May 18, 2020
SolBe Families,
Happy Monday! Tomorrow, we will be sending out information to you on the #chalkchallenge, why it is important to our community, and how to participate. Spoiler alert…it involves chalk!
In preparation for your participation, please find a recipe to make your very own chalk at home. Be advised: This project is messy and takes a minimum of 12 hours to dry.
Project of the Day: Make your own chalk!
Materials
- 1 cup Plaster of Paris (per chalk color)…this was not something I had on hand or that is sold at any good ole CVS or grocery store. I was able to find some at the hardware store (though it costs $8.99, which is enough to buy a lotttt of chalk)
- 3/4 cup of Water (per color)
- Container or mold for Chalk (I used a muffin tin)
- 1/4 cup Tempura Paint or Food Coloring (again…per color)
Step One
Lay out all of your materials. Get ready for a bit of a mess!
Step Two
Mix 1/4 cup of paint into 3/4 cup of water. Bowls were a mistake! If I were to try again, I would mix right into the ziplock, or in a cup! I found that tempera paint works better than food coloring. If you do use food coloring, you will need to add a little extra Plaster of Paris in the next step to make the consistency less liquidy. Repeat with any colors you would like to try.
Step Three
I poured the paint/water mixtures into ziplock bags and added one cup Plaster of Paris into the bag. Now the fun part for the kiddos…MIX MIX MIX!
Step Four
I snipped a tiny corner of the ziplock off to pour into my muffin tins (I didn’t have a mold alternative). Silicon molds in fun star or heart shapes will work even better!
Let these dry for 12-24 hours and you will be ready for the #ChalkChallenge!
Updates and additional tips coming your way once these babies have ample time to set. Worst case: we try again and learn from our mistakes…what a good lesson!
Most important direction, as always: HAVE FUN!
More resources to follow in the coming days. Feedback and more ideas welcome!
Above all, be well and stay healthy!