Pudding Paint Color Swirl Art

Vanilla pudding — instant mix or pre-made cups

Food coloring in 2-3 colors

Small bowls for mixing

High chair with tray

Large bib or smock

Prepare vanilla pudding according to the package or open pre-made cups. You need about half a cup total.

Divide the pudding into small bowls and stir a different food coloring into each one. Go bold with the colors.

Drop spoonfuls of each colored pudding onto the high chair tray, spacing them apart.

Show your baby how to drag a finger through the pudding to make lines and swirls. Model it first.

Let your baby explore freely. Smearing, squishing, finger-poking, and tasting are all part of the creative process. This is fully edible.

Take a photo of the swirl patterns from above before cleanup. The marbled effect of mixed pudding colors is genuinely beautiful.

Wipe the tray and hands clean with a warm damp cloth.

Check for dairy allergies before using pudding. For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream blended with a little cornstarch.

Strip your baby down to a diaper for this one. The pudding gets everywhere and that is perfect.

Start with just two contrasting colors. Red and blue or yellow and blue create the most satisfying swirls.

For older babies around 9 to 12 months, try placing a piece of paper on the tray under the pudding. When you peel it up, you get a print to keep.

This pairs beautifully with bath time — do the pudding art, then head straight to the tub.