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This DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint is Next-Level Fun

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I think that all kids are inherently creative, and it’s so interesting to see how they explore their ideas. Maybe it’s through pretend play—making up fairy tales and creating elaborate costumes to wear while acting them out. Or it could be music—either singing famous tunes or making up original melodies on kid-sized instruments. It might even be architecture—building elaborate blanket forts with intricate designs and multiple rooms. For my kids, it’s fine art. Give them a piece of paper and a box of crayons, and their imaginations come alive.

Nothing brings me more joy than to watch my kids create, so with summer on the horizon, I thought I’d give them a new medium perfect for using outside. Sidewalk chalk is a fan favorite in our house, but I hadn’t given them the opportunity to experiment with sidewalk chalk paint. So I decided to embrace the inevitable mess, rolled up my sleeves and made my own.

Materials: cheese grater, sidewalk chalk, water Optional: funnel, squirt bottles

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

If you search Pinterest for “sidewalk chalk paint,” you’ll find tons of recipes and inspiration, but I’m a purist, so I went straight to the source for my main ingredient—sidewalk chalk. The phrase “just add water” and all of the simplicity that it implies has never been so true!

Hold the grater over bowl or a cup (I used a measuring cup to make the pouring step easier). Rub the chalk back and forth over the finest grating surface to create chalk powder. This step should be done by an adult.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

If you’re using squeeze bottles, pour the chalk powder into the bottles through a funnel. If you prefer to mix your paint in a container with a wider opening, you can skip this step.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

Add water to the chalk powder. Use less water to create a thicker paint that’s perfect for brushes and more water to create a thinner consistency that can be squirted out of the bottles. For reference, I used about 1/4 cup of water for every two pieces of chalk. And the beauty of this chalk paint is that as it dries up, you can simply add more water to keep the fun going.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

Hold your finger over the top of the bottle to prevent paint splatters and shake it off up. (Or mix the paint with a wooden spoon if you’re making it in a bowl.)

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

Repeat the process until you’ve created a rainbow of sidewalk chalk paint colors, and then gather the rest of your supplies for your little artists.

Supplies: squeeze bottles, paint palette, paint brushes, foam brushes, Huggies® wipes

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint Kit - Project Nursery

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint Kit - Project Nursery

No instructions necessary—these two went right to work mixing colors on the paint palette.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

They worked quietly and intently at first—check out that concentration!

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

The party really got started when they discovered that they could squeeze the paint right onto the driveway and create puddles of vibrant color.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint Tutorial

And from that point on, the paintbrushes were all but forgotten.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

All kids are different, but messes happen—intentional or not. I consider myself lucky that both of my little ones would usually rather keep their hands clean, so I always keep a package of wipes within arm’s reach. And I’m extra picky when it comes to the products that touch their sensitive skin, so I really appreciate that Huggies Natural Care® Wipes are hypoallergenic, fragrance and alcohol free. And how cute is that Clutch ‘N’ Clean? It’s perfect to take on-the-go for summer adventures and outdoor activities.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint Cleanup - Project Nursery

Not to be outdone by his sister, at 18 months old, my son is totally dedicated to his art. I love his focus and determination to keep up with big sis!

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Project Nursery

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint Cleanup - Project Nursery

Once we had collected a wipe in every color and covered the driveway in original art, we called it a day—but not without the promise of another afternoon of outdoor art on our next sunny day.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint Cleanup - Project Nursery

Be sure to visit Huggies.com for valuable coupons, and join the Huggies® social media sweepstakes for a chance to win $2,500 by posting an image to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #HugTheMessSweepstakes.

For more finger painting fun, check out our last Huggies activity!

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Courtney

Thursday 12th of May 2016

It is seriously SO MUCH FUN, Cassandra! Enjoy!!

Cassandra Eastman

Thursday 12th of May 2016

My 4 year old would LOVE this! Thanks for sharing!!