Chalk Boards

Make a Working Chalkboard Using Cork

If your little one loves to play teacher, imagining that she is the head of her own small classroom, consider making her a personalized chalkboard to keep as part of her play set. A handmade chalkboard is an inexpensive alternative to purchasing a similar item pre-made from a toy store, where play teacher sets can sometimes be expensive. Plus, you can use a sheet of cardboard, a versatile material, to act as the foundation of the piece.

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When making a chalkboard from a piece of cardboard, you should first consider how large you want the item to be. It mustn’t take up too much room in the child’s bedroom; about 2 feet by 1 foot is ideal. Cut the cardboard to size using sharp scissors, then lay it flat on the ground over a few pieces of newspaper. To get the chalkboard effect, you then must apply a coating of chalkboard paint. Chalkboard paint is a material that, once dries, gives the exact effect of a real chalkboard. Kids can write on it and erase drawings just as they can with a real classroom chalkboard.

Find the paint at any building supply or craft store; anywhere they sell paint. Apply a thin, even coat of the paint using a brush, then let dry. You may need to apply a second coat if you see spots of the cardboard showing through. Let dry completely before trying to continue on with the project.

Once the chalkboard is dry, add some touches to make it more school like. You can glue an old plastic canister to the bottom of the board, using super glue or hot glue, to make a place where accessories can be stored. Plop some sticks of chalk and an eraser in there, so your child has everything she needs in one spot.

To set up the chalkboard, consider what works best for your child’s play area. If there is a clear spot on the wall where you would like to keep the chalkboard permanently, by all means nail the board directly into the wall. If there isn’t any free space, or you’re just not comfortable nailing the chalkboard up, find an artist’s easel and prop the chalkboard on it. Or, just prop the chalkboard on top of your child’s dresser for easy access.

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By the time you are finished, your little one will have an inexpensive but fun new play toy. And who knows? She just may be that much more excited to keep up with her own schooling.