Make Homemade Chalk
Making chalk is an easy, inexpensive project you can do at home using supplies you're likely to have on hand. Mix in a little paint to make chalk in different colors, or stick with basic white. This article gives instructions for how to make chalk using plaster of paris, eggshells, or cornstarch.
Contents
Steps
Plaster of Paris
- Gather supplies. Aside from the ingredients you need to make the chalk, you also need to pick out molds. Search around your house and go to the craft supply store to compile the following list of supplies:
- Plaster of Paris. You can get a large tub of this from most craft stores. You'll need 1/2 cup per batch of chalk.
- Tempera paint. This type of paint washes away easily, which is convenient if you'll be using your chalk on the sidewalk or on a chalkboard. Choose as many colors as you'd like.
- Wax paper. You'll need this to line your chalk molds, so that the chalk doesn't stick to them.
- Items to use as molds. You can use old toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, ice cube trays (as long as you don't use them again to make ice), or any other type of tube or carton.
- Masking tape. You'll need this to cover the bottom of the tube molds to keep the chalk mixture inside.
- Get the molds ready. Line the molds with wax paper so that the waxed part is facing up. If you're using tubes, tape one end with masking tape to keep the chalk mixture contained.
- Pour paint into bowls. You'll need two tablespoons of paint per batch of chalk. Measure it out into bowls, with one color per bowl. You can also mix paints to create new colors; for example, mix red chalk with yellow to make orange chalk, or blue with yellow to make green. Just make sure the total amount of paint in each bowl adds up to 2 tablespoons.
- Add the plaster of Paris. Scoop 1/2 cup of plaster of Paris into each bowl. Stir thoroughly so that the mixtures are fully incorporated and free of lumps.
- Add a drop of liquid dish soap. This helps the chalk wash away more easily. Just stir one or two drops into each bowl of chalk mixture.
- Pour the chalk into molds. Use a spoon to help you pour the chalk mixtures into individual molds, one for each color. Fill the molds as high as you'd like; the chalk mixture won't expand as it dries. Cover the molds with waxed paper when you're finished.
- Let the chalk dry. Place the chalk in a dry place to let the moisture evaporate overnight. The chalk is ready to use when it's completely dry.
- Finished.
Eggshells
- Gather ingredients. This all-natural method of making chalk uses ingredients you can find at the grocery store if you don't already have them on hand. Collect the following items in preparation for your chalk-making project:
- Eggshells. If you are lucky enough to have an egg-laying hen, you might have a store of eggshells just waiting to be used. If not, find a way to gather as many eggshells as possible. If you start in advance you can ask your friends and neighbors to save them up for you.
- Flour. This thickens the mixture and fills out the chalk.
- Food coloring. Either the liquid or gel kind will work.
- Molds. Use old toilet paper rolls, an ice cube tray, or any other type of mold of your choice.
- Wax paper. You'll need this to line the molds.
- Masking tape.
- Prepare the molds. Line your chosen molds with wax paper so that the waxed side is facing up. If you're using tubes, use masking tape to cover one end.
- Grind the eggshells. Make sure they're totally dry before you begin. Use a mortar and pestle or a bowl and the back of a spoon to grind the eggshells to a fine powder. Be sure not to leave any large shards of shell; the mixture should be completely smooth.
- Mix the base. Mix two parts flour to one part eggshell in a bowl. Add water a little at a time until you've created a thick paste. Separate the mixture into as many bowls as you want, depending on how many colors you want to make.
- Add food coloring. Stir a few drops of food coloring into the different bowls.
- Fill the molds. Spoon the chalk mixture into separate molds, one for each color. Cover the molds with wax paper.
- For a fun variation, try filling the molds halfway with one color, then filling up the other half with a second color.
- Make marbled chalk by filling the molds with two or more colors, then using a wooden skewer to poke through the paint layers and create swirls.
- Let the chalk dry. Wait at least 12 hours for the chalk to dry before popping it out of the molds and using it.
- Finished.
Cornstarch
- Gather supplies. This simple chalk recipe calls for two main ingredients: cornstarch and water, in equal parts. Use food coloring to make more than one color. For the molds, use old toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, or other small containers. You could also make one large sheet of chalk and break it into pieces.
- Prepare the molds. Line your chosen molds with wax paper, making sure the waxed side is facing up. If you're using tube molds, cover one side with masking tape to keep the chalk from leaking out.
- Mix the cornstarch and water. Pour equal parts cornstarch and water into a mixing bowl. Stir so that the mixture has a thick, smooth consistency. Separate the mixture into smaller bowls, one for each color of chalk you want to make.
- Add food coloring. Use a few drops of food coloring to dye the mixtures in the different bowls. Stir each one well so that the color gets fully incorporated.
- Pour the chalk mixtures into molds. Use a spoon to help you transfer the chalk mixtures into individual molds. Cover the molds with wax paper.
- Let the chalk dry. Wait 12 hours before removing the chalk from the molds. This chalk is completely natural and biodegradable.
- Finished.
Tips
- Make scented chalk by adding a few drops of essential oil to the mixture before pouring the chalk into molds.
- Experiment with mixing in glitter and other tiny items.
- You can substitute other types of calcium, like limestone, for plaster of Paris or eggshells.
Related Articles
- Make Chalk from Plaster of Paris
- Make Chalk Paint
- Create Wet Chalk Drawings
- Make Chalk Paper or Stationery
