homemade chalk

Making your own chalk is really easy and lots of fun, and the end result provides you with a brilliant excuse to get outside and be creative – hurray!

materials

• Toilet rolls/cardboard tubes
• Masking tape
• Greaseproof/wax paper
• Scissors
• Old plastic container 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of plaster of Paris
• 1tbsp powdered tempera paint
• Stick (for stirring)

eco info

This project is a good way to re-use old toilet rolls.

hints and tips

• If you feel your tube is too chunky, then cut it along the length, overlap the edges and tape them in place to reduce the diameter.
• Tin or silicon muffin pans also make great moulds and don’t need lining with paper.
• Once you have made your chalk, go outside and play all manner of games. You don’t even need to clean up – just wait for the next shower of rain to wash it away.
• Take turns to lie down on the ground and draw each other’s outline. Add hair, face and clothes. If you are feeling adventurous, turn it into a biology lesson and draw some internal organs!
• Draw lots of roads and buildings then crack open the tub of cars and take them for a drive.
• Play beanbag toss. Draw lots of shapes on the ground with different numbers in. Take turns to throw the beanbags in and see who can score the most points.
• Play noughts and crosses/tic-tac-toe.

Step 1

Tape up one end of each cardboard tube with masking tape making sure that it is sealed.

Step 2

Line the inside of the tube with a piece of greaseproof paper. Stand each tube, taped side down, on a level surface. Make sure you stand them on a piece of kitchen paper in case you get any leaks.

Step 3

Pour the water into a plastic container then sprinkle the plaster of Paris on top (generally it’s a 1:1 ratio, but check the instructions on the packet).

Step 4

Add one heaped teaspoon of powdered paint to the mixture and give it a really good stir. If you want a deeper colour, add more paint.

Step 5

Pour the mixture in to the tube and tap lightly to get rid of any air bubbles.

Step 6

When the plaster has set you can remove the cardboard tube and greaseproof paper. You will need to allow the chalk to dry fully for a few days before using.