How to Make Coffee Art for Kids

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare your coffee paint

   Start by placing different amounts of instant coffee in your containers.  Then slowly add water, mixing to dissolve the coffee.
   
   Experiment with a variety of water-to-coffee ratios to achieve lighter or darker hues. Less water and more coffee will result in a more intense, darker color. Diluting your mixture with more water will create softer tones.
   
   

2. Choose your canvas

   Select a piece of watercolor paper or any thick paper suitable for painting. The absorbent nature of the paper will enhance the effects of the coffee paint! 
   
   You can also try painting directly onto blank notecards.

3. Let creativity flow

   Now comes the fun part—painting! Encourage kids to explore different techniques and styles. They can use broad strokes for bold effects, or fine details for intricate designs.
   
   Experiment with layering and blending to create depth and dimension. 
   
   You can begin with a plan, painting over a pencil drawing, or dive in straight away freestyle!
   
   

4. Embrace imperfection

   One of the beautiful aspects of instant coffee painting is its organic, imperfect nature. Embrace smudges, drips, and unexpected textures—they add character to the artwork and make each piece truly unique.
   
   

5. Enjoy your art!

   Allow the artwork to dry completely. Depending on the thickness of the paint and the absorbency of the paper, drying times may vary. Once dry, admire your masterpiece!