How to Make Sidewalk Chalk Paint at Home

Engaging kids in a variety of coloring projects can develop fine motor skills and higher thinking skills, build their self-esteem, and aid them to recognize a variety of colors and hues.

Painting the sidewalk with chalk is a hands-on and an evergreen activity for kids. They can spend countless lazy afternoons creating beautiful masterpieces. So, we thought about taking this awesome playtime activity and putting a little spin to it.

When the weather is favorable and the kids are getting antsy indoors, make some homemade sidewalk chalk paint for an afternoon filled with excitement.

With only 3 primary ingredients and a 2-minute prep time, you can mix up a batch of vibrant chalk paint at home. But before we make the gorgeous and vibrant paint colors, gather all the items shown in the next image.

Step 1 - Keep all the items in front of you, on the workstation. First, take the mixing jar and add 1 cup of cornstarch in it.

Step 2 - Pour a cup of water in and use a fork to combine the mixture. Make sure the consistency of the mixture is not too runny.

Step 3 - Once there are no lumps in the liquid mixture, pour equal amounts into each muffin cup.

Step 4 - Add 2 - 6 drops of different food coloring into each muffin cup. If you want pastel shades, add 2 - 3 drops only. On the other hand, if you want bold, vibrant colors, add at least 5 - 6 drops of food coloring. Apart from food coloring, you can also use watercolor paint as well.

Step 5 - Use the same fork to mix the colors properly. And with this, the sidewalk chalk paint is ready for use.

Take the muffin pan outside and use sponge or paint brushes to create breathtaking art. As the kids are having fun, don't forget to click lots and lots of pictures.

Even though the mentioned recipe is easy to follow and requires absolutely no effort whatsoever, learning a few additional recipes won't hurt. Here are 4 extra homemade sidewalk chalk recipes.

Recipe 1 - In a mixing jar, combine 1 cup cornstarch, 1 cup water, and ½ cup baking soda with a fork. Pour the mixture into small bowls and add a few drops of different food coloring in each bowl. Mix one more time and have fun painting the sidewalk.

Recipe 2 - Take a mixing jar to combine a packet of Kool-Aid with 2 cups of water and 3 cups of cornstarch. Empty the mixture in a squeeze bottle; make 3 - 5 different colored chalk paint following this recipe.

Recipe 3 - Fill 3 - 4 small bowls halfway up with all-purpose flour. Add a little bit of water and food coloring to make a slightly thick paste. Combine everything with individual paint brushes and use this chalk paint immediately.

Recipe 4 - If you have some sidewalk chalk in your home, you can turn it into paint in no time. Simply smash the chalk colors into a powder form―don't mix different-colored chalks with each other―and empty it into small bowls. Add enough water to make a thick paste, and it's ready for use.

* Avoid using Plaster of Paris to prepare sidewalk chalk paint as it hardens once prepared. Also, cleaning the sidewalk afterwards is a nightmare.

Invite other kids from the neighborhood to join you in this interesting and exciting activity. And don't worry about the kids making too much of a mess. Just grab the hose after they're all done, and wash the sidewalk to remove all the evidence.