Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Looking for a crafty kids activity? Homemade sidewalk paint is very easy to mix up using a few ingredients and any color of food coloring. We made this simple colored sidewalk chalk paint and my kids really enjoyed painting the sidewalk in front of our house.

DIY Chalk Paint Ingredients

1 cup water
1 1/2 cups cornstarch
2 tbsp. baking soda
3-4 drops food coloring

It’s important to use mild, water-soluble ingredients and colorants that won’t damage your sidewalk or driveway.

First, mix together the water, cornstarch and baking soda until fully combined. The baking soda helps keep the cornstarch from getting all goopy. Next, divide the white paint up into several small containers. Finally, add several drops of water-soluble food coloring. Stir until the color is fully incorporated and even.

The sidewalk chalk paint starts off white at first until you add the food coloring. I divided our DIY sidewalk chalk paint into a mini muffin tin so we could make lots of colors.

Kids will have lots of fun painting with this homemade sidewalk chalk paint! Make sure to use water-soluble colorants in your chalk paint. Food coloring won’t stain the sidewalk but other colorants such as soap dye could stain.

In our experience, the food coloring easily washed off the sidewalk with water. The chalk paint left a little bit of white cornstarch residue behind, which quickly dried up and wore off. You can always spray your sidewalk with the hose to get this sidewalk chalk paint completely off.

This colorful sidewalk chalk paint is a great afternoon project for kids to enjoy outdoors on a nice day. Kids can help to make DIY chalk paint too!

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Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!