Taste-Safe Finger Painting for Babies

Plain yogurt (unflavored, full-fat works best)

Food coloring in 2-3 colors

Small bowls for mixing

High chair with a tray

Large bib or smock

Mix plain yogurt with a few drops of food coloring in small bowls to create two or three bright colors. Start with primary colors — red, yellow, and blue are easiest to see.

Place your baby in a high chair and put a large bib or smock on them. Roll sleeves up if needed.

Spoon a small dollop of each color onto the high chair tray, spacing them apart.

Let your baby touch, smear, and explore the paint with their hands. You may need to gently guide one hand to the paint at first.

Narrate what you see — "You're touching the red! Look at the swirls you made!" Name colors, describe motions, and mirror their excitement.

If your baby brings hands to mouth, that is completely fine. The entire point of this recipe is that every ingredient is edible.

When interest fades, wipe hands and tray clean with a warm cloth.

Use full-fat yogurt for the best consistency — it sticks to the tray and fingers better than low-fat.

Lay an old towel under the high chair for easy cleanup. This will get messy and that is the whole point.

Try this activity right before bath time so cleanup is seamless.

If your baby seems hesitant, put your own finger in the paint first and make marks. Babies love imitating.

For an allergy-friendly version, blend cooked sweet potato or avocado with food coloring instead of yogurt.