How To: Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk to Graffiti the Streets With

How to Make Homemade Sidewalk Chalk to Graffiti the Streets With

I've never met a kid who didn't love sidewalk chalk. There's just something about drawing all over public surfaces that seems to appeal to the rule-breakers in us all. And it's not just for kids—artists have done some pretty incredible works with the stuff, too.

If you're looking for a fun project to do with kids, or make custom colors for your own drawings, making sidewalk chalk at home is really simple and cheap. Jamielyn Nye from I Heart Nap Time shows just how easy it is in her tutorial over on One Good Thing.

It only takes three ingredients:

• ¼ cup warm water
• ½ cup plaster of Paris
• 2-3 tablespoons tempera paint

As far as tools, you'll need a mold to pour the mixture into and some disposable bowls and spoons for mixing. An ice cube tray works well for the mold, and you can find them in all shapes and sizes.

All you have to do is mix the water and plaster of Paris until combined, then add in the paint and pour it into the molds.

After about 24 hours, it should be dry and ready to use. Be sure to check out Jaimelyn's tutorial for more details and photos of the process. Then check out the Yumiverse for tips on using your chalk for more than just painting the streets.

Looking for more fun and kid-friendly crafts? Upcycle broken or too-small crayons into giant pushup crayons that are cleaner and easier for tiny hands to use.