Spring has definitely sprung early in our hometown. Our family has been spending a ton of time outside soaking up the sun. Our days are spent: riding bikes, playing in the sand box, and swinging on the swing. I love spring and really love summer!!!!

With spring upon us, I decided to start blogging about fun things you could do with your kids this spring/summer. My goal is to have a weekly (or bi-weekly) activity or craft you can try with your kiddos (we will see how it goes).

This weeks craft is Sidewalk Paint! Yes, be prepared to get messy, but it is so much fun. Sidewalk paint isn’t anything new. I just refuse to pay $10-15 for a bottle. Through a simple “google” search I found an inexpensive alternative to this paint. I loved that I had all the ingredients in my cabinet and Bug (my daughter) was able to help me make it!!!

Supplies List
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Food coloring
- Paint brushes
- Bowls or muffin tin
- Old clothes

You start by measuring out 1/4 Cup of cornstarch and placing it in a bowl or muffin tin. The muffin tin we used was kind of small and made it hard to mix. I think next time I will get some throw away bowls. You then add a 1/4 cup of water to the Cornstarch. The mixture of cornstarch and water is equal parts. You can always make more by increasing your measurements. Also, if you mixture is too thick just add more water. You can make it the consistency you want!

You then add 4-5 drops of food coloring! You can make the color more vibrant by adding more food coloring (but it will stain more). The blue paint stains like crazy!! Bug put her hand in the mixture and came out looking like a Smurf. It does wash off with a little scrubbing, but doesn’t come out of clothes very well! I would recommend your children wear old clothes!!!! I did think about using powdered tempera paint (because it is washable), but I couldn’t find it. Plus, I am not sure how it would work. If I find it, I am going to try it!

Bug loved making this paint! She was so excited to see the Cornstarch turn colors! You can use any type of paintbrush. We discovered a brush with natural bristles worked the best (pictured above), but if you don’t have one, just use what you have. Don’t use a foam brush; the Cornstarch will get stuck in it.

Here is a picture of some of Bug’s artwork (and mommy's)!

We had so much fun painting our pictures. For those that want to know, the paint washes off with a little water just like sidewalk chalk. This activity made for a great afternoon of fun!

Does anyone else have a great Spring/Summer activity for kids? If so pass it may way, you may see it in this blog.

Can’t wait to hear from you!