Candy To Craft: Conversation Heart Painting

Okay, so I'll admit it — I get a little carried away at the sight of all of the newly arrived holiday merchandise. I can't help but grab a few bags of themed candy, a few fun things for a holiday sensory bin and possibly some wacky, tacky nail decals for a special manicure night with my daughter.

But every year, without fail, I forget that conversation hearts taste like chalk and have no business calling themselves a candy. (Much like their fall cousin, candy corn.)

Rather than throw them out, I love coming up with cute alternatives — and this conversation heart candy paint was the perfection solution for us!

What you'll need:

• 20 conversation hearts in each colour of paint you want to make
• 2-3 tbsp of water for each colour
• plastic bag for each colour
• kitchen mallet
• mason jar for each colour
• paintbrush
• paper or cardstock
• kitchen towel or a rag

Have the kids help you separate the colours and count out 20 conversation hearts to make their paint.

You'll Also Love: Sweet And Easy Gift: Fingerprinted Love Tokens

Place one colour of conversation hearts in a plastic bag and have the kids use the kitchen mallet to smash them into a fine powder.

Pour the powder into a mason jar and stir in water. You may need to do some additional crushing with the back of your spoon as you stir your concoction into a cohesive mixture. Add an additional tablespoon of water as needed.

Once the powder is mostly mixed in, you're ready to paint! We used card stock because it's thicker, but watercolour paper would work, too.

You'll Also Love: DIY Bath Paints: Kid & Tub Safe

These paints turned out vibrant and glossy — and they smell amazing! They work and behave just like normal paints, going on smooth and washing off with water.

This conversation heart paint is perfect for making deliciously-scented, homemade valentines. I tried this activity with my five-year-old daughter and my daycare crew (ranging in age from one to three-years-old) and it was a hit with all of the kids.

A bonus for this paint is because you're making it with candy it's completely edible (just like our chocolate paint), making it a great paint to use in mixed aged groups or with your toddler who loves to taste everything.

Would your kids love to make this scented, edible conversation heart paint? Be sure to pin it for later and share with your friends!