Chalk it up to summer

Blow the whistle it's official....ly summer!  It's been great weather and we've been doing lots of outtings and swimming and everything already but there is just something about it being officially on the calendar that it is summer that just makes it better.  My kids don't even seem to notice how unbearably hot it is getting outside and are constantly begging to be let loose out there.  And while I love sports and games of tag there are some days I just can't keep it up without fear of fainting so here is a great outdoor activity full of fun but light on the sweat! SIDEWALK CHALK...wait for it....

PAINT! For those of you who haven't heard of it you're in for a treat and the best part you can MAKE IT!... easy, quick, and you probably already have everything you need.  Water.. (check)... corn starch.....(look way in the back there...CHECK) food coloring... any colors will do....ok so maybe you're out... oh wait (CHECK CHECK CHECK!!!).  That's it!  And of course a mixing bowl...cups for seperate colors...spoons for mixing... and eventually some paint brushes for when you're all set to paint.

Here's how I do mine.  Equal parts water and corn starch.  I usually do about a cup of each.  But you can make as much or as little as you need depending on # of kids and # of colors you want to make.  Then I just eye ball the colors mixing in a little of this or that or what have you.  I use the gel food coloring which makes good bright colors but any food coloring you have on hand should work great.  Make up as many different batches as you like grab some paintbrushes and head outside!

This little trick keeps my little ones occupied for at least an hour.  If I mix up lots and give them one set of colors and then wait and give them another set of different colors I can stretch it out even longer. They're both more of abstract artists so more colors means more interesting splatters and puddles!

Have a Fabulous (summer) Day!