Special thanks to Amanda at Kiddio.org for inspiring this week’s $5 Friday activity — make your own sidewalk chalk paint! This is very inexpensive and easy to do. We had tons of fun with this and created a detailed space scene on the asphalt of our driveway. Lots of planets, stars, rockets, and comets!
The colors are quite vivid, and you can sneak in a quick lesson about color mixing and how to measure. Our driveway has a slight slope, so just as we were finishing up, Emily dumped the paint to make this “rainbow”.
To make your own homemade sidewalk chalk paint, you will need: 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, 2 tablespoons of water, and 4-5 drops of food coloring. Be sure to add the cornstarch and THEN the water so it mixes up a little easier. Emily really enjoyed making this paint!
“Can’t we stay out here forever?”
Here’s the breakdown of how we spent our entertainment money today:1 pound box of cornstarch (store brand) — $2.25
1 box food coloring (on sale) — $2.50
Total Spent = $4.75
I should also note that we use food coloring for LOTS of projects, and this only calls for a few drops. Also, I had lots of cornstarch left over, so we will be using that for future projects as well.
March 27th, 2009 on 5:03 pm
Fun idea. One thing you can make with the extra corn starch is “quick sand.” You mix the corn starch with water until it runs through your fingers, but can still be grabbed in your hands. Take plastic animals and have them sink. My eldest loved this (and we spent $20 on the kit,which was really just the corn starch, a tray, two animals and a measuring cup —oh and blue food coloring).
March 27th, 2009 on 5:51 pm
We did this last summer, and it was so much fun for Little Bear! I am looking forward to trying it this year, now that Pufferfish is old enough to enjoy it too!
March 27th, 2009 on 6:13 pm
I will so be doing this. This is great. I spend a ot on that side walk paint, but this is going to be a lot cheaper.Thanks for sharing.
March 27th, 2009 on 6:38 pm
These are so simple and inexpensive! Thanks, I’m going to make some.
March 27th, 2009 on 9:12 pm
Fun Fun Fun! I can’t wait to try this! My poor Maddie has been sick all week, but she really wants to get outside. This looks like a great activity to get her outdoors, but not tire her out as she recovers.
March 28th, 2009 on 2:05 am
Thank you for this recipe and idea! I love cheap things that we already have at home!!!
March 28th, 2009 on 1:41 pm
@ Ivy — Oh, I love the quick sand idea! We will definitely be trying it out.. thanks!
@ jennwa — I know what you mean. I have seen similar kits of sidewalk chalk paint for as much as $27!! Much cheaper (and more fun) to make it yourself.
@ sunnymama — You are very welcome!
@ aprilfoolwed — Oh, I hope Maddie feels better soon! Please let me know how she likes it… I would love to hear all about it!
@ bobbi — You’re welcome!
March 28th, 2009 on 5:31 pm
We’ll be mixing up a batch — thanks! I love the premise of you blog and will be back to check out more Frugal ideas!! Thanks! Found you via Ramblings of a Crazy Woman.
March 30th, 2009 on 1:31 pm
Ohhhhhh, never realized we could MAKE this stuff! Fun!
April 2nd, 2009 on 9:40 am
This has been one of our very favorite projects and I’m so happy to see that you’re enjoying it! Thanks for the link
xo, amanda
April 3rd, 2009 on 1:04 pm
That looks like great fun! Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
June 30th, 2009 on 6:08 pm
My boys and I had SO much fun trying this out last night. I linked to this post in my blog. Thanks for posting!
April 30th, 2010 on 7:47 am
We are going to try this out today!!! I can't wait