How To Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

I can’t think of a summer DIY that is more fun than learning how to make homemade sidewalk chalk with kids! You only need 3 ingredients, and a handful of household supplies that you will most likely find in your kitchen junk drawer. This craft is perfect for kids of a variety of ages–great for the classroom, summer camps, or to make at home.

Our DIY sidewalk chalk tutorial is so quick and easy that your kids will be drawing beautiful sidewalk murals in no time! 

How To Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

Whenever we buy a new tub of sidewalk chalk it inevitably is dropped, and the chalk is toast within at least a week. {giggle} Now that I know how to easily make more sidewalk chalk at home, I will save SO much money.

Plus, it becomes even more fun for the kids, because not only do they get to draw, they can help make their own chalk, too! 

Spending hours outside, writing and drawing on the sidewalk is a staple childhood memory! It’s a great way to entertain kids of many different ages at once. 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Supplies Needed

• 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

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. 

Can you guess what the basic ingredient to this sidewalk chalk recipe is? It’s plaster of paris!

Step 2

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

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. Mix well.

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.

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. 

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!

How To Play With Sidewalk Chalk

No summer bucket list is complete without playing with 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! 

We have gathered some of the BEST outside chalk play accessories and supplies to help your kiddos have even more fun in the sun with their homemade sidewalk chalk!

Chalk Toys & Supplies That Kids Love

There are so many cool sidewalk chalk accessories that can add hours of fun onto your sidewalk drawing adventures!

Here are some of our favorites:

The best thing about chalk activities, is that you can try them out all year long, both indoors and out!

Chalk Activities For Kids 

What is the first activity you are going to try with your homemade sidewalk chalk?