Easy DIY Chalk Paint Recipe for Kids (Only 3 Ingredients!)

If you’ve never made DIY chalk paint before, you’re in for a treat! All you need is cornstarch, water, and food coloring to create a colorful, slightly messy, memory-making masterpiece.

I first tried this with my daughter Ella when she was four, and we had an absolute blast.
She loved mixing up bright colors and turning our back patio into her personal art gallery.

(Also: if you’re looking for other messy [but easy-to-clean] projects, check out my simple DIY slime recipe or this fun oil and water experiment for kids!)

This simple recipe is perfect for sunny afternoons, and best of all—cleanup is a breeze!

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Supplies Needed

To make your DIY chalk paint, gather these simple supplies:

• Cornstarch
  
• Water
  
• Food coloring (in your favorite colors)
  
• Muffin tin (or bowls for mixing)
  
• Spoons or whisk (for stirring)
  
• Paintbrushes (for applying the paint)
  
• Optional: Paper towels or cloth (for cleanup)

How to Make DIY Chalk Paint 

Making this DIY chalk paint is quick and easy! Here’s how to do it:

1. Mix the base: In your muffin tin (or bowls), add 2 parts water to 1 part cornstarch. For example, use 1/4 cup water and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch for each color you plan to make.
   
2. Stir it up: Use a spoon or whisk to mix the water and cornstarch until smooth. You want a creamy, thick consistency with no lumps.
   
3. Add color: Drop in a few drops of food coloring into each section of your muffin tin. Stir well to mix the color into the paint. Feel free to add more drops for a deeper shade!
   
4. Adjust as needed: If the paint is too thick, add a little more water. If it’s too runny, add a bit more cornstarch. Aim for a consistency similar to that of regular paint.
   
5. Get painting: Now you’re ready to start painting! Use the paint brushes to create beautiful designs on your driveway, sidewalk, or any outdoor surface.

Tips for Best Results

• Stir occasionally: As you use the paint, it may start to separate. Simply stir it every once in a while to keep the consistency smooth and prevent clumps.
  
• Perfect painting surface: We painted on our back patio, which worked great! Any flat outdoor surface like a driveway, sidewalk, or even a patio is ideal for this project. Just make sure it’s dry before you start!
  
• Washable and easy cleanup: The best part? Cleanup is a breeze! After we were done painting, I just sprayed the patio with the hose, and it washed right away. No scrubbing necessary!
  
• Adjust color intensity: Feel free to add more food coloring if you want bolder, brighter colors. Just a few extra drops can make a big difference!

Creative Play Ideas

• Sidewalk masterpieces: Let your kids go wild creating colorful designs on the driveway or sidewalk. You can make a giant mural or let them explore their imagination with free-form art.
  
• Paint the water table: One of Ella’s favorite things to do was paint her water table! She was so surprised when I told her she could paint it, and she had so much fun transforming it with bright colors. The best part? It washed off easily with a quick rinse afterward!
  
• Outdoor games: Use the chalk paint to make games like hopscotch, a tic-tac-toe board, or even a giant maze. It’s a fun way to combine creativity and physical activity!
  
• Color mixing fun: Set up different colors and let your little ones experiment by mixing them together. They’ll love seeing new shades appear before their eyes!
  

Safety and Storage

• Safety first: This DIY chalk paint is made with non-toxic ingredients, making it safe for kids to use. However, it’s not intended to be eaten, so just remind little ones to keep it on the painting surfaces!
  
• No storage needed: This paint is best used fresh. Since we didn’t store any leftover paint, I simply rinsed out the muffin tin while I hosed down the backyard. It washed away easily, and we didn’t need to worry about storing any extra paint.
  
• Cleanup tips: As mentioned, cleanup is quick and simple! The paint easily rinses off outdoor surfaces with a hose, and it won’t leave stains on most patios or driveways.

Making DIY chalk paint is such a simple yet fun way to engage kids in creative outdoor play. Whether you’re painting the sidewalk, creating colorful games, or, like we did, transforming a water table into a masterpiece, this project offers endless opportunities for fun and learning. Best of all, cleanup is a breeze, so you can focus on enjoying the time spent with your little ones instead of stressing over the mess!

If you’re looking for more ways to keep your kids entertained and inspired, be sure to check out some of our other hands-on projects, like creating a fun sensory bin that encourages imaginative play or making your own play dough for endless crafting adventures. I also have a post about the best fall sensory bin that’s perfect for cozying up with the kids on cooler days.

I hope you give this DIY chalk paint a try, and if you do, be sure to share your colorful creations! I’d love to hear how it went in the comments below or over on Instagram.