Homemade sidewalk chalk is a fun and inexpensive DIY-project your kids will love. You decide, which colors the chalk will have – and what kind of ingredients go in it.
Step 1: Making Molds for the Chalk
To make homemade sidewalk chalk, the first thing you need is a mold. Simply make it out of paper. You can use an empty toilet paper roll or a broomstick as a reference for size.
- Cut a sheet of paper in half.
- Wrap it around the broomstick for thinner chalk, or around the toilet paper roll for thicker chalk. Fix the paper with tape.
- Leave some paper overhanging at the top and fold it in so that the resulting tube is well closed and has a bottom. A wide tape will provide a secure hold and seal.
- Now remove the cardboard roll or the broomstick and you have a mold for the chalk.
How to Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk With Plaster
Now that you have your molds ready, you need something to fill them with! Start by gathering the following ingredients for homemade sidewalk chalk:
- Plaster of Paris (available on Amazon**)
- Water
- Food Coloring or Powdered Paint (available on Amazon**)
- Old glasses or yogurt cups and a spoon
- Mix about half a cup of water with three tablespoons of plaster.
- Stir until smooth and add the coloring agent until it reaches the desired color. Use the color sparingly at first, the powder is very color intensive even in small amounts. If you’re using liquid food coloring, reduce the amount of water accordingly.
- Fill the plaster mass into the mold you have made. If your mold is narrow, consider using a funnel.
- Place the filled molds in cups or glasses so they can’t fall over and allow them to dry out for 12 to 36 hours (depending on the thickness).
Tip: If you don’t have any food coloring at home, you and your kids can look through your kitchen cupboard. Maybe you’ll find ingredients that will color your homemade sidewalk chalk just as well. Use turmeric to make yellow chalk, paprika for a pale pinkish-brown, or elderberry juice to make blue chalk. You can also experiment with powders made from dried flowers or leaves.
This article has been translated from German by Karen Stankiewicz. You can read the original here: Kreide selber machen: Straßenmalfarben aus 3 Zutaten
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