Noah discovered the container of chalk yesterday and wanted to draw with it.
As I was getting out some black paper I spied the roll of chalkboard contact paper that Micador had given us a while ago. It’s been sitting there in the cupboard waiting for me to come up with an awesome project worthy of breaking it out of the packaging.
The thing is, after all those months, I still had no idea what that project would be. So I did something drastic… I grabbed the roll of chalkboard contact, ripped open the packaging and decided to make a blackboard for Noah to draw on.
We have an upright chalkboard on one side of our easel, but I had something different in mind. I wanted to created a flat, table sized, chalkboard that was easily portable.
I cut the sides off a large cardboard box (we have a never ending supply thanks to our renovations) and stuck two large pieces together so they would be nice and sturdy. Then I covered one side with the chalkboard contact paper… done!
The reason I wanted to make a flat chalkboard was so that we could use it for more than just drawing. I grabbed a selection of ‘loose parts‘ – stones, glass pebbles, plastic ‘rocks’ (my kids call them emeralds!) and the coloured dots from our Speilgaben set – and some chalk of course.
Once set up on the table I drew a spiral and placed a few gems along the line, hoping it would spark Noah’s interest. I had no idea just how he would adore this set up or all the cool things he would create with it!
First we played with spirals, squiggles and shapes. Adding more marks and drawings and lining up loose parts along the lines. Excellent fine motor and pre-writing practice.
When we cleaned off the chalkboard to draw something new Noah decided to draw his favourite thing… Daddy! A whole family of people were drawn and embellished with the loose parts.
After lunch we cleaned it off again and added some cars, roads, and a car park, of course!
Incorporating the chalk board and loose parts into imaginative play was lots of fun, and soon we had collected some animals to make a farm, drawing fences and adding little piles of food.
When I first decided to use my precious chalkboard contact paper for this project I had no idea that it was just the super cool and awesome project I had been waiting for!
There are not many activities that capture an active three year old’s imagination and spark his creativity in the way this simple chalkboard play did, and I am so glad I opened the packet and made that simple chalk board.
This morning there was a little surprise waiting for Noah on his new chalk board… and so the creating continues!
Can you think of any other ways we can use our new chalkboard?
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{disclosure: We were given a selection of Micador Art supplies to try out. I was not obligated to write this post nor compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own.}
Jen says
Fantastic! I bought a roll of that stuff on sale to make a shopping list / menu board on one of my cupboards (which has been terrific) but I know there was leftovers and this would be great for my boys…if I can just remember where I put it…
Vanessa says
What a brilliant idea. Well done.
Kate@LaughingKidsLearn says
Absolutely SENSATIONAL! What a great idea and a fun way of using bits and pieces. I also love that the chalkboard you made allows your child to create different activities everytime they use it. So creative.
Sarah says
This is a fantastic idea. My 3 year old would love this.
Emma says
I love the idea of having a flat chalkboard. Your son came up with such creative ideas!
Bek @ Just For Daisy says
Love this!! Soooo much!! Just brilliant! :)
Sarah says
This. Is. Fabulous. I love the creativity it sparked and the way you guys combined 2 dimensional art (the chalkboard) with 3 dimensional art – all the pieces. The possibilities are endless! So, so cool. I’m pinning this!
Mary Catherine says
I’ve already pinned this, but had to stop and leave you a message. I LOVE this idea, and I already have plans to try it out in my preschool class in September. Lovely!!
katepickle says
Thanks for taking the time to comment and I hope your preschool class enjoys the activity as much as we are!
Renèe @ adventuresathomewithmum says
Excellent idea to use chalk in different ways
How cute is the farm
My son would enjoy this :-)
Kate says
I love this! Great idea!
Lauren Burke says
This is A.W.E.S.O.M.E !! I haven’t seen this before.. where do I buy ?!?!?!?!??! :)
Hannah says
What a fabulously creative idea! I looove everything he did with it too :) Love it!
Danya Banya says
Great ideas! I love that you can put a few things out to spark his interest, but he can direct the play from then on. :)
Kirsten McCulloch says
What an awesome idea Kate! I used some chalkboard paint to make a chalk table for Eliane (Ms 3) for Christmas last year, out of an old kids’ table we had sitting in a shed. It got some use, but then got forgotten. I’m going to be getting a bunch of wishing stones and pebbles and things out and giving this idea a whirl!
Jeanette Nyberg says
Drastic indeed! This is the most wonderful idea I’ve seen in a while. You know a whole bunch of us are going to be trying this out over the next week… P.S. Little Noah is a cutie cupcake.
Kate says
Wow that looks like SO MUCH FUN! I will have to buy some of that stuff if I ever come across it. Love it.
Kate - An Everyday Story says
This is absolutely my kind of activity. I LOVE it!
Jackie@My Little Bookcase says
My daughter loves creating on black surfaces. I’m sure she’d love this too. I’ve never seen the blackboard contact paper- thanks for sharing
parastoo says
very good
Chelsea @ Moments A Day says
What a fabulous post! Your pictures are always so awesome :-) I can’t wait to run across the chalkboard contact paper someday, will definitely pick some up!
Ness @ One Perfect Day says
This is so beautiful! I didn’t even know chalkboard contact paper existed. Will have to look for that for sure.
Debs says
oooh, I’ve only just seen this activity today and I LOVE it! Definitely on the cards to play soon!!!
meri cherry says
this is fantastic, inspiring, totally outside the box and AWESOME!!!! Thank you so much! I just LOVE IT!
gina says
love this one!