How to Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk
Do
your kids love to color outside with sidewalk chalk? I know mine do!
The only problem with sidewalk chalk is that it can be hard to find and is
expensive to purchase in large buckets. However, you can make your own
sidewalk chalk for pennies on the dollar and provide your kids with hours of
summer fun. Listed below is two recipes for sidewalk chalk. These are
very easy to make, so pick your favorite colors and let the fun begin!
Homemade Cornstarch Sidewalk Chalk Recipe:
This one is my favorite because it is the least expensive to make and non-toxic,
but it does take longer to dry.
 Items Needed:
- 1 ½ cups of Cornstarch
- 1 ½ cups of water
- Molds - anything can be used! Empty Play Dough containers, egg cartons,
Dixie cups, ice cube trays, muffin tins etc.
- Food coloring - assorted colors.
Simple Instructions For Making the Chalk:
Mix the water and cornstarch together until smooth. Pour into your
molds. Add 3 or more drops of food coloring to the molds to get the colors
you desire and mix well. Allow 2-3 days for the molds to harden
completely. Pop out your chalk and have some fun!
Some people using this recipe have noticed that mold begins to grow on the
chalk before it completely hardens. I am not sure why this is occurring as mine
did not develop mold. Be sure to place your chalk in an area of your home that
is sunny and warm. Do not place the chalk to dry in a damp or moist area as mold
will most surely develop.
If this is an issue for you, you can solve this issue
by using the above recipe as sidewalk paint. Mix as directed and do not allow
the chalk to harden. Give your children a paint brush and let them have some
fun! You can also use the sidewalk chalk recipe for chalk made from plaster of
Paris.
Homemade Plaster of Paris Sidewalk Chalk Recipe:
 What You Will Need:
- 1 cup plaster of Paris
- 1 cup water
- Powdered tempera paint, assorted colors
- Molds
- Spoon
- Mixing bowl
Mix the plaster of Paris and water together in your mixing bowl. Pour the
mixture into your molds. Add different colors of powdered tempera paint to each
mold and stir until blended and your desired color is reached. Allow the molds
to dry for 1-2 days. Once dry, remove the chalk from the molds. If upon removal
of the chalk some parts are still moist, allow to air dry for another day.
Final Words
Some people
also use toilet paper or paper towel rolls to make chalk sticks. I find
using these to be very time consuming. You must seal one end on each roll
to prevent leaking and coat the inside of the rolls with wax paper to prevent
sticking. However, if you have the patience, they do make great chalk
sticks!
Using this recipe to make your own chalk is easy and will provide
hours of safe summertime fun for you and your children.
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