How to Make Chalk
Making chalk is one of the most kid- and/or parent-friendly activities. It can be a craft project, a learning tool or just a good time spent with your kids. The best part is that once it is fully dried, everyone can go out and use the finished project, and any sidewalk will do. You can make chalk into virtually any color that you want, and the ingredients are readily available at any craft store or hobby shop.
Things You'll Need
- 5-cup bowl
- 2 cups plaster of Paris
- 2 cups water
- Paper towel or toilet tissue roll
- Spoon
- Scissors
- Wax paper
- Plastic wrap
- Cellophane tape or equivalent
- Tempura paint, food color or any latex paint
Instructions
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1
Mix two cups of water with two cups of plaster of Paris in a 5-cup bowl. Add coloring during the mixing process using a tempura paint, food coloring or virtually any type of latex paint. Color it to your desire, then use your spoon to mix them together until they form a paste-like substance.
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2
Roll up some wax paper so it fits inside of a paper towel or toilet tissue roll. Trim the ends of the wax paper with your scissors so they are flush, then secure the wax paper with cellophane tape or an equivalent.
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3
Cover the opening on one end of a tissue roll with plastic wrap, and secure it into place with cellophane tape.
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4
Spoon your plaster of Paris mix into the open end of your tissue roll, then place it upright onto the end that has been plastic wrapped. Allow it to dry like this for several hours.
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5
Peel or cut away the roll and the wax paper with your scissors when the chalk has dried, and discard the wrappings.
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Tips & Warnings
The basic mixing recipe is 2 parts water and 2 parts plaster of Paris. As long as the 2 + 2 recipe is used, virtually any amount of chalk can be made.
Basic eggshell chalk is six powdered eggshells combined with 1 teaspoon of very hot water and 1 teaspoon of flour. Mix, roll into a stick-like shape, wrap in a towel and allow to dry for three days.
References
- Photo Credit colored chalk background image by Richard Seeney from Fotolia.com
