Sidewalk paint: the sweet sweet sounds of spring

by Jen Creer (Subscribe to Jen Creer's posts) Apr 19th 2006 10:34AM

Do you hear that? Listen... It's the sound of a quiet house after school. My house is getting quieter these days because Spring has officially arrived. My children are shedding their backpacks on the kitchen floor and racing from the backdoor to the freedom of the front porch as fast as their little legs will carry them. In past years, I have had some trouble trying to convince my boisterous boys that going outside was a good idea. "But there are bugs." They say. "They won't hurt you." I say.

"Can I take a book?" They say. "No." I say. But I found something this weekend while shopping for Easter baskets that has gotten the kids outside without any coaxing. What? Did the title give it away? Yes! Sidewalk paint! Am I coming late to the party? Does everybody know and love this stuff? I mentioned it to two of my neighbors and they didn't seem to know anything about it. I know I would have noticed it before. I've always been a big fan of sidewalk chalk-- but this stuff rocks! The kids can paint rocks, paint sticks, paint the sidewalk, paint the tulips, they can paint anything, and a little rain will wash it away. On really hot days, you can just hose the kids off before they come back into the house.

And the best thing of all? The kids really seem to love it. And anything that gets them voluntarily out in the sunshine is worth the $9.99 I shelled out for it.

Comments (8)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

cee 4-19-2006 @ 11:24AM

I have never seen this. It looks like something my kids would just love. I will have to look for it today while I am at Target. Thanks for the tip :).

momma2mingbu 4-19-2006 @ 11:42AM

We had some of this last year and the kids love it. May have to buy another package! The Easter Bunny did leave plenty of sidewalk chalk already. :)

cee 4-19-2006 @ 2:20PM

I looked at Target and could not find the paint. Where did you get it? I don't like the chalk because it gets too dusty and one of my sons has asthma and allergies and that dust is so bad for him. The paint sounds so much cleaner, in a way lol.

ann adams 4-19-2006 @ 2:43PM

Hi Jen. Welcome back or did I already say that?

So where did you buy it? We're covered up with sidewalk chalk but they still have four more days off school to survive. Paint sounds cool.

momma2mingbu 4-19-2006 @ 3:42PM

The last time I saw it in my Target, it was in the aisle with the art supplies.

Jennifer 4-19-2006 @ 4:35PM

You can make you own sidewalk paint with cornstarch, water and food coloring. I made some last season and it worked as well as the store bought kind. I was able to make lots of different colors.

momma2mingbu 4-19-2006 @ 8:12PM

Cool! Is there a "recipe" for the homemade paints? (Ratio of water to cornstarch?)

momma2mingbu 4-19-2006 @ 8:17PM

Ah ha!
I found this recipe online.....

Sidewalk Paint You'll need: 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/4 cup water 6-8 drops of food coloring Mix the cornstarch and cold water together. Add food coloring and stir. Repeat to make different colors. NOTE: This paint can be easily washed off with water and is great for painting large areas temporarily!!!

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