Gable Crebs, age three, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, loved to zip around the house on his motorcycle and fire truck scooters. To keep him away from the stairs, his mom, Tara, decided to give Gable an incentive to race in the basement. She painted a 12- by 23-foot speedway on the cement floor. Now Gable and his brother, Cael, one, play for hours at the races, while Tara does laundry or enjoys her hobby of scrapbooking. "The speedway has become an indoor play spot for neighborhood kids. It's especially useful during the winter months when the boys need to burn off energy," says Tara.
Do-it-yourself tips
• Check for moisture before painting. Duct-tape a large piece of plastic wrap to the floor.
If, after a few days, water droplets accumulate on the underside of the wrap, your basement is too damp for floor paint. Perhaps the garage might work.
• Consult your paint store salesperson about how to properly treat your floor before painting. Tara used a concrete sealer first, followed by a gray base coat of floor enamel.
• Acrylic craft paints are ideal for the track and other creative details, but you may want to sketch your design on the floor with chalk before you paint.
• Allot several days for this project--at least one day each for sealer, floor enamel, and paint. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
•Save leftover paint for occasional touch-ups.
Cost: About $125 for sealer, paint, rollers, and brushes.
