Frozen Chalk Paint – an Art Provocation

If you’re fighting against hot weather and could use a creative activity that will get you outdoors, frozen ice chalk is a wonderful way to explore the intersection of art and science with little ones…on a hot day.

How to Make Frozen Chalk Paint

Making up a batch of frozen chalk paint is easy, and you can make it with ingredients that you probably already have at home, which is the best in my opinion. I was inspired by this recipe at Reading Confetti.

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Supplies: Frozen Chalk Paint

Corn Starch, also known as Corn Flour in the U.K.

Liquid watercolors. I like this brand. The colors are bright and they’re non toxic. India Tree makes a set of natural food coloring that is lovely if you’re looking for something all-natural.

Ice Cube Tray/s. I found this set of 3 trays (stars, flowers, and mixed shapes) that are similar to mine, and a good deal for all three.

Water

Mixing Bowl

Spoon

Instructions: Make Frozen Ice Chalk

1. Mix 1 part corn starch with 1 part water.
2. Add food coloring or liquid watercolors until you reach the desired color.
3. To make multiple colors, mix in smaller bowls or simple add the food coloring directly to the ice cube tray.
4. Pour into the mold.
5. Freeze.
6. Pop out and play.

A quick note about frozen chalk: Food coloring and liquid watercolors, mixed with corn starch, can temporarily stain sidewalks. Ours left a beautiful rainbow on the sidewalk for couple weeks. It looked lovely and we didn’t mind, but it’s something to keep in mind if you have a precious surface that you want to preserve.

Play Ideas for Frozen Chalk

1. Place them on a sidewalk and watch them melt
2. Draw with the chalk
3. Place different colors near each other and make guesses about what color the melting chalk will turn into as the paint mixes (see photo below)
4. Offer a stick to push the frozen chalk around with

More Homemade Art Supplies that you can Make

Salt and Flour Paint – Just as it sounds, you will only need salt, flour, and food coloring

Easy Egg Tempera Paint – This gorgeous paint dries with a slight shimmer.

Sweetened Condensed Milk Paint – This may be the most delicious paint recipe ever.

More Art Provocations

If you are looking for more art provocations like this, the Creative Table Project is filled with tons of ideas that you can implement right away.