Homemade Sidewalk Chalk
Now that the kids are out of school it’s time to start thinking about ways to entertain the little critters. This Homemade Sidewalk Chalk is like two projects in one. First, they make it, then they get to play with it.
I love it when that happens.
You’ll need:
- Cardboard Tubes {from paper towels or toilet paper rolls}
- Scissors
- Duct Tape
- Freezer or Parchment Paper
- Quart Plastic Containers {like old potato salad containers}
- Tempera Paint {whatever colors you want}
- Water
- Mixing Spoon
- Plaster of Paris
- Rubber Spatula
- Cooling Rack
Directions:
- Cut the paper towel rolls in half or just use toilet paper tubes. Tape off one end of the tube using duct tape.
- Cut out 6″ squares of the freezer paper and line the inside of each of the cardboard tubes.
- Pout in the amount of water as directed on the plaster of Paris package and 2 Tbsp. desired color of tempera paint. Add the required amount of plaster of Paris and mix well.
- Using the rubber spatula, fill each tube with plaster of Paris mixture. Gently tap the tube on a hard surface as you fill it to remove air bubbles.
- Allow the plaster of Paris to dry for about 2 hours, then remove the duct tape, and peel off the cardboard tube and the freezer paper.
- Place chalk on a drying rack for 3-5 days.
- Send your little Picassos outside to create their masterpieces.
- Sit back and watch reruns of Who’s the Boss, while they play. Oh no? Just me? Never mind.
~Mavis
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Katy says
As nice as this is to make things at home, they sell sidewalk chalk for $1 at most stores, so in this case the time to make it would well outweigh the actual cost in my book. But I can see it being a fun project to involve the kids in, to allow them to pick colors and such.
Johanna says
I remember making this with my Mom when I was a kid. I loved it! It was fun to mix the colors and have two-colored chalk. Sure, chalk is cheap to buy, but making chalk definitely encourages the DIY-spirit and is a fun, useful activity! (Rather than many craft projects/art projects that end up cluttering around.)
AJ MUDGE says
oh yea!……..GONNA MAKE BIG STICKS……..big fun all around!
Christine says
How long does the art last on cement?
SueD says
If it’s used on wet cement or tarmac, it could last until the next time the cement or tarmac gets wet.
Diane says
Never made chalk, but my mom did make homemade Play-Doh for us as kids! Cheap and fun to do!
Ashley Bananas says
I always love doing crafts with kids!! Thank you!
Linda says
Your comments are more impersonal than usual. What are you eating, doing, making? Is your garden keeping you super busy? Inquiring minds want to know.
Sue S. says
Sounds like fun but I’d rather just buy a big bucket at Dollar Tree or Job Lot on the cheap.