*contains affiliate links to help support this blog
When the weather is nice, we usually set out a basket of sidewalk chalk and mini bubbles at the circulation desk for kids to use after school or throughout the summer. Seeing all the doodles as you walk by is so innocent and heartwarming, and you can't help but smile. While browsing outdoor activities, I found instructions on making homemade chalk, and we turned it into a program.
Program Details:
When you make sidewalk chalk, it takes 48 hours to use because of dry time. Kids + waiting = no one has a good time. So, we turned it into an obstacle course day as well! We had tables set up outside, one with supplies for making chalk and another with obstacle course items, including cones, signs, chalk, and hoops.
Set-up: DIY Chalk was set up assembly-line style. Two librarians were set up on one side of the table, and kids were on the other. They received their supplies at one end and ingredients as they walked down the line. After they made their chalk, they set it aside and grabbed supplies for the obstacle course. Kids could pick a sidewalk square or two, write instructions, draw hopscotch, etc. Then, we started at one end and made our way to the end. Lots of spinning, hopping, dancing, jumping, and skipping.
Chalk Supplies:
Plaster of Paris Dry Powder
Tempera Paint
Disposable Cups
For Mixing (I re-use these ALL OF THE TIME) - https://amzn.to/4b8UeEG
For the Mold - https://amzn.to/4bx2pun
Large Popsicle Sticks for mixing (I keep these on hand)
Obstacle Course Supplies:
Sidewalk Chalk I keep this at the Children's circulation desk, too!
Play Traffic Signs pricy, but we use these regularly for other programming, too!
Traffic Cones
How To Make Sidewalk Chalk:
Fill your larger cup with 3/4 cup of water
Add 1 cup of Plaster of Paris
Mix well with a stir stick
Add about a tablespoon of paint to each of the smaller cups. These are your molds.
Pour plaster mixture into molds and mix with the paint
Let dry for 24 hours. Remove them from the mold (be careful because they are still soft, and you need to pop them out carefully). Let them dry outside the molds for an additional 24 hours!
Editable Canva template with instructions: https://shorturl.at/egHS7
Results:
The assembly line was key here. The plaster begins to set up fairly quickly, so you must add the ingredients, stir, and pour all within about 5-10 minutes. The kids left the sticks in so when they dry, they look like popsicles!
If you use the mixing cups I linked above, you only need to let them dry, lightly squeeze them, and the plaster crumbles and pops right out! No washing is needed! I use those containers for painting, mixing, scooping, etc. I highly recommend them! We initially did this program two years ago and plan to do it again this year!
Be notified of my next blog post! Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558999238748
Comentários