Last month my grand daughter and I had an arts & crafts play date. During this particular date…we decided to make some homemade sidewalk chalk and here is how we made it.
Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Recipe & Instructions
* Two parts Plaster of Paris
* One part water (use warm tap water)
* Acrylic craft paint
* Plastic butter dishes, margarine tubs (clean and empty)
* Empty cardboard tubes (paper towels, toilet paper, gift wrap rolls, etc.)
* Aluminum foil, waxed paper or plastic wrap
* Masking tape
* Paint stir stick or old wooden spoon
Measure out Plaster of Paris into an old plastic butter bowl. Stir in the warm tap water, stirring with a paint stir stick or an old wooden spoon.
Stir in some acrylic craft paint in your desired color, just a few drops at a time until it reaches the desired shade. You will want to continue stirring the Plaster of Paris mixture until it thickens. If necessary, you can add more Plaster of Paris if it is too runny or if it is too thick, add a little more water.
Cut your empty cardboard rolls to the desired length. Cover one end of each cardboard tube with aluminum foil, plastic wrap or waxed paper. Secure the foil, wrap or paper to the end of the tube using masking tape. Stand your tubes upright.
Pour the Plaster of Paris mixture into your prepared molds. Let them firm up for several hours or overnight.
Once they are firm, tear off the cardboard and the new sidewalk chalk is ready to use! Store your newly made chalk in an airtight container or large plastic zipper closure bag. Enjoy!
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This would be such fun to make wit kids and then to play outside with them using the chalk.
A great way to use my hoarded cardboard tubes!! Now if I only had a sidewalk, lol. Great recipe to pin for later. Thanks.
What a fun idea! And a great way to save money on the chalk. Everyone loves to use sidewalk chalk!
My grandkids love sidewalk chalk and would love the idea of making their own. They could really put their stamp on it and make them feel good about having accomplished something. Crayola offers obstacle course and game ideas for sidewalk chalk and using chalk that you made yourself would add to the fun and creativity. Especially important that it washes off and you make the colors you want. Thanks.
Sidewalk chalk isn’t cheap and my little niece can go through a box with amazing speed. This looks like a lot of fun to make. I’m just trying to think if I could make the cardboard tubes a little thinner as a mold. Guess it’s a road trip to Hobby Lobby for the plaster of paris!
Ok I feel silly I had no idea that you could make homemade chalk. This sounds like such a fun project thanks for sharing this one.
Yes it does! It also washes off when it rains.
This looks like an easy recipe to make. Plus you can make your own custom colors. I can’t wait to get the sidewalk chalk out and let my youngest play outside.
That looks like fun. Does the chalk wash off with the hose?