Make your summer a lot more colorful with this 3-Ingredient Sidewalk Chalk tutorial!
When I was growing up, one of my favorite parts of summer was covering our sidewalks and driveway with colorful works of art using sidewalk chalk. I've passed along that summertime tradition to my own kid, and we have so much fun drawing the afternoons away. Did you know that you can make your own sidewalk chalk in any colors you want? It's a lot easier than you'd think, and the kids are going to love getting to help! You can even start making your own sidewalk chalk a new summer tradition in your own home.
To make your own 3-Ingredient Sidewalk Chalk, you will need these supplies:
3-Ingredient Sidewalk Chalk Recipe:
- ½ cup Plaster of Paris (DRY powder, not mixed)
- ¼ cup water
- 2 Tablespoons tempera paint
Combine water and Plaster of Paris in a disposable cup using a jumbo craft stick. The mixture should be similar to wet concrete or a thick waffle batter. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little more water. If it seems too thin, add just a little more plaster of Paris and mix well.
*With this recipe, I was able to make two pieces of 2"x1" chalk. You will be able to make a lot more pieces if you are using a smaller mold.
When it comes to color, it's incredibly IMPORTANT that you use a washable paint!! Otherwise, it's very possible that your kids could be making some permanent artwork on the sidewalks, or at least it will be a little more difficult to wash away!
Stir in a generous amount of washable paint. I honestly didn't measure the paint I added. I just added a dollop at a time, mixed, and then added more to get a saturated pastel color. The chalk will always be pastel, so don't add too much paint! Your chalk will never dry and/or will become too crumbly to use.
Fun fact: Did you know that you can add fine glitter to the mix for a sparkly chalk mixture?
Fill the mold with the liquid chalk mixture all the way to the top. It's okay if you make a mess. Cleanup becomes a lot easier once it dries.
Repeat the process to make as many colors of chalk as you'd like. Of course, I had to create a rainbow of colors!! Tap the mold on a hard surface like a countertop (or floor) to force the chalk mixture(s) to settle and to bring any air bubbles to the top.
To speed up the sidewalk chalk drying process, I recommend baking it in the oven. This will allow you to possibly use the chalk the same day that you make it!
**Make sure that your silicone mold is oven-safe before doing this!! (Most are, but it's always a good idea to check!)**
Start by baking the chalk at 250º for one hour. If the surface of the chalk is dry, CAREFULLY remove the chalk from the molds and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake until the chalk is light in color without any dark spots. The chalk will be very hot, so be careful!! Allow the chalk to cool completely before use.
Luckily, over-baking the chalk is unlikely and this entire process shouldn't take more than 3 hours.
*In total, I baked my chalk for about 2 ½ hours until it was completely dried out.
Once the chalk is completely dried, it's ready to use on sidewalks and chalkboards! These are great for using all summer long, and would make a great gift to share with friends.
I love how vibrant these chalks turned out, and they color on the sidewalk just like the ones you can buy at the store. I also think it would be fun to make marbled chalk - just add dollops of different colored chalk to the same mold, then you can draw on sidewalks with multiple colors at once!
Once you're done creating sidewalk art, you don't have to worry about scrubbing the color away later. The colors wash away like magic, leaving no trace behind. You can wash away the chalk using a hose or cup of water or wait for the summer rain to do the work for you.
We just LOVE this 3-Ingredient Sidewalk Chalk, and it's a fun summer tradition to do with the kids when school ends. What better way to start summer vacation than by creating your very own set of sidewalk chalk to use all summer long?
This is such a fun, colorful, and easy craft for kids of all ages to make at home, summer camp, and even in the classroom. As always, I love to see your version of these projects! Please share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest #AFMCrafts
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