I’ve been wanting to make outdoor chalkboards for the boys for a very long time, mainly because I wanted a designated “chalk area” in our yard instead of allowing them to draw all over the patio. I wouldn’t mind artwork on the patio so much, but the baby inevitably ends up crawling through piles of “fairy dust” that Sutton insists upon creating by grinding his chalk down to dust. No bueno.
The back corner of our yard is the boys’ rock pit/digging area. We intended to turn the corner into a kids play garden with a bean teepee and sunflowers, but weather and sickness derailed us this year…maybe next year! Honestly, they probably enjoy digging in the rocks even more than they would have liked the teepee, but at least we got a few sunflowers planted in the corner! I figured that the corner would be the perfect home for the outdoor chalkboards.
We got a 4’x8′ standard sheet of plywood from the hardware store (check to find the smoothest one you can get), and then we filled the knots and blemishes with outdoor wood putty. Sawyer loved helping with that part. After the putty was dry we used the electric sander to create a smooth surface. I reserved a 2’x4′ piece of plywood for another project I have in mind, and then Mitch cut the remaining piece into two 3’x4′ pieces and gave it a coat of primer.
I had seen a recipe on Martha Stewart for homemade chalkboard paint and since we had a half gallon of dark blue paint sitting in the garage, we decided to make our own. The basic recipe is 2 tablespoons of non-sanded grout to each cup of paint. We gave our boards three coats, but two would have probably been sufficient – I just made way too much paint and didn’t want to waste it!
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| (He’s trying to model his new mama-made pajama shorts here LOL!) |
It works great, and the chalkboards were a {HUGE} hit with the boys!
The 3’x4′ size worked out really well. It’s a great big canvas to let your imagination run free, but it’s also big enough that there’s plenty of room to share when friends come over to play.
It seems like every time I turn around this guy is back out there making new masterpieces.
This guy loves his too, but he’s been a little bit distracted by the empty garden bed that has turned into digging area #2…and digging in mud is even better than rocks!
I added a couple of hooks to hold a bucket full of chalk, a rag and a spray bottle for erasing. It does erase dry, but a light spritz of water works even better. I’m SO pleased that my patio is no longer a giant canvas, and Simon is even happier that his knees aren’t constantly covered in chalk dust any more! 🙂
Heidi Kundin, the vibrant force behind Happiness is Homemade, has captivated the hearts of millions with her colorful and inspiring approach to crafting, celebrations, and family fun. With 15 years of experience, Heidi’s website has become a must-visit destination for those seeking fresh and engaging ideas. Her warm personality shines through her posts, inviting readers to join her on a creative journey that’s not only fun but also achievable and budget-conscious. As a mother of three, Heidi expertly balances family life and her passion for creativity, proving that with a little imagination and dedication, happiness truly can be homemade!
Lisa says
I have a daycare in my home and have wanted to do this since last year, hubby is a little slow at getting it done. Now we have dogs next door that bark at our cat in the back yard. I figure if I tell my husband that we could put a couple of chalkboards in front of the fence to block the dogs view they will be done by May 2014.Hope it works, plus we will be using boards that are just laying around taking up space in the garage.
lynn says
could you possibly tell us if you where able to leave this up all year round. I live in Upstate NY and I want to paint in my shed which is exposed to cold and heat. how do they hold up or do you move them to say a garage that is not conditioned. I would really love to do this in the shed for the kids but I’m afraid the board will not make it through a winter?
Heidi says
We keep ours up year-round, and have not had any issues with them. We are in Northern California, and we get a lot of triple digit temperatures in summer and down to about the 30’s in winter (lots of rain, but no snow). I do think that ours will be ready for a new coat of paint next Spring though – they have held up really well, but I think that anything outside for a few years will generally require a fresh coat of paint from time to time. I am actually very surprised with how well the wood itself has held up to the elements – no warping, splitting or cracking to speak of!
Robin says
Just wondering how you made the rock pit? And how to the chalkboards hold up in the rain?
Anonymous says
Thanks for the great tutorial. Can you tell me if you waited a few hours or a few days before letting the kids use it? Some websites say to let the paint cure for 3 days. I think that is for the canned stuff though. My kids won’t be able to wait that long!
Lissa (Bellenza) says
Motherhood + crafting skills = amazing ideas for keeping kids creatively occupied! Congrats!
Melissa M says
Those turnrd out awesome!
Nicki O'Donovan says
What a great idea!!