Homemade Chalk
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Best for ages 4 and up
Materials
- Toilet tissue tube (or an ice cube tray to create smaller chunks for younger hands)
- Duct tape
- Aluminum foil if you are using a toilet paper tube (or petroleum jelly if you're using an ice cube tray)
- Disposable plastic container
- Plaster of Paris (Playbox plaster of Paris, about $4 for 4 1/2 pounds, dickblick.com)
- Water
- Liquid tempera paint (Prang Ready-To-Use tempera paint, about $5 for six colors, dickblick.com)
- Spoon
Instructions
Step 1
Cover one end of the toilet paper tube with duct tape. Loosely roll an 8- by-41/2-inch piece of aluminum foil and slip it into the tube so that it lines the inside, fitting snugly. (Or coat the inside of the ice cube tray with petroleum jelly.)
Step 2
Set tube upright (duct tape side down) on protected surface.
Step 3
In a disposable plastic container, help your child mix 1 cup plaster of Paris with 1/2 cup water. Stir slowly and thoroughly until plaster is dissolved, about 1 minute.
Step 4
Immediately add 2 tablespoons paint (or more for brighter chalk color, but be careful it can stain). Mix thoroughly.
Step 5
Spoon into the tube (or ice cube tray). Tap gently so mixture settles to the bottom.
Step 6
Let dry overnight before using.
