Here’s how to make your own chalk at home from plaster of Paris. It’s surprisingly cheap and easy to make. You can pick up novelty shaped silicone ice cube moulds in places like IKEA to make fun shapes. The finished chalk can be packaged up to make cute gifts or themed party favours. Try hiding them inside plastic eggs for a chocolate-free Easter hunt.
You will need:
- Craft plaster of Paris powder
- Water
- Silicone ice cube mould
- Disposable container and stirrer
- Power tempera (poster) paint for coloured chalks
How to make the chalk:
- For coloured chalks, stir in a large teaspoonful of powder tempera (poster) paint through a cup of plaster of Paris powder. For white chalk, you don’t need to add any paint powder.
- Mix the craft plaster of Paris powder with water in a disposable container using a ratio of 2 parts plaster to 1 part water. You won’t want to wash plaster down the sink so a disposable container works best.
- Stir well until the plaster is about the consistency of pancake batter. It should be quite thick but able to pour.
- Pour the plaster into the silicone mould and tap the mould gently to help release any bubbles.
- Leave to set for around 24 hours then pop out the chalks.
- Leave to fully dry for another 24 hours before using.
