finger paint

¹ American  

noun

1. a jellylike paint, used chiefly by children in painting, usually with their fingers.

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finger-paint ² American  

[fing-ger-peynt] / ˈfɪŋ gərˌpeɪnt /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to paint by using finger paints.

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Other Word Forms

• finger painting noun

Etymology

Origin of finger paint¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Origin of finger-paint²

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

It’s like the vague sense of unease when it’s been too long since your toddler made an appearance, and the cat and the finger paints are missing, too.

From Washington Post

It involves edible finger paints, candy “slime,” chocolate and more to make all sorts of candy items, including jewelry, candy food like pizza, crafts and treats.

From New York Times

She put aside finger paints when she won a songwriting award at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas; she released her first album, “There’s a Light Beyond These Woods,” in 1978.

From New York Times

It is the sort of thing you would tape to the fridge door if your kindergarten child created it with finger paints.

From Washington Times

Traditionally, kindergarten has been the doorway between early childhood and elementary education: a passage from finger paints to phonics, sandboxes to subtraction.

From Los Angeles Times