MAKE YOUR OWN CHALK PAINTS

Need an easy, cheap idea to keep the kids busy in the garden this summer? Encouraging them to make their own chalk paints is perfect for all ages and you’re likely to have the ingredients and equipment in your kitchen already.

But, first things first, my top tip when setting up an activity for children is DO NOT ANNOUNCE IT! While they are busying themselves doing something else or wandering about declaring how bored they are, potter about and get all the bits and bobs ready for the activity. They’ll soon become intrigued and want to get involved when they see you heading for the garden armed with paintbrushes. It’s always a good idea to just leave creative activities ready for them to ‘discover’ - we all know how children can respond when we tell them what to do!

For homemade chalk paints, you will need:

• cornflour

• food colouring

• washing up liquid

• water

• pots for mixing in

• paintbrushes

I wouldn’t worry too much about using set amounts of ingredients. Part of the fun of this activity is the pouring, scooping, mixing and experimenting. I used a plastic mixing bowl and a muffin tray for the paints but you could just as easily use yoghurt pots, jam jars or whatever you have at home.

When using the paints to create masterpieces on the ground or fencing, they appear watery initially but dry chalky. With the addition of washing up liquid, it all washes away pretty quickly too.

Don’t forget to share your pictures and tag us on instagram.com/thatkidlife_southend if you give this a go and follow along for more easy, fun creative activities to try at home too. We’d love to see your mini creatives at work!