Video:How to Make Sidewalk Chalk

SHARE ON                

Transcript:How to Make Sidewalk Chalk

Hi I’m Rafael Benitez for About.com. Creating family crafts is a great way to save money and spend quality time with the family. Today’s family craft idea combines art with the great outdoors.

And it’s something you can do right outside your front door. It’s chalk art. You can let your imagination run wild then make it disappear. Making the chalk is just as much fun as creating the art.

Supplies Needed to Make Sidewalk Chalk

Here’s what you’ll need: A bucket of plaster of paris mix. You can find this at a craft store or your local hardware store Dry tempera paint for color or food coloring. We’ll show you 2 different ways to create a rainbow of colorful chalk crayons

Aluminum foil, empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls, paper cups or an empty egg carton.

A disposable container to mix everything together. Recycling an old margarine or yogurt container works great.

A measuring cup, a stir spoon and a little imagination. It’ll take about an hour to make the chalk and an overnight for them to dry completely.

Create a Template

Empty toilet paper rolls make a great template for a wide piece of chalk. It’s perfect for little hands to wrap their hands around. You can also cut the roll down and rubber band it together to make a narrower piece of chalk. Then tightly cover the bottom of the roll with foil. You can try other molds as well – egg carton and small paper cups work great too!

Mix Plaster of Paris with Water, then Add Color

Use a disposable container to mix two part plaster of paris with one part water. Now here are to the options in adding color. You can either add ready-made dry tempera paint mix. A couple of spoonfuls will work with a cup of the plaster of paris mixture. Or, add food coloring to water first then mix it with the plaster of paris. Use an old measuring cup or something with a spout to pour the mixture into the mold. Then let it sit overnight.

Get Creative with Your Sidewalk Chalk

When the mixture is completely dry, peel off the mold and voila! You’ve got chalk. Now it’s time to be creative. Enjoy designing your sidewalk or patio then wash it away and try something new. On a cold day, a clean garage floor is the perfect palette.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.