Co-op Kids: DIY Sidewalk Chalk
I saw a story on the news this week about CeMental Breaks, using sidewalk chalk to create mindful moments. A few weeks ago, a coworker wanted to pick up some sidewalk chalk, and there wasn't any to be found. My neighborhood sidewalks have been filled with fun drawings, inspirational quotes, and event the StarTribune has noticed: https://m.startribune.com/beautiful-chalk-art-springs-up-across-twin-cities-during-pandemic/569441901/ If you've wanted to get outside and indulge in chalk art, but haven't been able to find any at the store, here's a couple ways to make chalk at home!
There are two basic recipes using ingredients you may already have at the house. For either recipe, you'll need food coloring or other dyeing agent, small bowls and spoons to mix the ingredients, and something to shape the chalk while it dries. My most commonly used craft supply is apparently the toilet paper roll tube. That will work here! You could also use large paper straws, silicone cupcake liners, or anything else that will hold it's shape while the chalk dries and can be flexed to remove the finished product or torn away to reveal your creation. You might even be able to use cookie cutters on a lined baking tray, but I haven't tested this theory.
The first recipe is cornstarch based.
Mix equal parts water and cornstarch. You can do this by weight or using measuring cups. A good starting place would be 1 cup of each.
Stir until combined. The properties of cornstarch means this mixture might be difficult to stir, but slow and steady is the way to go. It should have a smooth, thick consistency when you're done stirring.
Portion the mixture out so you can add different colors. I like to separate it into several bowls and then add the color.
Add food coloring, a few drops at a time and stir until the color is fully blended. When the chalk dries, the color will not be as bright and vibrant, so don't be afraid to add more color!
Prepare the molds, if necessary. If you're using straws or toilet paper tubes, you'll need to seal one end. You can rubber band wax paper to the end or use masking tape to cover the bottom.
Transfer the mixture into your molds by scooping it with the spoon. Depending on the size and shape of your molds, you might even need a small funnel. If you don't have one handy, you can make one out of paper.
Let the mixture dry completely. This could take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Once it's dry, you can remove the chalk from it's mold.
Now you're ready to go make some beautiful sidewalk art!
The second recipe has crushed egg shells and flour. It is very similar to the cornstarch recipe, once you've make egg shell powder. Read on for more details!
Before you get started, you'll need to collect some egg shells. Perhaps you'll be making a big breakfast frittata in the near future? If you're not cooking a lot of eggs at one time, you can save the shells as you use them in your normal kitchen routine. It's okay if they aren't perfectly free of egg whites. The important thing to note is that you will want the egg shells to be dry when you proceed to the next step.
Using a mortar and pestle, the back of a spoon, or even a food processor, crush the egg shells. You want a powder consistency and no large shards of shell to remain.
Combine the egg shell powder with twice as much flour. You can do this by weight, use measuring cups or just eyeball it.
Add water, a little bit at a time and stir until combined. It should have a smooth, thick consistency when you're done stirring.
Portion the mixture out so you can add different colors. I like to separate it into several bowls and then add the color.
Add food coloring, a few drops at a time and stir until the color is fully blended. When the chalk dries, the color will not be as bright and vibrant, so don't be afraid to add more color!
Prepare the molds, if necessary. If you're using straws or toilet paper tubes, you'll need to seal one end. You can rubber band wax paper to the end or use masking tape to cover the bottom.
Transfer the mixture into your molds by scooping it with the spoon. Depending on the size and shape of your molds, you might even need a small funnel. If you don't have one handy, you can make one out of paper.
Let the mixture dry completely. This could take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Once it's dry, you can remove the chalk from it's mold.
Now you're ready to go make some beautiful sidewalk art!
CeMental Break has a great program for folks in the Twin Cities. With your new homemade chalk, you can sign up to provide CeMental Breaks to businesses and residents that have been nominated. If you would like to volunteer to provide CeMental Breaks to others, send an email to cementalbreak@gmail.com with your name and the area of the Twin Cities that you live in. You can also submit nominations at https://www.cementalbreak.com/givethemabreak
