Looking for an easy outdoor activity that will keep the kids entertained for hours? This homemade sidewalk chalk paint recipe is one of our favorite summer crafts! Made with just three simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, this DIY sidewalk paint is colorful, washable, inexpensive, and so much fun.

If your kids love drawing with sidewalk chalk, they’re going to LOVE painting the driveway instead. The bright colors show up beautifully on concrete, and the entire driveway becomes one giant canvas for creative play.

Best of all, this DIY sidewalk paint washes away with rain or a garden hose, making cleanup just as easy as the fun!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Sidewalk Paint

Only 3 simple ingredients
Ready in less than 5 minutes
Budget-friendly
Great for toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids
Perfect for summer afternoons
Encourages creativity and outdoor play
Washes away just like sidewalk chalk

I originally made this project for the kids…but I’ll admit it—I had just as much fun painting the driveway as they did! There is something incredibly satisfying about turning your sidewalk into a giant work of art.

Supplies You’ll Need

Cornstarch
Cold water
Food coloring
Small bowls, cups, or muffin tin
Paintbrushes

That’s it!

Everything can usually be found right in your pantry.

Homemade Sidewalk Paint Recipe

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how incredibly simple it is.

Ingredients

1 part cornstarch
1 part cold water
Food coloring

Directions

Combine equal parts cornstarch and cold water.
Stir well. At first the mixture will seem thick and lumpy.
Keep stirring until the cornstarch dissolves into a smooth, milk-like consistency.
Add several drops of food coloring and stir again.
Pour each color into individual cups or bowls.

Your sidewalk paint is now ready to use!

How Much Food Coloring Should You Use?

I used about four drops of food coloring per color, and the paint showed up beautifully on our driveway.

If you’d like brighter colors, simply add more food coloring.

Keep in mind:

More food coloring creates more vibrant paint.
Too much food coloring could slightly stain certain types of concrete.

If you skip the food coloring altogether, your sidewalk paint will dry white.

Helpful Tips

Stir Before Using

Cornstarch naturally settles to the bottom if the paint sits for a while.

Simply give each cup a quick stir before painting and it’ll be ready to use again.

Use a Muffin Tin

Instead of individual cups, pour each color into the sections of a muffin tin.

This works especially well if:

You have several kids painting.
You want each child to have access to every color.
You want fewer spills.

Time to Paint!

Now comes the fun part!

Grab your paintbrushes and head outside.

Kids can paint:

Rainbows
Flowers
Butterflies
Hopscotch boards
Giant murals
Favorite characters
Positive messages
Abstract artwork

Or simply let their imaginations take over.

The driveway becomes one giant canvas!

Does Sidewalk Paint Wash Off?

Yes!

One of the reasons we love this sidewalk paint recipe is because it’s temporary.

The paint generally washes away with:

Rain
A garden hose
Regular outdoor wear

We also found that any paint that got on our clothes washed right out in the laundry.

A Few Things to Know

After sitting in the sun for several hours, our bright colors faded and dried mostly white.

If you want richer colors for longer, you can add a bit more food coloring.

Just remember that extra food coloring slightly increases the chance of staining certain surfaces, so test a small area first if you’re concerned.

What Can Kids Paint?

Need a little inspiration?

Here are a few fun sidewalk painting ideas:

Giant flowers
Roads for toy cars
Obstacle courses
Hopscotch
Mazes
Rainbows
Under-the-sea scenes
Favorite animals
Positive quotes
Self portraits

I also have a list of drawing prompts to get the ideas flowing!

If your kids need even more inspiration, be sure to check out my post with 15 Fun Sidewalk Games for Kids. The long jump challenge is still one of our favorites!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make sidewalk paint without cornstarch?

Cornstarch gives the paint its smooth consistency and helps it stick to the sidewalk. While there are other recipes online, this simple three-ingredient version is our favorite because it’s easy, inexpensive, and washes away well.

Is homemade sidewalk paint washable?

Yes! It typically washes away with rain or a garden hose. Clothing also cleaned up easily in our experience.

Can toddlers use sidewalk paint?

Absolutely! This is a fun sensory activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Adult supervision is recommended, especially with younger children.

How do you store leftover sidewalk paint?

Store it in an airtight container for a day or two. Before using it again, stir thoroughly since the cornstarch will settle to the bottom.

If your kids loved making homemade sidewalk paint, they’ll also enjoy:

The best Summer crafts and activities

Final Thoughts

This homemade sidewalk paint recipe has become one of our favorite summer traditions. It’s inexpensive, easy to make, and provides hours of creative outdoor fun for kids (and adults too!).

Whether you’re painting rainbows, writing encouraging messages, or creating colorful masterpieces across the driveway, this DIY sidewalk paint is a simple activity that’s perfect for warm summer days.

So grab some cornstarch, water, and food coloring, and let the creativity begin!

This fun project is for kids….but is it? I’m not going to lie, I had so much fun doing this as well! I mean. Painting on sidewalks. One giant canvas! Yes please!

Save for later

Too busy to get crafting today? No problem! Pin this post to remind yourself about this project later! Sharing my projects helps me reach more people, allowing me to continue sharing free content!

Homemade Sidewalk Paint Recipe (Easy DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint for Kids)

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Sidewalk Paint

Supplies You’ll Need