Learn how to make sidewalk chalk paint and keep your children entertained all day long with this quick and easy kids art and craft activity! A great outdoor summer craft for kids!
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How to Make Sidewalk Chalk Paint:
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
- 2/3 cup Water
- Food Coloring
Mix together the water and cornstarch, and stir until the cornstarch dissolves. Our chalk paint recipe generally calls for a 1:1 ratio of cornstarch and water, but since we were painting on the sidewalk instead of paper, I incorporated just a bit more water and found that we liked it even better. We were able to paint longer brushstrokes without needing to reload the paintbrush with paint, which is always great for younger kids. Divide the paint mixture into the wells of a muffin tin or similar painting tray, and add food coloring to achieve the desired colors – note that the colors will dry much lighter on the sidewalk than they appear in the tin!
When the kids were done painting with the paintbrushes, they decided to paint their hands and feet and make hand/footprints on the sidewalk. They had a blast with it! The paint washes off their skin easily with soap and water, and we didn’t run into any problems with the food coloring staining their skin or the concrete.
Sidewalk Chalk Paint
What You’ll Need:
- Muffin Tin
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
- 2/3 cup Water
- Liquid Food Coloring
Instructions:
- Mix together the water and cornstarch, and stir until the cornstarch dissolves.
- Divide the paint mixture into the wells of a muffin tin or similar painting tray.
- Add food coloring to achieve the desired colors – note that the colors will dry much lighter on the sidewalk than they appear in the tin!
- Go Paint! Large kids paintbrushes work best, but any paintbrush will do!
Notes:
NOTE:
We didn’t have any problems with staining or clean up (our paint hosed cleanly away and easily washed off of the children with soap and water), but I cannot guarantee that the food coloring might not stain, especially if you have light or very porous concrete. Please use at your own discretion…it also works great on dark colored construction paper, so if you’re worried about clean up, that’s another fun way to try it out!
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If you like this easy DIY Sidewalk Chalk, don’t forget to pin it!
Michelle Newhouse says
Have you used it on the road? Halloween is near and i would like to make a designated walking area with cones and Halloween characters on the road for the kids to follow and be safe from cars. I do live near a busy street with no crosswalk and dimly lit corner.
I have 2 traffic cones and a bright light. All i need is something fun that will stand out on the rode for the kids to follow.
Heidi says
We’ve only used it on the sidewalk, but it’s plenty bright and easy to see! 🙂
jennifer says
my sister in law randomly found your blog on pinterest and sent me a screenshot of the pic of your two boys above painting – I also have a Sutton and a Sawyer (both girls tho). anyway – just thought that was completely random! especially Sutton – don’t hear it real often!
Heidi says
How funny! I definitely don’t hear of very many other Suttons! 🙂
Banner Printing says
Children spend vacation with painting that’s amazing.I like it, want to share it in FB.Thanks.signs ft lauderdale
Anonymous says
Have you tried using this on an actual chalk board? I would love to have a an alternative to drawing with chalk on my framed chalk board that I have to document my pregnancy.
Heidi @ Mom's Crafty Space says
Yes! We’ve used it on our outdoor chalkboards (homemade with plywood and chalkboard paint), and it works great. You may need to use a bit of water to help remove it as it tends to stick to the chalkboard more than normal chalk does.
Anonymous says
One question; does it stain their clothes? I’d love to do this with my sister’s kids and I need to know if I need to grab ‘play clothes’ for them.
Heidi @ Moms Crafty Space says
I’ve never had an issue with it staining clothes or the concrete since I use a pretty small amount of food coloring in ratio to the water/corn starch mix….but, I’d still probably use play clothes anyway, just in case! 🙂
Anonymous says
it stained my sidewalk and my daughters hands. The blue colors especially
Kellie says
Used your recipe today to make chalk paint paintballs. Heaps of fun. Gave you cred’s on my blog. Thanks a heaps for this awesome idea.You can see it if you like at http://halfdonemum.blogspot.com/2011/10/home-made-shooter-side-walk-paintballs.html Bye and thanks again.
Heidi @ Mom's Crafty Space says
@ Bumble Baybees – I tried replying to your comment via email, but you have your return address turned off 🙂
I have made this paint and left it out (covered) for a couple of days, and it has been fine. After about three days it does start to get a little stinky, so maybe just plan on making it the day before. Usually it doesn’t last that long around here anyway! I’ve never tried putting it in the fridge, so I’m not sure if that would help it keep longer 🙂
Bumble Baybees says
If you make it the night before will it stay covered in the fridge or just covered??? I am in love with this idea btw. We are having a “baby pool party” at our house. This will be the craft for the kids!!!
Meredith says
so fun! and: i LOVE your kids’ names! sawyer is on my list for sure;)YOURS, MINE AND OURS
mamathomas says
This is so cool! Love it, just in time for summer!
Deborah says
What a great idea for summer outdoor play and creativity!