Let Your Kids Make Their Own Sidewalk Chalk While Summer Is Still Here

child playing hopscotch on sidewalk colored with chalk or paint

Kids have wonderful imaginations, and when they step outside, they can find a handy canvass for their creativity right under their feet. Help your kids explore their artistic side this summer with this easy DIY sidewalk “chalk” paint.

What You’ll Need

To make your own sidewalk chalk, you won’t actually need any chalk at all. You’ll just need a few simple ingredients and some basic equipment, and you might even have it all at home already.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups corn starch
  • 3 cups water
  • 4-6 varieties of food coloring

Tools:

  • 1 large bowl for mixing
  • 4-6 small bowls, or a muffin pan with 6 cups.
  • A spoon for mixing
  • Paint brushes

Keep in mind that you can adjust the measurements to create less chalk if you don’t need that much.  If you need to loosen up the starch mix, add more water. If you need it to thicken, add more corn starch.

Making the Sidewalk Chalk

In your large bowl, mix the water and corn starch until the consistency is smooth and without any clumps. Next, divide the mix evenly among your smaller bowls, then add a few drops of food coloring into each container, keeping one color per container. With your spoon, mix in each color until fully incorporated. You might notice that the corn starch will start to settle to the bottom of each container over time, so you’ll have to give each bowl a quick stir to keep everything properly mixed.

Painting and Cleaning

The “chalk” is now ready for use, and you and your artists can apply it easily to concrete with regular paint brushes. When it’s time to clear the concrete canvas, you’ll find that a hose can easily wash away the paint. You could also let your artists’ creations stay in place until the next rain comes.

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Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.