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A kids chalk board has got to be the best thing to make for a toddler and preschooler! My 2 year old has been bouncing around with excitement over his new chalk board for days now! The 4 year old has been drawing train tracks and roads and what I assume is an apple tree. He loves apples.
How to make a kids chalk board
Gather your supplies:
- A board of some sort to paint on, we have used a HUGE sheet of ply-board.
- Latex paint any color you want. We have used black.
- Some unsanded tile grout
- Mixing containers, smooth sand paper (if needed)
- Paint brush, rubbing cloth, chalk
Or you could just take the shortcut like some people have suggested and buy the chalk board paint, but that is not the purpose of this post. We do not have chalkboard paint where we live so I made do with what we do have at our local hardware store. Also if you are looking for a quick stick chalkboard to take a look at the contact paper wall chalkboard on amazon.
DIY kids chalk board how to
Dust off your surface and make sure it is nice and smooth. Give it a light sanding if you need to.
Mix up your paint. Pour 1 cup of paint into a container and gradually stir in 2 tablespoons of the unsanded tile grout. Be sure to break up the lumps as you go.
Paint the surface of your board generously, while telling little helpers not to touch. I have a hand print on my wall for these efforts! Good thing the wall is currently under a paint job too!
Once the paint has dried completely, took about 20 minutes for us with the windows open, you will need to prime the surface before drawing on it. Smooth the area with fine grit sandpaper if you need to and wipe off the dust. Next take the side of a chalk and rub the entire board. The kids chalk board is looking great!
Grab a dry cloth and rub it in further to finish the prep off. Little MR couldn’t wait and started drawing in the areas I had just finished.
You can of course make this kids chalk board to whatever size you want. Once the dry rubbing is complete take a damp cloth and wipe down the board. Let it dry. Like 2 mins was my time. Your done! You can now mount the board to the wall or have it as a small board on the table. I did mount the kids chalk board up on the wall for the day, they didn’t like it there. They love lounging on the chalkboard and drawing. So on the floor it is. Kinda like a giant black rug. 🙂
Some other uses for chalk board paint and DIY chalk boards:
- Wall Calendar
- Message Center
- Pantry Reminder
- Paint your kitchen pot plant tubs
- Paint the kids’ storage bins, labels or the entire thing
Sandy Ramsey says
This is fantastic! I especially love the size. Good for inside but outside too. My kids love sidewalk chalk but it doesn’t show up especially well on our rough driveway. This would definitely solve that problem! Thanks for the share and a new Pin!
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy says
I like this idea of creating a mobile and temporary chalk board as opposed to painting an actual wall to make one. Thanks for sharing.
Kriss MacDonald says
I’ve just pinned this as this is definitely a project I plan to do when we move into new house after the summer. Thanks!
grownandflown says
I had no idea you could make a chalkboard with such easy-looking steps. Thanks for the idea.
Over from SITS!
Tiaras & Tantrums says
like this idea! I just painted the inside of my pantry door with the chalk board paint for my kiddos
Nicolette Roux says
awesome! Kids enjoying?
Lea says
I love this idea. I am trying to decide where to put one where he won’t make a mess (2.5 years old now). Thank you for sharing 🙂
Kathy Radigan says
What a great idea!! I have been toying with the idea of doing one and your post just nudged me a little closer. Thanks for a great post!
claudia says
Great idea! Simple and fun for the kids 🙂
Claudia @ http://www.prettylittledahlia.com
Victoria from the Busy House Big Heart says
Love the cute little toes! There is chalk board paint. I didn’t know you could use just latex paint. I definitely weight my options now.
Nicolette Roux says
yea, the already made paint is not something I have seen here. So went and made my own. Most of the stuff I do is homemade because of the area I live in. MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!!
Pary Moppins says
Great idea!