Ideas for Backyard Patio Fun this Summer!

May 06, 2015 | FILED UNDER: Fun Activities

Today I’m excited to be partnering with BEHR DeckOver to share how we love using our backyard concrete patio. If the temperature is above 60 degrees, you’re bound to find us out here. It’s a prime chalk-drawing and popsicle eating spot at our house, so I’ve got recipes for a simple chalk paint and yummy watermelon blueberry popsicles for you today!

When we were house-hunting almost 2 years ago, we were intrigued by this backyard basketball pad that the previous owners had put in for their teenage sons. However, it wasn’t until we moved in that we appreciated how special it was. It is the perfect, safe space for Stella and Hazel to play outdoors!

This is the spot where Hazel learned how to ride a trike, and now a big girl bike. It has been a blank canvas for numerous chalk drawings. It is the perfect place to bounce a ball back and forth, learn hopscotch, run through the sprinkler, and eat drippy popsicles. This is definitely the most used part of our backyard…and we don’t even use it for basketball!

homemade sidewalk paint recipe

I can see us using this space for many years to come and want to continue to keep it in great shape. Now that we’ve been here for two years it could use some maintenance and I’ve added an application of BEHR DeckOver to our summer to-do list. (Ross, hopefully you are reading this!)

I was excited to learn about BEHR DeckOver. Using a 100% acrylic formula, it conceals cracks and splinters up to 1/4″ deep in wood and concrete surfaces. It resists the elements, repels water, and creates a smooth, slip-resistant finish that resists cracking and peeling against harsh weather conditions. I’m looking forward to trying it out, and keeping the patio looking good for future play time.

How to make sidewalk paint

While we typically stick to traditional chalk, today we tried out our own homemade chalk paint and it was a ton of fun! Here’s how to make your own:

The Easiest Homemade Sidewalk Paint Recipe

Cornstarch
Water
Gel Food Coloring

Pour a small amount of cornstarch into a bowl. Add a little water at a time and stir until you get a paint consistency. Use a toothpick to add a small amount of gel food coloring (liquid food coloring will also work, but the colors will be less intense).

The girls had so much fun experimenting with this gooey substance. They painted with it, drizzled with it, and when it dries up it turns to this cool solid very similar to real chalk. They loved breaking it up into a powder and sprinkling it onto the concrete. Then they sprayed water on it which makes a pretty effect too!

My girls love popsicles and whenever they ask for one I send them outside to eat it on the concrete pad to avoid dripping indoors or on our patio furniture outside! They are happy to oblige. 😉

We have a popsicle mold and it is so fun to throw extra fruit and juice in there to make our own homemade popsicles. Really anything goes. We had some leftover watermelon from a BBQ this past weekend and I turned it into popsicles for the girls. Here’s what I did:

Yummy and Healthy Watermelon Blueberry Popsicles

1/2 medium seedless watermelon
Pint of blueberries
Juice of one lime
Sugar to taste (our watermelon wasn’t very sweet, so I used 2/3 c. of sugar, but you may need less)

Scoop out watermelon and put in blender. Puree and add lime juice and sugar to taste. Pour into popsicle molds and sprinkle with blueberries. Use a popsicle stick to push blueberries down into the popsicle mold. Freeze overnight and enjoy!

I’m expecting us to spend many hours out here this summer and hope you have a special outdoor space to enjoy too! If you have a concrete patio or wood deck, make sure to check out BEHR’s DeckOver to keep it looking great.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BEHR®. The opinions and text are all mine.

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