DIY Egg-Shaped Chalk & Crayons

1. Remove the top of your egg carton so the bottom can be used to hold the two halves of each plastic egg. Place the two egg halves across from one another in the carton so they’re easy to pair later.
2. Use your paintbrush to generously coat the inside of each egg with petroleum jelly. Applying this slippery substance will help you remove the dried chalk from its mold.
3. Combine a 1/2 cup of plaster of Paris with a 1/4 cup of water in a disposable bowl and mix. This amount should be enough to create one large egg-shaped piece of chalk.
4. For color, add one teaspoon of tempera paint and mix. To darken the color, try adding one drop of paint at a time until you’ve achieved your desired shade. Consider combining two separate colors to create two-toned eggs!
5. Pour your mixture into the two egg halves, filling them to the top. (For two-toned eggs, pour a different color into each half). Once your bowl is empty, do not pour the remaining plaster into the sink because it can clog your drains when dried. Wait for your mixture to dry in the bowl, then throw the bowl away.
6. Let the chalk mixture thicken in the mold for about 5-10 minutes, then snap the two halves together. Apply pressure to each end of the egg and shake to encourage the plaster to shape to the mold. Tapping the egg can also help with proper shaping.
7. Set the eggs in your carton and allow them to dry overnight. When removing the eggs from their molds, use a plastic, disposable knife to wedge in-between the plastic egg halves if necessary. Once you’ve removed the eggs, they’re ready to go!

Materials

1. Purchase silicone or metal egg-shaped candy molds from a baking store, craft store or online. Other molds can also be used to create a variety of fun-shaped crayons, and a basic muffin pan is convenient for creating circles.
2. Sort your crayons into the combinations you plan to melt—crayons will look best when similar shades are paired. Break the crayons up into small pieces, making sure to remove any paper. Line your molds with a non-stick spray, and carefully place each group of colors into a different mold, filling each to the top.
3. Preheat your oven to 300º F, and place the egg-shaped candy molds into the oven for about 5 minutes. Once the wax has melted, remove your molds from the oven, set on a cooling surface, and add more crayons to each egg shape until it is once again filled to the top. Repeat this process until you’ve fully filled each egg mold with melted wax.
4. Once the egg-shaped molds are filled, carefully remove your pan from the oven and allow it to cool for 20 minutes. For final cooling and forming, place the pan in your refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
5. To reveal your vibrant coloring supplies, simply press against the silicone molds to pop out your egg-shaped crayons, or place your metal pan in the freezer until the crayons are easy to remove. Once finished, you’re ready to color and create!

• Place Settings: Host a spring celebration, and place an arrangement of chalk or crayon eggs at the kids table as part of a seasonal place setting. We love perching them in ceramic egg cups while including a paper tablecloth that kids can draw on.
• Gifts: Take a small basket or bowl and fill it with shreds of paper or craft moss to create a nest-like arrangement for your chalk, crayons or both. Treat your packaged eggs as spring holiday gifts, and consider placing them in homemade paper envelopes. Simply find a decorative patterned scrapbook paper, fold it in half, fold in the edges and use glue or ribbon to secure.
• Egg Hunt: Place your handmade creations inside plastic eggs, and hide them as part of an egg hunt.
• Play Date: Host craft time, and prop your eggs in an egg carton so kids can easily reach for their favorites as they color or draw on chalkboards.
• Chalkboard Surfaces: Use chalkboard paint to transform ordinary surfaces into crafty playgrounds for kids’ egg-shaped chalk. Our tips for using chalkboard paint are great for getting inspired.

Do you have your own DIY ideas for creating craft supplies? Share your basic how-to with the Home Made Simple community by leaving a comment below.