Sidewalk chalk is an item in high demand at our house. Our driveway, porch, sidewalks, and sometimes the neighbor's driveways, are always covered in colorful designs and scribbles. I found a recipe for homemade chalk in one of my craft books, and decided to give it a try. It would have turned out great...if I'd made sure the paint I used was TEMPERA, and not just a washable paint. Out secind try turned out perfect, colorful chalk!
Try it out for yourself! The kids will love helping create their own chalk. Mine were so proud of their chalk that they waited a few days before breaking it in half.
Here's the recipe:
YOU'LL NEED
Toilet paper or paper towel tubes
Scissors
Duct Tape
Wax Paper
3/4 cup warm water
Small bucket or disposable container
1 1/2 cups Plaster of Paris
2-3 tablespoons
tempera paint
Begin by cutting any paper towel tubes to match the length of the toilet paper tubes, or in half. Cut one piece of wax paper for each tube. The waxed paper should be as long as your tubes by 4 inches wide. Cover one end of each tube with duct tape, then roll the waxed paper and drop into the tubes to line them. They should open up to lay flat against the insides of the tubes. Stand the empty tubes in a baking dish or tray, taped side down.
In the bucket, mix the water and the Plaster of Paris by slowly adding the P.o.P to the water, and mixing thoroughly. Add the Tempera Paint. You can mix colors for your own custom color, or add white for lighter colors.
3. The plaster mixture should be thin enough that it can be poured. Pour the wet plaster mixture into the tubes. Release any bubbles in the tubes by tapping gently on the sides. Set them aside to dry. The drying process typically takes a few days. Once they are dry, tear off the tubes and wax paper, and send them outside with the kids!
