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October 22, 2012 | 23 Comments

Make Your Own Travel Size Chalkboard

Turn dollar store clipboards into travel size chalkboards. This idea comes straight from my son’s kindergarten classroom. They do handwriting on little chalkboards and his teacher even pointed out that traditional chalkboards provide resistance that smoother surfaces like dry erase don’t. New writers often need that resistance to be successful in shaping the letters.  I made these during the week and when I put them out for my son this weekend I wasn’t even inside let alone ready with the camera before he was busy writing.

  1. Gather your materials. You will need some chalkboard paint ( ours is from ages ago when we made our wall chalk board) , dollar store clip boards, a paint brush,painter’s tape
    and chalk for when it’s done.
  2. Start by taping off your board surface with painter’s tape.
  3. Paint. Let dry and add a 2nd coat.
  4. Peel off the tape. Voila – these cost me $1 each for the board, I already had the paint  and tape and 47cents for the chalk.  Pretty good deal.
  5. Write and write and write!  He loves them and if you have been following the saga of my son hating to write you will know that him loving  writing is a big deal. We just used a dusting cloth for an eraser, worked beautifully!

What I love about these is that they are small and light enough to take in a car or a plane but big enough for small hands to write on. They will definitely be in the bag for our next long plane ride but will be used all the time at home too.

This post contains an affiliate link.

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Kindergarten, Chalk, Chalkboard, Preschool Crafts, Writing Activities | 23 Comments

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23 Comments

  1. Hannah @ Making Boys Men says

    October 22, 2012 at 8:06 am

    I love that you can still use the clipboard for other activities if you like.

    to Hannah @ Making Boys Men" aria-label='reply to this comment to Hannah @ Making Boys Men'>reply to this comment
  2. Kirstylee says

    October 22, 2012 at 8:48 am

    This is great! I use a mini chalkboard with my son for preschool, but the one I got is from the dollar store and it could use an upgrade. I think I’ll tackle making a clipboard chalkboard right after Halloween.

    to Kirstylee" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kirstylee'>reply to this comment
  3. Abby says

    October 22, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    I LOVE this! As an OT, I use small chalkboards all of the time for the extra tactile feedback it provides. These DIY chalkboards are such a great idea!

    to Abby" aria-label='reply to this comment to Abby'>reply to this comment
  4. Kelly says

    October 22, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    Such a great idea!

    to Kelly" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kelly'>reply to this comment
  5. Bek @ Just For Daisy says

    October 22, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    I love this idea! They look fabulous and anything portable is popular around here with Mummy and Miss Daisy!

    to Bek @ Just For Daisy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Bek @ Just For Daisy'>reply to this comment
  6. Asia Hadley says

    October 27, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    I love this idea and look forward to making one for my little one, too!

    to Asia Hadley" aria-label='reply to this comment to Asia Hadley'>reply to this comment
  7. Becky says

    November 3, 2012 at 11:03 pm

    I love this. I use boards all the time and never thought to make one.

    Great Idea!

    to Becky" aria-label='reply to this comment to Becky'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      November 3, 2012 at 11:59 pm

      Thanks- one of ours is hanging on the wall as a cafe menu board for our play kitchen right now. The play never ends!

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  8. Katherine Collmer says

    April 28, 2013 at 10:05 am

    This is such a wonderful idea! Found it via Pinterest:) Thanks! Will share as well!

    to Katherine Collmer" aria-label='reply to this comment to Katherine Collmer'>reply to this comment
  9. char says

    June 9, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    Great idea for to use with grandchildren now visiting — Can send the boards along with them for their long trip home after using here.

    to char" aria-label='reply to this comment to char'>reply to this comment
  10. Jeanine says

    September 14, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Ok Alli, I have been a follower for quite sometime now. I HAVE to ask: When is a book coming out? When will you share with us, in one place book coming out??!!! Then, I can just pick up the book look and get started with incredible, fun, easy to make for moms and teachers, educational activities?!??? If there is anyone on line in children’s fun bloggaverse that should have a book published its YOU! It should also include pages and pages of books suggested by you as well. For me your site is like an encyclopedia! I really love and appreciate all of the activities advice and reviews you share here. Never ever a wasted read. Thank you

    to Jeanine" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jeanine'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      September 15, 2015 at 11:57 am

      Thank you so much! I will be sharing more about my book soon, the first copies just sgot shipped to the publisher!! The book will be released November 10th!!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  11. Cedar Group says

