Chalk Caddy

What You Need:

• Large plastic container (try reusing a large cottage cheese or yogurt container)
• Tissue paper
• Clear drying, non-toxic glue
• Paintbrush
• Plastic cup
• Scissors
• Yarn
• Marker
• Sequins (optional)

What You Do:

1. Ask your child to cut different colors of tissue paper into strips that are at least two inches thick. She can measure the length by wrapping the tissue around the plastic container and marking a line.
2. Have her fill the plastic art cup (not to be used for food products) with a small amount of glue. Add in half as much water as glue, and mix it up with a paint brush. Invite her to paint the container with the glue-water mixture.
3. Next, ask her to wrap the tissue paper around the glued container in sections. If some of the glue is drying, reapply before pressing the tissue paper on. Try creating a pattern of alternating colors, such as red-blue-green-red-blue-green. As the glue and tissue mix, the color may begin to run—but this can create a cool, tie-dyed effect.
4. As an optional extra, she can add sparkling sequins onto the tissue paper with glue.
5. Invite her to coat the tissue paper with a layer of the glue-water mixture. Set aside to dry.
6. Now, have her choose a few numbers and letters. If you want to sneak in some writing practice, have her draw these on a piece of paper with markers or crayons first, before gluing them on. Older children can handle drawing the letters or numbers directly onto the container. The numbers and letters should be fairly large in size (at least three to four inches tall).
7. Turn the container on its side, and help her draw over the marker lines with the glue. Cut pieces of yarn to size, and ask her to bend the yarn lines to cover the glue. Set aside to dry.
8. Once dry, fill the caddy with colorful sidewalk chalk ... and enjoy!

Children who prefer to carry a caddy with a handle may want to try a bucket instead of a plastic container. Find an inexpensive kids’ plastic bucket at a dollar or craft store, and follow the same directions as if you were reusing a yogurt container.