This washable sidewalk chalk paint is one of our favorite summer activities. It’s thicker than our scented sidewalk paint and puffs up a little as it dries.
The best part? Spray it with vinegar when you’re done and it fizzes, which kids love and helps lift the color off the concrete.
How to Make Washable Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Puffy Paint Visual Recipe
Get the printable1 cup cornstarch
1 cup baking soda
About 1 cup warm water
Liquid food coloring (not gel)
Squeeze bottles or a muffin tin
Brushes, sponges and a spray bottle of vinegar
Mix the powders
Whisk equal parts cornstarch and baking soda in a large bowl.
Add water
Add warm water a few tablespoons at a time until it’s like poster paint. Thicker paint puffs more, but don’t make it too thick for squeeze bottles.
Divide it
Pour the paint into squeeze bottles or muffin tin cups.
Add color
Add a few drops of liquid food coloring to each and shake or stir.
Paint
Head outside and paint the sidewalk.
Fizz it
Spray the dry paintings with vinegar and watch them fizz.
Will it stain?
It usually washes off with a hose or the first rain. Use liquid food coloring, not gel, and test a small spot first on light concrete. A few drops of gentle soap in the paint helps too.
Sidewalk Paint Tips
- Use it right away. The baking soda settles and clumps in bottles. Stir or shake often.
- Painting from cups? You can make it ahead and add water to rehydrate.
- Too thin? Add more cornstarch. Too thick? Add water.
- Fun tools: Sponges, foam brushes and spray bottles.
Love this? Try our scented sidewalk chalk paint or shaving cream puffy paint.
More paint recipes
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Take painting to the tub with our bathtub paint visual recipe.
The visual recipe includes
- Picture-based ingredient list
- Step-by-step picture directions
- Great for speech, OT and life skills
- Instant PDF download, nothing is shipped
Perfect for
- Summer fun
- Cooking and crafting with kids
- Special education
- Ages 3 and up
Sidewalk Chalk Paint FAQ
Mix equal parts cornstarch and baking soda, add water until it’s like poster paint, then add liquid food coloring.
It usually washes off with water. Avoid gel food coloring and test a small spot first.
Vinegar reacts with the baking soda and makes carbon dioxide bubbles.
Use it the same day. The baking soda settles and clumps over time.
More Outdoor Paint Ideas
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From families like yours
Did you try it? Tell us how it went!
We love seeing these activities out in the wild: the lumpy letters, the snack breaks, the proud “I made a B!” moments. Leave a star rating, tell other parents what worked (and what totally didn’t), and add a photo of your setup if you’d like.
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