Make Your Own Sidewalk Chalk

Sidewalk chalk is pretty darn easy to make, and by doing it at home, you can save money, create your own designs and colors, and have fun with the whole family.

Step 1: Materials

You can get everything you need for this project from a craft or art supply store and around the house.  You'll need:

• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Powdered Tempera Paint
• Mixing Bowl
• Molds

I used some fun molds that came with a plaster of Paris kit, and some of the neat ice tube trays from IKEA.  They even make tube-shaped ones if you want traditional chalk shapes. 

To make your own stick molds, try using toilet paper rolls.  To make them thinner, just cut a seam, overlap the edges, and tape together. 

Comments

[JohnDeere312]

Love this but what else could i use instead of powdered tempera paint???

[paganwonder]

I would think any water-based coloring agent would work...have used food coloring for homemade playdough...

[karthisri]

great work

[NutandBolt]

Great Ible :-), I made something similar for my first baby's room. I used plaster and molds and after it was dry I painted them and siliconed them to the wall.

[collegecultivator]

What a great idea!

[scoochmaroo]

Neat!

[doxsys]

Be careful with Plaster of Paris and kids: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/schoolgirl-lost-fingers-in-plaster-of-paris-1801591.html

[rattyrain]

OUCH!

[J-Five]

I agree that had to hurt!!!!

[doxsys]

Yah -- The pictures (in a different article on the same story) were pretty nasty too.

Most people (notably including myself, until I read this) don't realize just how exothermic setting plaster can be.

[J-Five]

They could have put here hands in some dirt, to make a mold. Then the TEACHER pours in the plaster of Paris.

[doxsys]

That's what they were instructed to do. About halfway down the story is this: "Jo Anderson, prosecuting for the HSE, said the girl had been told by her teacher to put her hands into clay to make a mould."

[J-Five]

If I were her parents I would sue the school

[OlivePie]

I can not wait to try this with my niece and nephew...they are going to love it! :]

[watermelonhead]

Yay, chalk! Great 'ible! But to make it even better, add... GLOW IN THE DARK POWDER!!!

[nightninja87]

omg!!! i love doing this it reminds me so much of being a kid! oh and if u want huge sticks of the chalk put plastic on the bottom of a paper toliet roll tube and fill :D thank you

[etaf7]

I do sidewalk art. And this will definitely save some money!

[merricat]

This is Great! Thank you for posting this! We go to a kid friendly open jam every week, and usually supply the sidewalk chalk. We can easily go through a big box in one night, so I will DEFINITELY be trying this!

[DebsCrochet]

That's great-Thanks for sharing