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.

How to Make Sidewalk Chalk

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! 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Supplies Needed

Directions to Make DIY Sidewalk Chalk

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

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.

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. However, a thin chalk mixture will also be fun to use with spray bottles or squeeze bottles. But that would be more like diy sidewalk chalk paint.

Sidewalk Chalk Ideas We Love

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 Toys & Supplies We Love

CHALK ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG:

How did your DIY sidewalk chalk turn out?