There’s something wonderfully satisfying about making your own toys — especially when they double up as outdoor fun. This week we’re kicking off with a hands-on, creative activity your kids will love: Pavement Clay Chalk.
This simple, natural recipe uses ingredients you might already have at home, and the results are colourful, chunky chalks perfect for decorating driveways, concrete paths or garden patios.
What you’ll need
• 60g white clay (Kaolin is perfect)
• 50g arrowroot flour
• Water
• Natural colouring (one per batch) – if you want to, you can use food colouring. Ideas for natural colourants are turmeric to give yellow, ground cranberry powder for pink, spirulina powder for green.
Tools:
• Medium mixing bowl
• Scales
• Mixing spoon
• 5 small mixing bowls
• Container (lined with baking paper)
Get making
1. In a medium mixing bowl, weigh out the white clay and arrowroot flour.
2. Mix these together, stirring until smooth and lump-free.
3. Divide the mixture into three small bowls. Add different colours to each and mix well.
4. Add enough water to each batch to make a thick, mouldable paste that holds together. You don’t want it to be too damp.
5. With slightly damp hands, scoop and roll each colour into a log shape (not too thin). It works best if you roll the clay mix gently on baking paper to create the chalk shape.
6. Place your chalk logs in the lined container and leave to set at room temperature. This can take a few days depending on humidity.
7. Once dry, they’re ready to use!
Once your chalks are dry, take them outdoors and let the creativity begin. Driveways, pavements, chalkboards — they’re all fair game. Best of all, the drawings should wash away with rain or water.
We hope this activity inspires a bit of sunshine-filled fun. Keep an eye out for more nature-inspired makes throughout the week!
Credit: Original recipe by Krissy Ballinger from her brilliant kids activity book “Make & Play”. You can find more of her beautiful natural living ideas at Krissy Ballinger – Naturally Inspired. If you are interested in home DIY for cleaning, she’s a great source of inspiration.
