Veronika is almost old enough to start making her first works of art, but there’s one problem with this girl: everything goes in her mouth! The solution, if your baby is the same, is edible paint.

Today, I whipped up a batch of vanilla pudding (Whole Foods 365 is vegan). Let the pudding chill in the fridge, then add food coloring for “paint” colors.

I gave Veronika a paint brush, which instantly made her look so proud; she’s seen big brother paint, and now it was her turn.

Turn a little of the pudding paint out onto a highchair tray (or tape down paper, if you prefer) and let your little artist go to town.

First she just made a few smears. Then she wanted to focus more on the paintbrush. Once the tip of it got in her mouth and she discovered the pudding was yummy…

…her smile was priceless. Then she really got her hands into the mix.

I showed her how to make circles and squares, plus a few letters.

Soon we had green, where or blue and yellow “paints” had mixed.

This was a fantastic foray into the world of art, as she nears 10 months old!