I went searching on the web for a recipe for sidewalk paint. Of course you can buy it but who wants to pay an arm and a leg for something that you can make for just pennies!
Ingredients:
Equal amounts of cornstarch and cold water (1/4 cup is a good amount)
Drops of food coloring
Directions:
1. Place cornstarch in a small plastic container (use one with a wide base for tipping reasons) and gradually stir in the cold water.
2. Add the desired amount of food coloring and stir.
3. Add a little more water until you get the consistency you prefer.
4. Repeat the process to create different colors.
My thoughts:
1. I had a lot of fun but the kids didn’t last as long. It takes several dippings into the paint to make a simple line. Because of this…
2. I would not use this activity to work on letters, numbers, shapes, etc. It is more for the painting aspect.
3. The paint dries very quickly (in lower 80 degree weather) and is very smooth to the touch. You can see in the picture below – the blue is not dry and the green is. The paint does NOT dry like sidewalk chalk – you can touch it and it doesn’t rub off.
4. Very little water washes it all away.
5. I had trouble with my brush gumming up towards the end. Not sure if a different brush would have made a difference or if it was just the heat or it needed more water??? Will have to keep working on that one 🙂
6. 1/4 cup makes quite a bit of paint for a preschooler’s attention span. Just keep that in mind. I have read on a few websites that you can put a lid on the leftover paint and it will stay good – have not tried this though.
7. I found this a lot less messy compared to sidewalk chalk that gets all over the clothes, shoes, and body.
8. I look forward to doing this again as I think the kids will do much better now that we have it figured out.
Have you had an experience with sidewalk paint?? Share with us!
