DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint

...And we're back!

 

It's been a looooooooooooong time since I last posted, but I'm so glad to be back to blogging!  I've saved up lots of great ideas and will hopefully, *fingers crossed*, be able to share one of them with you daily.

 

Yesterday, between our town's Fourth of July parade and the late-evening fireworks, my kids seemed to be just wandering around, looking for something to get into do.  I had seen recipes for homemade sidewalk chalk around the web, but hadn't had a chance to whip some up.  So I thought this would be the perfect opportunity, especially on a bright and sunny day!

 

The surprising part was that it was so easy and simple to make.  Don't you love recipes like that?!  Two ingredients + food color = BAM!  You're done!  Homemade sidewalk chalk paint!

 

 

Sidewalk Chalk Paint

• 2 T. corn starch
• 4 T. water
• food coloring

Directions

• Mix corn starch and water together in a muffin tin. (You could also use small bowls or whatever you have on hand.)
• Add food coloring to each "cup" in the muffin tin.
• Mixing different food colors is also a great opportunity for a lesson in color mixing.  We mixed: red + yellow = orange and red + blue = purple.

*Keep in mind that for younger kids (babies, toddlers, preschoolers), this paint is technically edible.  I'm thinking that you'll probably get a pretty disgusted look if your little one tries it though!  Please make sure to always supervise your child with activities like this.

 



Sweet Pea (my 7 year old) went straight to work, planning and painting our sidewalk.  Since it was July 4th, she decided to paint fireworks.  She noticed right away that as she painted and the paint dried, it changed to a lighter shade.  She thought it was pretty cool to watch the paint change right before her eyes!

 Pretty cool, huh?

 

 

Shortly after, Tough Guy (my 13 year old) came out to paint a message to our neighbors:

Happy 4th of July!

 

 

Yes, even the middle schooler wanted to participate.  They loved this, and it was so quick, easy and cheap to throw together.  We used chunky paint brushes for most, but Sweet Pea wanted a thinner brush for some of her details.  Painting the sidewalk "canvas" is definitely a first for us, but I'm sure we'll be doing it again and again this summer!

 

The sidewalk chalk paint dries like regular sidewalk chalk, and will wash off with rain or water.  Give it a try - your kids will love it!

 

See ya tomorrow!