At Outdoor Wise Living we believe getting outside is an important part life. While going on a hiking or camping adventure is a great way to get outdoors, time outside can also be in your neighborhood, backyard, or in this case your driveway or sidewalk!

Chalk is a summer favorite. It is readily available at most stores, inexpensive, and good for all ages; however, sometimes you want to shake things up and paint! In 2020 I spent a lot of time trying to come up with fun, outdoor activities we could do at home, and making our own chalk paint was a big hit. It’s a fun medium for kids (and adults) to work worth and their canvas is extra big being outside.

This blog post has step by step instructions for making chalk paint at home.  It’s super easy to make! Here’s what you’ll need:

Supplies:

• Sidewalk Chalk: multiple colors, new or old works great. It’s going to get broken up so broken pieces work just as good as new chalk.

• Water

• Muffin pan or small recycled containers (e.g. yogurt cups)

• Paint brushes (these thicker Melissa & Doug ones work great!)

• Paint mixing utensil (we used takeout chop sticks)

• Rubber mallet or something similar, such as the ones featured in the photo below

• Freezer bags with a zipper seal (recommend freezer bags since they are a little thicker to avoid tearing)

Here are the five simple steps:

Step 1: Gather your supplies and sort the chalk into colors. 

Step 2: Put all the same color chalk into a bag. Seal it up (with as little air as possible). Then, on a hard surface such as a driveway or sidewalk, hammer the chalk inside the bag with the rubber mallet to break it into a fine powder. The powder does not have to be perfect! Let the kids help if they are old enough to avoid their fingers with the mallet. Repeat for each color you’d like to turn into paint.

Step 3: Pour the chalk powder into a muffin pan cups or other small containers. I’d suggest filling about halfway with chalk powder to leave room for the water.

Step 4: Add water to the powder and stir until mixed. It should be the consistency of paint. If it looks like a thick paste, add more water until it’s liquid. 

Step 5: Grab your paint brushes and start painting! At first it will seem to paint faded or faint colors, but once it dries a bit the colors should be vivid like the original chalk.

Art and the outdoors! A perfect combination. We love this simple DIY chalk paint since it’s only chalk and water so you know if the chalk doesn’t stain your surface or clothes neither will this “paint”! Also, if the paint dries up outside in your container, just add a bit of water and stir when you’re ready to use your chalk paint again.  If you take the chalk paint to public spaces be sure to review local regulations that cover chalk usage.

We hope you try making this easy chalk paint with your family or friends. Connecting with the outdoors comes in many different forms. Painting outside is a great way to be outside and creative. 

Please share your chalk paint creations with the OWL community by tagging us on Instagram (@outdoorwiseliving)! As always, we hope to see you outside.