Sidewalk Chalk Paint Recipe

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Recipe for Play

My twins (18 months)* have really gotten into painting lately, and I prefer making homemade paints for them since they aren't past the oral stage yet.  One of the most simple recipes for homemade paint is sidewalk chalk paint.  There are only two ingredients, and prep time is literally two minutes.  There is no heavy mixing or cooking involved.  It really does not get any easier than this.

*Tank and Peanut were 18 months when I first wrote this post.  I recently updated it with new images.  They are now 35 months.

How to Make Sidewalk Chalk Paint

This post contains affiliate links. Here is my full disclosure policy.

Supplies:

• water
• cornstarch
• liquid watercolor paint or food coloring

Directions:  To make your own sidewalk chalk paint fill your container of choice halfway with cornstarch.  I like using muffin tins from Dollar Tree for homemade paint.  Add you choice of colors.  I prefer the vibrant shades of liquid watercolors, although I stick to food coloring with younger children.  Add water to the colored cornstarch and give a quick stir.  I always add the coloring before the water, because it distributes the color more evenly.  I don't measure anymore, but the first time I made sidewalk chalk paint I found that I prefer a ratio of 1 part water to 1.5 parts cornstarch.  It is a matter of preference.  Some people prefer equal parts.  In my opinion, you can't go wrong.  The chalk paint recipe is very forgiving.  If it's too think add water.  If it's too runny add cornstarch.  It really is that simple.

We've had the best luck using foam brushes with sidewalk chalk paint.

Sidewalk chalk paint dries lighter than it appears when wet.  This rainbow provides the perfect example.

Peanut cracked me up when he grabbed a towel to mop up some spilled paint. Sidewalk chalk paint can be messy, but is rinses away easily. You might want to test a small area of your driveway to be sure, although we've never had an issue with staining on our driveway or clothing. Here are tips for messy play as well as laundry tips to avoid stains and keep clothes bright.

For more homemade paint recipes follow me on Pinterest.

More sidewalk chalk paint recipes:

Erupting Rainbow Sidewalk Chalk Paint ~ Scented Sidewalk Chalk Paint ~ Apple Printing with Sidewalk Chalk Paint