How to Make Sidewalk Chalk with Cornstarch

Last Updated: August 4, 2021 References

Drawing on sidewalks with chalk is a great way to bring out the artist in anyone, especially kids. You can create your own sidewalk chalk paint for less than purchasing chalk at a store. The paints can be mixed before each paint session, and they are non-toxic. Read the article below to learn how to make sidewalk chalk paint with cornstarch.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Making Sidewalk Chalk Paint

1
In a large cup, combine 1/3 cup (40 grams) of cornstarch and 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of water. Stir with a fork or small whisk until the cornstarch dissolves. There should be no lumps or clumps. The mixture will be somewhat thick. This will be enough for one color.
- If you are muffin tin with shallow wells use 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water per well.
2
Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of tempera paint. Keep stirring until you get an even color. There should be no streaks or swirls. Try to use washable tempera paint for easy clean up.
- If you can't find any tempera paint, you can substitute several drops of food coloring or liquid water color instead. 5 to 20 drops should be enough. The more food coloring you add, the brighter the color will be.
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3
Carefully pour the mixture into a muffin tin well. If you can't find a muffin tin, use a small, plastic cup instead.
4
Repeat the profess for the rest of the colors. Pour each color mixture into a separate well. You can use whatever color you want.
5
Apply the paint with paintbrushes. You can also use some foam brushes instead. The colors may appear translucent at first, but they will become more opaque once they dry.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Making Scented Sidewalk Chalk Paint

1
Tear open 6 small packets of powdered drink mix, and empty them into the muffin tin. Pour each flavor into a separate well. The drink mix will not only color the sidewalk chalk paint, but also make it smell nice. Set the muffin tin aside.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups (700 milliliters) water and 3 cups (375 grams) of corn starch. Stir the two together with a spoon or whisk until the cornstarch has dissolved. There should be no clumps or lumps. The mixture will be a little thick.
3
Pour the cornstarch water into each muffin tin well. Stop when the water is about ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) away from the rim. This will lessen the chances of the paint spilling when you take it outside.
- You will likely end up with some left-over cornstarch water. If this happens, just pour it out, or use it to make more scented sidewalk chalk paint in a separate container.
4
Stir the contents of each muffin tin well until the drink mix dissolves. Use a small spoon, a fork, or a toothpick to do this. The color should be even, and there should be no streaks or swirls.
5
Use the paint. Carefully carry the muffin tin outside. Use paintbrushes or foam brushes to spread the paint onto the sidewalk. The paint may appear a little bit translucent at first, but it will be brighter once it dries.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Making Fizzing Sidewalk Chalk Paint

1
In a large bowl or cup, combine 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of water, 1/3 cup (40 grams) of cornstarch, and 1/3 cup (40 grams) of baking soda. Mix everything together using a whisk or fork. There should be no lumps or clumps. The mixture will be a little bit thick, which is fine. This will be enough for one color.
- Try to use a bowl or cup that has a little pouring spout. This will make it easier to pour the mixture into the spray bottles later on.
2
Stir in a few drops of food coloring. You will need about 5 to 20 drops. The more drops you add, the brighter your color will be. Keep stirring until you get an even color. There should be no streaks or swirls.
- You can also use liquid watercolors instead of food coloring.
- You can try using washable tempera paint, but it might make the mixture too thick to squeeze out of the bottles.
3
Carefully pour the mixture into a plastic squeeze bottle. Close the bottle and shake it to mix everything together. If you are having troubles pouring the mixture, try sticking a funnel into the next of the bottle first. Pour the mixture through the funnel.
4
Repeat the process for the rest of the colors, if desired. If you want to make more colors, mix up a new batch of water, baking soda, and cornstarch. Use a different color for each bottle.
5
Fill a spray bottle with white, distilled vinegar. The vinegar is important. It will react with the baking soda, and cause the paint to fizz. If you are having troubles getting the vinegar into the spray bottle, stick a clean funnel down into the neck, and pour the vinegar through the funnel.
6
Draw designs on the sidewalk with the liquid chalk. Open the tip of the squeeze bottle and squirt out some designs onto the sidewalk. The colors may look a little translucent at first, but they will become brighter once they dry.
7
Spray the designs with vinegar while they are still wet. The vinegar and baking soda will react with other. They will bubble and fizz, and create a new, foamy design.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Making Frozen Sidewalk Chalk

1
In a large cup or bowl, combine equal parts water and cornstarch. How much water you use will depend on how many colors you want, and the size of your ice cube tray/popsicle mold. Stir the two together with a fork or whisk until the cornstarch dissolves. There should be no lumps or clumps. The mixture will be a little thick.
- Try to use a cup or bowl with a little pouring spout. It will make it easier to transfer the mixture into the ice cube tray/popsicle mold later on.
2
Stir some tempera paint into the mixture. You will need about 2 tablespoons of tempera paint per 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of water. Keep stirring until the paint is completely mixed in. The color should be even. There should be no streaks or swirls.
- Try to use washable tempera paint for easy clean up.
- If you can't find any tempera paint, you can substitute food coloring or liquid watercolors. Start with a few drops, then keep adding until you get the color you want.
- If you want more colors, you will need to mix them separately.
3
Carefully pour the mixture into your ice cube tray or popsicle mold. Don't fill the wells all the way. Water expands as it freezes, after all. If you are using a popsicle mold, be sure to pop the stick part back into the mold once you have it filled.
- Ice cube trays will allow you to experiment with more colors. They can also come in many fun shapes. Popsicle molds have the benefit of coming with a holding stick. Some kids may find these easier to hold.
4
Transfer the ice cube tray or popsicle mold to the freezer. Leave it there for several hours, until the mixture freezes. The larger your mold is, the longer it will take to freeze.
5
Use the frozen sidewalk chalk. Once the mixture has frozen, take it out of the freezer and pop it out of the trays or molds. Consider separating the cubes by color into smaller bowls so that the colors don't mix when the ice melts. You can draw with the chalk directly, or you can leave them on the sidewalk and watch them melt.
- The colors may be a little translucent at first, but they will become brighter once they dry.

Community Q&A

Question

How to I clean the chalk off my sidewalk?

Community Answer

Spray the sidewalk down with a hose. If you don't have a hose, fill a bucket with water, and splash the water onto the sidewalk. If the paint is stubborn, scrub it with a stiff-bristled cleaning brush.
Question

How do I clean the chalk off skin?

Community Answer

If you used washable tempera paint for the color, soap and warm water will do it. If you used food coloring, try rubbing at the stain with toothpaste or a paste made from baking soda and water.
Question

How do I make solid sidewalk chalk out of cornstarch?

Community Answer

Unless you are making ice or frozen sidewalk chalk, it is not possible to do this with just cornstarch. To make solid chalk, you will need to use Plaster of Paris. Begin by mixing 2 to 3 tablespoons of tempera paint with 1/2 cup of cold water. Stir in 2/3 cup of Plaster of Paris and pour into your chosen molds. Let the mixture harden before you use it.

Warnings

Beware that sidewalk chalk paint is messier than sidewalk chalk.

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While it is possible to let the paint harden and dry, you will not end up with usable chalk. The end result will be far too fragile. If you want to make solid sidewalk chalk, click here.

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Young children might be tempted to use a vinegar spray bottle as a water gun. Warn young children not to aim the spray bottle at anyone. Vinegar can burn and sting.

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