Barn Side Chalkboard
Supplies:
Plywood (optional)
Un-sanded grout
Outdoor paint of any color (green or black for a traditional chalkboard)
Paintbrush or roller
There are lots of different chalkboards that a person can make, like a toy box chalkboard, a coffee mug chalkboard, or a full-length mirror chalkboard. But most people make a chalkboard for the inside of the house. That’s where someone can sit and play with the board; that’s where a chalkboard belongs. Or does it? Is there a law against having a chalkboard outside? No? Then let’s make one!
Your yard is a great place to make a chalkboard for a child. If you have an outbuilding of some sort, like a barn, a garage or a shed, you’ve got a fantastic place for a child to write and draw. All you have to do is section off an area of the building – on an outer wall – and turn it into a playful chalkboard for your kids.
If the barn or other outbuilding has a slick side, you can make the chalkboard right on it. If the building has planks it’s best to hang a piece of wood on the building; a sheet of plywood is perfect. Screw it to the building and you’re ready to paint. Make sure that, whether you’re putting plywood on the building, or painting directly on the barn, it’s low enough for the child to reach.
Good luck trying to find outdoor chalkboard paint, even online. But you can easily make your own. Use any color of outdoor paint – black or green for a traditional chalkboard – to make your own. Buy un-sanded grout from a home improvement store and stir eight tablespoons into one gallon of outdoor paint. If you need less than that, just stir in two tablespoons of the grout to one cup of the paint.
Paint the board, the side of the building, or another outdoor area. It will likely take at least two coats to get complete coverage. When it dries your child can start having a fun time. He or she will have a fabulous time writing, drawing, and creating. Make a huge chalkboard and the child’s friends can join in. Make the chalkboard so that kids stand up to draw, or make it much lower, and line up some lawn chairs. Actually, you might as well sit down and join them. After all, you did all the work!
