As children, most of us had the joy of playing with sidewalk chalk outside. Whether you drew on your driveway, the sidewalk, or the street, you created beautiful, colorful pictures with easy-to-use chalk that washed away at next rain.
Then, you’d go to school, and the teachers would write with small, white chalk on their chalkboards. But what about that beautiful sidewalk chalk? Wouldn’t school be more fun if the teachers wrote in bright colors?
So, can you use sidewalk chalk on a chalkboard? Yes, sidewalk chalk and regular chalk are both generally made using the same material, calcium carbonate. However, there are some exceptions, and chalks made of other materials may not write as well on a chalkboard.
If you’ve ever looked at a chalkboard covered in bland, white writing and wondered if you could make it colorful with sidewalk chalk, then keep reading. We’ve got all the details below.
Sidewalk Chalk Vs Chalkboard Chalk
Sidewalk chalk and regular chalk are generally the same. Regular chalk, also sometimes referred to as school chalk, usually comes in small, thin, white sticks that are designed to be easy to hold and write with.
Sidewalk chalk comes in much thicker, larger sticks that are easier for kid hands to grab and hold while drawing. As we mentioned, most chalk is made using calcium carbonate. Sometimes, sidewalk chalk is made using calcium sulfate instead.
There are also a lot of DIY recipes to make your own sidewalk chalk using plaster, and this type of sidewalk chalk generally doesn’t work well on chalkboards because of its brittle texture. It crumbles on the chalkboard and leaves marks behind.
Sidewalk chalk from the store, however, is generally made using calcium carbonate or calcium sulfate. Either of these materials are fine and will work great on a chalkboard.
To know exactly what your chalk is made of, check the ingredients list on the package. You can even compare a box of regular chalk to sidewalk chalk and see if they’re the same material.
Using Sidewalk Chalk On A Chalkboard
Some of you may have never thought to use sidewalk chalk on a chalkboard, and now may be wondering, “Why would you want to use sidewalk chalk on a chalkboard?”
Sidewalk chalk can actually write smoother than most regular chalk on a chalkboard. Although the sticks are large, you can still get small, easy-to-read lines with sidewalk chalk when drawing on a chalkboard.
Using sidewalk chalk also provides the option of color. There are some school chalks that come in a small amount of colors, but not nearly the variety you can get with some sidewalk chalk packs.
Check out our article about the 5 best chalks for sidewalk art to find a selection of great sidewalk chalk variety packs.
Another nice thing about using sidewalk chalk on a chalkboard is that you can use it wet to get more vibrant colors and help with clean-up.
Simply dip the end of your sidewalk chalk in water, dab it on a washcloth or paper towel, then start writing or drawing on the chalkboard. It may seem dull at first, but as the chalk dries, you’ll notice the colors are richer and more vibrant.
Whether you use it wet or dry, sidewalk chalk is incredibly easy to clean off of a chalkboard. Simply wipe the surface with a wet washcloth or wet wipe and the chalk will disappear. If you used the chalk already wet, it’s even easier to wipe off.
Using sidewalk chalk on a chalkboard can provide a fun activity for people of all ages, but especially children. You can find a set of small chalkboards to give kids their own creative space to draw.
If you give them sidewalk chalk instead of regular chalk, it makes the activity more fun and colorful. This can work at home or in a classroom.
Can You Use Liquid Chalk On A Regular Chalkboard?
Yes! This is good news for those of you who hate the sound of chalk writing on a chalkboard. Rather than sidewalk chalk or regular chalk, you can use liquid chalk markers on a chalkboard.
Not only does this eliminate the harsh sound of chalk on a chalkboard, but it also helps with clean-up as liquid chalk markers are easily wiped away.
Liquid chalk markers can also be used on other surfaces like glass and ceramics, so one set can help you with many crafts!
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