Learn how to make homemade sidewalk chalk! Believe it or not, it isn’t very hard at all, at least with this recipe. This homemade sidewalk chalk recipe is so easy to make and is a budget-friendly craft. Which is a win-win in my book. Kids of all ages will love making their very own sidewalk chalk! The best part is you can use this homemade sidewalk chalk at home or at school at recess!

Homemade sidewalk chalk stacked on each other on pavement with colors: pink, purple, orange, red, and yellow
Make your own chalk!

How to Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

Making homemade sidewalk chalk is fun and easy! Kids can customize their sidewalk chalk colors making it something fun to do with kids of all ages.

We love playing outside with sidewalk chalk and had never thought about making our own, but it was surprisingly simple and a colorful craft we enjoyed. You can make regular chalk or can use a silicone mold to make fun chalk. You only need 3 ingredients, and a handful of household supplies that you will most likely find in your kitchen junk drawer. Our DIY sidewalk chalk tutorial is so quick and easy that your kids will be drawing beautiful sidewalk murals in no time! 

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Supplies needed to make homemade sidewalk chalk you need: cardboard tubes, coin wrappers, plaster of Paris, water, tempura paint, tape, containers, and a rubber spatula.
To make homemade sidewalk chalk you need: cardboard tubes, coin wrappers, plaster of Paris, water, tempura paint, tape, containers, and a rubber spatula.

Supplies Needed To Make Homemade SideWalk Chalk

Directions to Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

Step 1- Homemade sidewalk chalk- prepare cardboard tubes by taping off one end with tape.
You don’t have to buy expensive molds. Just use basic coin rolls to shape your homemade sidewalk chalk!

Step 1

Prepare cardboard tubes by taping off one end with tape. Cut paper towel tubes in half. 

Step 2- How To Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk- Mix 1 cup plaster of Paris with 3/4 cup water until combined.
Can you guess what the basic ingredient to this sidewalk chalk recipe is? It’s plaster of paris!

Step 2

Mix 1 cup of plaster of paris with ¾ cup water until well combined.

Step 3- How To Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk- add tempera paint and mix well.
I keep a set of mixing bowls and silicone spatulas that I only use for crafty things, like making homemade sidewalk chalk!

Step 3

Add tempera paint. Amount will depend on what color you want. Start with about 4 tablespoons of tempera paint. Mix well.

Step 4- How To Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk- Fill each tube with plaster mixture
Mix the plaster of paris and the tempera paint, well.

Step 4

Fill each tube with plaster mixture.

Step 5

Tap the tube on your work surface to release any air bubbles from the sidewalk chalk.

Step 6- How To Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk- let sit for 2-3 hours and remove the cardboard tube beginning with the tape.
Kids LOVE this step! It’s so cool to see your DIY sidewalk chalk take form!

Step 6

Let sit for 2-3 hours and remove the cardboard tube beginning with the tape. Don’t leave in cardboard longer than 24 hours. 

Step 7

Place chalk on wire rack to dry completely, 3-4 days before using.

Step 7- How To Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk- let chalk dry on wire rack for 3-4 days
Do your kids prefer drawing or writing with their sidewalk chalk? Don’t forget games! Make a huge tic tac toe board, or you can play hopscotch!

Variations on Sidewalk Chalk Recipe

No paint on hand? You can try food coloring. Use less of it, because it will thin out the chalk mixture. A few drops of food coloring should be enough to get the desired color. However, a thin chalk mixture will also be fun to use with spray bottles or squeeze bottles. But that would b e more like diy sidewalk chalk paint. But homemade sidewalk chalk paint could be fun too especially since it would be your own sidewalk chalk paint.

Everything feels better when you make it yourself!

Chalk Toys & Supplies We Love From Kids Activities Blog

Things To Do With Your Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

Now that you have your very own sidewalk chalk what should you do with it? Well, there are a number of things you can do with it, just remember this isn’t just only sidewalk chalk, you can use it on your chalk board too.

  • But you can make colorful murals on driveway surfaces.
  • Play traditional chalk games like hop scotch.
  • Make big outdoor art on the sidewalk or pavement.
  • Make large handwritten messages! Say hi to friends or I love you to mom and dad.

You can have so much imaginative fun with these sidewalk chalk sticks.

How To Clean Up Your Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

Done with the drawings? Have people coming over? That’s fine this chalk is easy to clean up. Just use a water hose or your garden hose and wash it away. You may need high water pressure to make it all go away, but overall it is easy cleanup.

How To Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

How To Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

Creating sidewalk chalk art is one of the most treasured childhood memories for both parents and children. Save time and money by learning how to make homemade sidewalk chalk with this easy tutorial!

Materials

  • Cardboard tubes from paper towel or toilet paper, we used coin wrappers
  • Plaster of Paris
  • Water
  • Tempera paint
  • Duct tape or heavy packing tape
  • Containers for mixing
  • Rubber spatula

Instructions

    1. Prepare cardboard tubes by taping off one end with tape. Cut paper towel tubes in half. 
    2. Mix 1 cup plaster of paris with ¾ cup water until well combined.
    3. Add tempera paint. Amount will depend on what color you want. Start with about 4 tablespoons. Mix well.
    4. Fill each tube with plaster mixture.
    5. Tap the tube on your work surface to release any air bubbles.
    6. Let sit for 2-3 hours and remove the cardboard tube beginning with the tape. Don’t leave in cardboard longer than 24 hours.
    7. Place chalk on wire rack to dry completely, 3-4 days before using.

Sidewalk Chalk Ideas We Love From Kids Activities Blog

We have so many more fun activities to do with your homemade sidewalk chalk! Aside from drawing epic sidewalk murals, here are fun ways to keep your kids learning and creating with sidewalk chalk:

  • Take family game night outside and use sidewalk chalk to draw game boards the whole family can enjoy! Rub it in, in front of the entire neighborhood, that your kiddo beat dad at tic-tac-toe! {giggle} 
  • Speaking of some healthy family competition, use sidewalk chalk to create a fun obstacle course in your yard!
  • Transform your driveway into a race track for bikes, using sidewalk chalk and your imagination!
  • Looking for a fun way to bring the neighborhood together? Here is how to host a fun and easy “chalk your walk” event in your neighborhood!
  • Have your kids surprise a neighbor by decorating their walkway or sidewalk with their sidewalk chalk masterpieces (with their permission of course!). Not only is this a fun activity, it teaches kids to think of others! 
  • Do you have new kids on your block? Help your kids make a batch of homemade sidewalk chalk to leave on their front porch with a “welcome to the neighborhood” note! 

CHALK ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG:

Looking for another fun summer activity that is a lot of fun? Then take a look at each great activity in this list! The best part is you can use your homemade sidewalk chalk to do them all.

How did your homemade sidewalk chalk turn out?



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