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.
- 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.
- Start by taping off your board surface with painter’s tape.
- Paint. Let dry and add a 2nd coat.
- 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.
- 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.
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Hannah @ Making Boys Men says
I love that you can still use the clipboard for other activities if you like.
Kirstylee says
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.
Abby says
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!
Kelly says
Such a great idea!
Bek @ Just For Daisy says
I love this idea! They look fabulous and anything portable is popular around here with Mummy and Miss Daisy!
Asia Hadley says
I love this idea and look forward to making one for my little one, too!
Becky says
I love this. I use boards all the time and never thought to make one.
Great Idea!
admin says
Thanks- one of ours is hanging on the wall as a cafe menu board for our play kitchen right now. The play never ends!
Katherine Collmer says
This is such a wonderful idea! Found it via Pinterest:) Thanks! Will share as well!
char says
Great idea for to use with grandchildren now visiting — Can send the boards along with them for their long trip home after using here.
Jeanine says
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
Allison McDonald says
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!!
Cedar Group says
Loved the article!