summer journal: chalk paint

August 1st, 2012

homemade chalk paints

I never seem to remember to buy sidewalk chalk, but we always have the ingredients on hand for chalk paint. Making chalk paint is super easy; drawing with chalk paint takes a bit of practice.

chalk paint log cabin

Our first attempt turned out mostly colorful blobs, but the second time was a success. I was doodling quilt squares [sewing nerd!] and my kids wanted to learn how to make them too. They told me their log cabins had roofs, obviously.

corn starch + food coloring + water = chalk paint

chalk paint

materials

  • muffin tin
  • corn starch
  • food coloring (the cheapy kind, not the gel kind)
  • water

directions

  1. Put one tablespoon of corn starch in each muffin tin cup.
  2. Mix in a tablespoon of water (or a smidge more) into each cup.
  3. Put one drop of food coloring in each cup.
  4. Mix well.
  5. Grab a paint brush and go outside!

chalk toes

Be warned, fingers and toes will get painted.

chalk paints

But other cool stuff will be painted too!

 

Posted in craft.

14 Responses to summer journal: chalk paint

  1. jess says:

    this is beyond awesome.

  2. When my daughter, now 20, was quite young, we happened upon actual chalk paint at a store. We liked it so much that we made our own. This is a superb activity and a nice tutorial. Very awesome, Meg!

  3. lynn says:

    we love chalk paint-we mix up a big bowl before pouring it into our muffin tray. try it thickened up some-it’s a big hit when it dries=sort of smooth and glaze-like! (and thanks for the hula hoop diy idea-we’re gonna try it soon).

  4. kristin says:

    yay, you blogged this! the recipe i found online called for 1/2 c corn starch and 1/2 c water (not enough water, i ended up doing more like 1 cup). it looked great when it dried…but we totally had to go buy more corn starch! anyway, best summer activity yet.

  5. cheryl says:

    I love the way that it looks!

  6. Liz says:

    Awesomeness. The paintings look so lovely and the little one’s too.

  7. Aimee says:

    I saw this yesterday at the perfect time, my 7,6,5 and 4 year old were growing quite restless while the 2 year old napped. So I quickly made the paint for 30 min or so of fun so mom could get a few things done inside! THANKS!!!!!

  8. trula says:

    Lovely idea and great pictures. I like the softness of the colours.
    Btw, did you ever get my e-mail on kcwc ideas?

  9. wow! I have to make this. I’m going to ‘pin’ this. hope thats okay!

  10. Melissa says:

    Love it, we’ve used it several times since reading your post. Thanks for sharing!

  11. My daughter loves this stuff, too. She’s more of a dumper than a painter, and she always needs a shower after, but it’s a lot of messy fun! Here’s our experience: http://www.sarahewhite.com/?p=1385

  12. Jan Winje says:

    question: does it come off the surface easily????? I’d like to use it on a blackboard…….
    thanks for the recipe and the inspiration.