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How to Make Chalk Paint for Kids

by Rachel Withers
June 12, 2024
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Here’s our quick and easy recipe for how to make chalk paint. Make a batch and use it for a fun outdoor art activity for kids.

Updated May 2024

Each spring, we whip up a batch of chalk paint. For us, it’s the time of year where the snow has melted, the days are starting to warm up and it’s fun to move our art outdoors again.

This recipe for how to make chalk paint is super simple and uses equal parts cornstarch and water. (Coincidentally, these are also the ingredients for how to make oobleck, but uses a different ratio.)

make chalk paint pin
Photo by Rachel Withers

How to Make Chalk Paint

MATERIALS

Time needed: 10 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Prep

    To start with, find plastic or metal containers deep enough to mix the materials in the container directly. Gather a whisk, measuring cups, corn starch, and water.

    materials for how to make chalk paint

  2. Mix ingredients

    Chalk paint is a 1 to 1 ratio of cornstarch to water, so this recipe is very adaptable. I like to mix up the paint colors directly in the containers, but you might choose to mix up a bigger batch, then pour the paint into the containers for coloring. The world is your oyster!

    Scoop 1 cup cornstarch into a container. Add 1 cup water and whisk until thoroughly combined.

    You’re looking for a liquid /runny consistency.

    mixing up chalk paint

  3. Add color

    Now it’s time to add food coloring or paint. We add one color per container and often mix up a whole rainbow of colors!

    mixing chalk paint

  4. Get painting!

    Bring your chalk paint outside and have fun! You can use any kind of brushes – sponge brushes, large paintbrushes or traditional brushes.

Print out this easy recipe and keep it on hand any time you need it.

Chalk Paint Recipe

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How to Make Chalk Paint

  • Author: Rachel Withers
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes

Description

Learn how to make chalk paint with two ingredients. Add coloring to create chalk paint for kids! This uses a 1-1 ration of water and cornstarch for easy adaptability. 


Ingredients

Scale

1 cup cornstarch

1 cup water


Instructions

  1. This recipe calls for equal ratios of water and cornstarch. For mixing up 5 different colors, it’s easy to add 1 cup of cornstarch to 1 cup of water.
  2. Mix vigorously until well combined, being sure to scrape the bottom of the container to fully incorporate the ingredients. 
  3. Now add food coloring or liquid watercolors as desired. 
  4. For additional colors, repeat steps 1–3 in a new container.

chalk painting for kids
Photo by Rachel Withers

And now it’s time to get started chalk painting!

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