesn’t like something, you can discourage all desire for further creativity.
Best lists
After comparing the products on the market, I identified several favorites that especially impressed me with their quality and characteristics, which can be recommended for purchase first.
JOVI Finger paints – the largest set
This kit contains as many as 6 buckets of paint, 125 ml each, and the gel texture makes them even more economical, because a child can spread even a small pea on paper or any other surface for a long time. At the same time, the quality of JOVI paints is traditionally at its best - they are bright and mix well. There is even a hint sign on the side of the package telling you how to get a particular shade. There are no problems with cleaning with them either.
Crayola finger paints are the most economical
These paints come in large packages that last a long time. A significant advantage is also the presence of a dispenser - it allows parents to independently control the consumption of the product, and eliminates situations when a child, having climbed his hand into a jar, splashes all its contents onto the paper in one fell swoop.
In addition to economy, one can also note the high quality of the product and its safety. In addition, they do not cause problems such as stained clothes or marks on furniture - everything is easy to clean and wash off.
Yunlandiya Fluorescent finger paints Neonchiki – the most original
Neons are an excellent choice for older children who are already tired of regular colors. This set is distinguished by a good selection of colors, quality and safety, and their main advantage is, first of all, the ability to glow in the dark. Thanks to it, the paints are ideal for creating some interesting crafts for a child's room.
Pencils
Another material that not everyone likes. Compared to oil-based crayons, pencils are harder and require effort to achieve rich, vibrant color. But, of course, in order to decide which material is most convenient for your child to draw with, it is still worth buying the first pencils.
Choose soft triangular ones with a small number of colors in the set (12 colors are enough to decide whether you like it or not). Some manufacturers produce special sets for the smallest: they are triangular, with an increased diameter and with a large rod.
The benefits of finger paints
Playing with finger paints promotes the development of:
- Imaginations;
- Fine motor skills;
- Artistic taste;
- Creative abilities;
- Emotional sphere;
- Sensory.
By drawing with his fingers, the baby learns about the world, gains new tactile experience, trains his eye, and forms the simplest cause-and-effect relationships. In addition, the process also involves the areas of the brain responsible for speech, so children who frequently engage in such creativity begin to speak faster. Finger paints help a child cope with stress, improve his emotional background, and help him remember the names of primary colors and their combinations.
Finger painting - first acquaintance
Preparation for the process
- Select a surface to draw on. The bigger, the better. A sheet of Whatman paper works well, ideally if you have a piece of old wallpaper. The prints will be more interesting thanks to its texture, and the lessons will be more fruitful. You can draw in the bathroom. Another interesting option is an oilcloth tablecloth.
- Dress your child in things that you don’t mind ruining. The paint will be everywhere. You can wash it, but do you really want to spend extra effort on removing stains? It is better to select a set of clothes specifically for drawing classes.
- Place yourself away from soft sofas, armchairs and other pieces of furniture and decor that are difficult to wash.
How to paint with finger paints
The ability to draw with your hands without special tools provides ample scope for creativity. Imprints are made from the child's fingers, palms, and legs. For children under 3 years old, drawing will be spontaneous. Let your baby create without thinking about the shape and name. Show your child how he can leave fingerprints on a piece of paper, how he can draw lines or mix colors. Start learning with one can of paint, gradually increasing the number of colors to paint.
Gradually make the task more difficult, for example, paint your palm and place it against a sheet of paper. Show your child what imprint will be left from an open palm and from a palm with clenched fingers.
If your child remains indifferent to the process, do not be upset. This means that he is not ready yet. You can help him, show him, but don't insist.
You can also use stencils and stamps for drawing. Typically, stamps are sold in one set with finger paints. You can complete the creative set yourself: cut out the stencil from cardboard and cut off a small piece of sponge. Place the stencil on a piece of paper and give your child a sponge after dipping it in the paint.
You can also cut out shaped stamps from a sponge. Typically, painting with a sponge brings children complete delight.
Different prints are obtained from crumpled paper, fabric, or a plastic bag. Playing with texture will make drawing even more fun.
Templates for finger drawing on a sheet of paper will help you navigate.
Another option is special pictures for finger paints.
Thinking about how to teach a child to paint real objects with finger paints on their own: flowers, the sun, a house, animals, mom, dad, should not be earlier than 3 years. Don't get attached to templates. In the imagination of children, a flower may look completely different than in the imagination of adults.
Your task is to teach how to observe the real world, but not to alter your inner vision.
How to choose finger paints
First of all, make sure that the packaging is marked “finger paints,” otherwise you risk buying regular gouache. They are similar in appearance, but paints intended for finger painting have a safer composition, and therefore will not harm, even if a child tastes them. In addition, manufacturers add special bitter ingredients to them to make them bitter.
Safety
Always give preference to products from large brands - such manufacturers guarantee quality and safety, their paints do not cause allergic reactions. Before purchasing, ask the seller to show certificates for the goods - this way you will avoid counterfeits.
Age appropriate
Most child psychologists and teachers consider 10-11 months to be the optimal age for first acquaintance with them. At this time, the child is already sitting confidently and is able to understand what exactly needs to be done. For such kids, a basic set of 4 primary colors is enough. For children over three years old, sets with a large number of shades and additional accessories are suitable: special stamps and stencils.
Not all paints designed for ages 3+ should be given to younger children - they may contain components that are not intended for ingestion. On the other hand, age restrictions are often a measure of reinsurance on the part of the manufacturer, so each set should be evaluated separately, analyzing its composition.
Oil crayons (pastel)
This material should not be confused with the wax crayons that we had in our childhood. Wax crayons were based on wax; they did not write brightly and required effort. Oil pastels are distinguished by their softness and bright colors and can become the first drawing material for a child aged 2-3 years. You can draw absolutely anything with these crayons: mom, dad, cars, clouds, landscape.
The disadvantage of oil crayons is their fragility: you cannot drop them, throw them, press them hard, stand on them or sit on them.
As for color palettes, it is, of course, better to take a set right away, but one intended specifically for children, and not for professional artists. For the first time, 6-12 primary colors will be enough. Most often, each chalk is packed in a paper or plastic wrapper to prevent your hands from getting dirty. And some crayons have the shape of a pencil, which is even more convenient for drawing.
For your first creative activities, there is no need to buy special paper; regular printer paper will do.