As hard as it is to admit, there’s more to Halloween than candy. Which is why we asked Lauren Sharp, cofounder of Cow Hollow’s new Artifact art studio for kids, to create a trick-or-treat alternative just for us.

The result? A mysterious sidewalk paint powder that reveals its color only when water is added.

Supplies
Corn starch
Food coloring
Small plastic containers with lids (the kind used for condiments or beads)
Paintbrushes (the thicker the better)
Optional: black and orange tissue paper and ribbons

1. Fill small plastic containers two-thirds of the way with corn starch and create a crater in the center of each with a finger.

2. Drop three to six drops of food coloring into each crater (combos are below). The corn starch will ball up around the drops of color.

Goblin Green: two blue drops + four yellow drops
Dracula’s Purple Cape: three red drops + two blue drops
Jack-o’-Lantern Orange: three red drops + three yellow drops
Full Moon Yellow: five yellow drops + one red drop
Werewolf White: three red drops + three blue drops + three yellow drops

3. Cover the color balls with more corn starch and put the lids on the containers.

4. Wrap each container in a square of tissue paper and tie with a ribbon; tuck in a paintbrush and instructions: “Mystery Sidewalk Potion: To paint the town, mix one part potion with two parts water and watch the paint reveal its true color.”

Artifact, 2803 Greenwich Street, between Lyon and Baker Streets (sfartifact.com).

Haven’t quite gotten around to making Junior’s Halloween costume?  We found thirteen adorable getups on Etsy — no effort required.

SEE
Animals United 3D
What: An animated buddy flick about a lion and meerkat’s search for water, followed by a Q&A with the directors.
Why: Quench a thirst for big-screen silliness.
When: Sun., 2 p.m.
Where: The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., at Market St. (415-621-6120). Tickets online at berlinbeyond.inticketing.com. Adults and teens, $13; children 12 & under, $10; family four-pack, $30.

LAUGH
Bay Area Children’s Theatre’s Miss Nelson Is Missing
What: A musical romp about a teacher gone AWOL, her replacement, and the students who learn a lesson.
Why: There’s no substitute.
When: Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Where: Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison St., b/t Milvia St. & Shattuck Ave., Berkeley (510-644-2020).

BOOGIE
Baby Loves Disco Lemonade Tour
What: An all-ages boogie-down with a live DJ, a child-proof dance floor, and a charitable beneficiary (Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation).
Why: The natives are restless.
When: Sat., 2-5 p.m.
Where: Ruby Skye, 420 Mason St. (415-693-0777). Tickets online at babylovesdisco.com. Single admission, $20; family four-pack, $60.

Photo: Courtesy of Artifact

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