Fun with Essential Oils: DIY Sidewalk Chalk

Just because summer is over doesn't mean the outdoor fun has to stop. Back to school time is challenging for many parents. Between meet-the-teacher nights, working 9-5, and evening extra curricular, you run out of time to spend with your families, or dare we say, relax yourself! 
 
Here at Sha-Faun enterprises, we know this time of year goes by quickly. We wanted to give you a fun and easy activity you can do with your kids while the weather is still nice enough to get your kids outside— DIY Sidewalk Chalk! 
 
DIY Sidewalk Chalk with Essential Oils
 
What better way to get your kids involved with the basics of aromatherapy than letting their creative juices flow with some homemade sidewalk chalk that smells just as beautiful as their art looks? 
 
We love the idea of making things at home with your kids. The conversations you'll have with your kids while you teach them to mix and pour while making home crafts are priceless. Here's a way to start adding the basics of aromatherapy to the conversation by using Young Living essential oils while you craft with your kiddos! 
 
DIY Essential Oils Sidewalk Chalk: 
 
Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup of Plaster of Paris
• 6 tablespoons of cold water
• Gel food coloring- the color of your choice
• 1-3 drops of your favorite kid-friendly essential oil. (We recommend Kidscents Essential Oil Blend)
• 1 Plastic cup per recipe
• 1 Plastic Spoon or popsicle stick per recipe — for mixing 
• Silicone mold-homemade granola bar or mini bread molds work great for this! 

*Disclaimer- We highly recommend using plastic cups and spoons when making DIY sidewalk chalk. Instead of washing dishes, save yourself time and effort and toss the cups and spoons! Plaster of Paris can clog your pipes if not correctly disposed of. 
 
Special Note: This recipe is meant for one color. If you're making more than one color, repeat this recipe with new cups and spoons! 
 
Directions: 

1. Add your cold water to the plastic cup. 
2. Add your food coloring to the cup and mix—use enough food coloring to get your desired color, keeping in mind the Plaster of Paris will lighten the color. 
3. Add in your Plaster of Paris and essential oils—mix until fully incorporated. 
4. Gently pour your mixture into your mold. 
5. Tap your molds on the counter to remove any air bubbles. 
6. Once dry, remove your chalk from the molds and store it in a cool, dry place until you're ready to use. 
   

 
For best results, allow your chalk to dry in the molds for 24 hours.
 
Make sure you mix slowly at first. Otherwise, the plaster powder will go everywhere! At Sha-Faun, we tend to make this chalk outdoors, so we don't have to worry about big mess clean-ups inside. 
 
Like any store-bought sidewalk chalk, this chalk washes away with rain or your hose so that your kids can create their art again and again! 
 
To learn more ways to get creative with essential oils, start your Young Living essential oil journey with us today!