Monday 12 March 2012

Homemade Liquid Sidewalk Chalk




 Today is the first day of March Break, which means I will hear at least one million "I'm BORED"'s and  at least one million "____________(insert child's name here)'s bugging me".  This means that I have to get creative to save my own sanity.  Needless to say, I will be scouring my new best friend "Pinterst" for ideas.
    I only have to come up with three days of activities (we're away Wednesday).  We will be inviting friends over tomorrow,  Wednesday we're away, that leaves Thursday, and Friday, and the rest of today.
I'll let you know what I come up with to fill their days.
    Today the weather is glorious, so I sent them outside.  As I sit here and write this I am smiling listening to them play ( I have the front door open).  I know it will not last.  I know that someone will irritate someone, and there will be angry words, but for now I will enjoy their happy noise.  They are complimenting each other on their art.  They are co-operating, does life get much better than this?
    I found a recipe for liquid chalk on Pinterest.  The website is thirtyhandmadedays.com.  The recipe is very straightforward.

1 tsp washable tempura paint
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup corns starch
1 squirt dishwashing liquid
1 squirt bottle.

Sounds easy.  I don't have any tempura paint, but I have food colouring.  I don't have any squirt bottles, but I could repurpose some.  Off I went to search the house for spray bottles.  Bottles found, and thoroughly washed.  I mixed together the hot water into the cornstarch and added the dish soap, then whisked it.  It made a quicksand substance that glumped the whisk to the bottom of the bowl.  I was patient, and mixed it.  I then poured the mixture into bottles with the food colouring gel in it.  Shake shake shake, ready to go.  Found the kid's spring jackets, and rubber boots, and off we went to experiment.  They had a blast, although Riley was a little frustrated.  Turns out her de-tangling spray bottle was not a great match for the liquid.  In it's place, a bowl and a paint brush.  Then the other two wanted bowls and brushes (Grace is away today).  They loved it.  Is it the greatest product that I have ever encountered, no.  Did it give my kids some creative fun, yes.  The mixture did not turn out "awesome", but I did my usual.  The recipe called for tempura paint, I had food colouring.  It called for squirt bottles, I found some old bottles around the house.  All in all it is worth a try.









    Now I just need to find something else for this afternoon, and three more days, hmmmmmmmm...

1 comment:

  1. Have you given any thought to archary or sky diving?Perhaps knife throwing for tomorrow.This looks like fun for them,you are a good Mommy

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