New and Improved Sidewalk Paint

I always surprise myself at how much adults respond to summer fever.  I’m a (mostly) stay at home mom and right now none of my children are in elementary school, but my kids and I still respond to the idea of summer.  We longingly wait for the weather to turn from windy and cool to hot and still.  We can no longer hear the recess bell of the elementary school behind our house, and William screeches every morning, “I can wear shorts!”  The temperature is steadily rising, as is our water bill.  😉  Summer is always a perfect opportunity to invite your child to do something new, such as painting the sidewalk, instead of drawing on it.  Today I want to share our new and improved sidewalk chalk paint recipe.

New and Improved Sidewalk Chalk Paint Recipe

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The recipe is as follows:

1/2 cup corn starch

1 1/2 cups water

food coloring

 

Mix together corn starch and water in a microwave safe bowl.  Once most of the lumps have been mixed out, microwave on high for one minute.  Stir.  Microwave for another minute.  Stir.  Allow to cool slightly, so the mixture is warm and not hot.  The consistency should be that of gravy or syrup dripping off the spoon.  If it is too thick, add water as needed.  Divide into muffin tins and add food coloring as desired.

 

This recipe differs from others in that the cornstarch and water solution is cooked, causing the mixture to thicken.  This is important because cornstarch has a tendency to sink to the bottom and will not fully mix with water without heat.

Now, find some paintbrushes you don’t mind being used very roughly, (dollar stores typically sell them in packs), and let your kiddies have at the fun.

 

My kiddies soon noticed the dripping effect which quickly inspired some Jackson Pollock work…on the back patio and on ourselves, so certainly don’t wear your Sunday clothing.  Strict rules require play clothing only and the food coloring may stain!

And, another note of food coloring staining…I’ve read in other posts that the food coloring may stain your sidewalk or patio.  I imagine the longer the paint is left, the more it may stain.  As you can see in the photo above, the paint was mostly dried, and it dried in vivid colors because I used about ten drops of food coloring per muffin tin color.  That’s a lot of food coloring.  However, the paint was left on the back patio for several hours, and when I washed it off it did leave the slightest coloring behind.  (Not enough for my husband to notice, though).  The next day, however, the coloring was gone.  I suppose the sun bleached out the food coloring stains just as it bleached cloth diapers when our grandmothers hung out the laundry.  Don’t take my word for it, though, use caution.

Enjoy!