Making Homemade Chalk

Homemade Chalk

Toilet tissue tube or ice cube tray
Aluminum foil if you are using a toilet paper tube 
Petroleum jelly if you're using an ice cube tray
Disposable plastic container 
Plaster of Paris 
Duct tape 
Liquid tempera paint 
Water 
Spoon 


1. Cover one end of the toilet paper tube with duct tape. Loosely roll an 8- by-41/2-inch piece of aluminum foil and slip it into the tube so that it lines the inside, fitting snugly. (Or coat the inside of the ice cube tray with petroleum jelly.) 

2. Set tube upright (duct tape side down) on protected surface. 

3. In a disposable plastic container, help your child mix 1 cup plaster of Paris with 1/2 cup water. Stir slowly and thoroughly until plaster is dissolved, about 1 minute. 

4. Immediately add 2 tablespoons paint (or more for brighter chalk color, but be careful it can stain). Mix thoroughly. 

5. Spoon into the tube (or ice cube tray). Tap gently so mixture settles to the bottom. 

Let dry overnight before using.