    January 30, 2020 at 1:05 am

    Loved the article!

    to Cedar Group" aria-label='reply to this comment to Cedar Group'>reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. Think Outside the Stacks: Early Childhood Blogs for Librarians Part 1 | Beth Reads says:
    January 23, 2013 at 8:14 am

    […] Make Your Own Travel Size Chalkboards How cheap and easy would it be to make a bunch of these for storytime or a beginning reader activity station? […]

    to Think Outside the Stacks: Early Childhood Blogs for Librarians Part 1 | Beth Reads" aria-label='reply to this comment to Think Outside the Stacks: Early Childhood Blogs for Librarians Part 1 | Beth Reads'>reply to this comment
  2. Spell with Alphabet Beads and Build Fine Motor Skills - No Time For Flash Cards says:
    May 10, 2013 at 12:08 am

    […] low stress ways to get them to draw and write more ( like playing with an easel , make your own mini chalk boards or design your own cards ) and the other is to work on their fine motor skill development. Building […]

    to Spell with Alphabet Beads and Build Fine Motor Skills - No Time For Flash Cards" aria-label='reply to this comment to Spell with Alphabet Beads and Build Fine Motor Skills - No Time For Flash Cards'>reply to this comment
  3. literacy outside ideas says:
    June 3, 2013 at 5:32 am

    […] the beach, the woods or wherever you’re playing outside. No Time for Flashcards has a great DIY travel clipboard you could […]

    to literacy outside ideas" aria-label='reply to this comment to literacy outside ideas'>reply to this comment
  4. Ways to display your favorite quotes (or your to-do list) | quote closet says:
    June 28, 2013 at 9:41 am

    […] … on a clipboard (from No Time for Flashcards) […]

    to Ways to display your favorite quotes (or your to-do list) | quote closet" aria-label='reply to this comment to Ways to display your favorite quotes (or your to-do list) | quote closet'>reply to this comment
  5. Make Family Road Trips Educational { sweepstakes } - No Time For Flash Cards says:
    July 19, 2013 at 12:12 am

    […] 4. Travel chalkboards. Use them to play hangman, practice drawing road signs, play tic tac toe and more. Bring a plastic cup full of chalk to put in your cup holder. Here’s a tutorial for making your own. […]

    to Make Family Road Trips Educational { sweepstakes } - No Time For Flash Cards" aria-label='reply to this comment to Make Family Road Trips Educational { sweepstakes } - No Time For Flash Cards'>reply to this comment
  6. 7 kids games with chalk :: Simple Play - NurtureStore says:
    January 28, 2014 at 11:15 am

    […] leave home with out them! Chalks are so easy to pack for holidays or days out and with these super travel size chalkboards from No Time For Flashcards you can chalk in the car, par, […]

    to 7 kids games with chalk :: Simple Play - NurtureStore" aria-label='reply to this comment to 7 kids games with chalk :: Simple Play - NurtureStore'>reply to this comment
  7. Crafting a Green World | The home for green crafts and tutorials! says:
    April 18, 2014 at 7:33 am

    […] 22. Chalkboard clipboards […]

    to Crafting a Green World | The home for green crafts and tutorials!" aria-label='reply to this comment to Crafting a Green World | The home for green crafts and tutorials!'>reply to this comment
  8. Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose: 50 Ways to Revamp Your Decor with Chalkboard Paint | hometips.co.za says:
    April 18, 2014 at 9:52 am

    […] 22. Chalkboard clipboards […]

    to Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose: 50 Ways to Revamp Your Decor with Chalkboard Paint | hometips.co.za" aria-label='reply to this comment to Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose: 50 Ways to Revamp Your Decor with Chalkboard Paint | hometips.co.za'>reply to this comment
  9. How To Set Up A Playroom Your Kids Will Use - No Time For Flash Cards says:
    October 27, 2014 at 8:47 am

    […] The writing center is a place to play with letters with pencils, markers, and even stamps. Our travel chalkboard and small Magna Doodle are more tools for writing. The easel gets used for drawing, writing, and […]

    to How To Set Up A Playroom Your Kids Will Use - No Time For Flash Cards" aria-label='reply to this comment to How To Set Up A Playroom Your Kids Will Use - No Time For Flash Cards'>reply to this comment
  10. Make Your Own Bath Toy Holder | Woodworking Guide 4 You says:
    April 16, 2016 at 1:23 am

    […] Make Your Own Travel Size Chalkboard […]

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