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How to Make a White Chalkboard

Learn how to make a white chalkboard out of cut wood! You can have any color of paint underneath using a cool, clear chalkboard topcoat.

Skills Required: None. You don’t need any prior crafting experience for this project. You’ll be painting, taping, and painting again. Then conditioning with chalk. It’s easy.

White chalkboard with A through Z written in colored chalk

I’m at it again with another DIY chalkboard project! I did one a couple months ago (IKEA chalkboard makeover), and I knew I had to do another one.

But with this project I had another idea in mind. I really wanted it to feel like a piece of paper for the kids, so I decided to do make a white chalkboard.

Don’t worry I tested this project out for a week before I wrote the post up. The colored chalk comes right off the white chalkboard surface! I even wet a washcloth to wipe it off and had no problems at all.

This seriously is an awesome project. You know those projects that you just can’t wait to share with everyone!?! This was one of those for me, and it was a really inexpensive project to do.

So let’s get started!!

DIY White Chalkboard

Gather These Supplies

Step 1 – Cut Wood

I stopped by my local home improvement store and got a three-foot piece of wood, and had Lowe’s cut it into three 12 x 12″ pieces.

The piece of wood was only $7.00!! Use the sandpaper to smooth out if necessary, and wipe away all dust.

Two wood boards that are 12" square sitting on top of each other

Step 2 – Paint Wood

Next I painted four coats of white paint on each board, letting each coat dry 30 minutes.

Square wood board with a bottle of white paint on top

Step 3 – Tape Off and Paint Border

Now it’s time to add my border! I had these beautiful paint colors from the Martha Stewart collection that I wanted to try. I used some “trusty” washi tape to tape off my border.

I added two coats of paint for each white chalkboard and let it dry 20 minutes.

Taping off the edges of the white chalkboard and painting with pink and blue

Step 4 – Add Chalkboard Topcoat

FINALLY!!! It’s time to add our chalkboard topcoat!! I followed the bottle instructions with this part. I painted on one coat and let it dry three hours. Then I painted on my second coat and let it dry 24 hours.

Note: Mod Podge Chalkboard Topcoat no longer exists, but there are several other clear chalkboard topcoat options here.

Painting a clear chalkboard topcoat on top of the white chalkboard

Step 5 – Condition the Chalkboard

Finish up this project by sealing it with some chalk. I went over the whole chalkboard with a piece of chalk and made sure to rub it in with my fingers. Once you’re finished, then you’re ready to start using it!

Conditioning the chalkboard with a piece of white chalk

Finishing Touches

Start playing! My boys have had a great time using their chalkboards, we’ve even been using them for learning time which it great!

Child using colored chalk on top of a white chalkboard
Sailboat drawn with colorful chalk on top of a white chalkboard

I’m so glad I did this DIY chalkboard project; I think this is a great project for kids to play with or even an adult to use. Now that you know how to make a white chalkboard, will you try it? Let me know in the comments!

DIY white chalkboard

I am thinking about using some Velcro command strips to hang them on the wall. When the kids are done drawing you can hang them on the wall until they decide to draw another picture!

Yield: 1 chalkboard

White Chalkboard

It's so easy to make a DIY chalkboard out of cut wood! You can have any color of paint underneath using a cool, clear chalkboard topcoat.

Learn how to make a white chalkboard using wood, paint, and a clear chalkboard topcoat. Kids will have fun using colorful chalk right on top!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 1 hour
Additional Time 1 day 3 hours
Total Time 1 day 4 hours 10 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $7

Materials

  • Clear chalkboard topcoat
  • Wood - cut to 12" squares
  • Acrylic paint - white and another color
  • Chalk
  • Painter's tape
  • Sandpaper

Tools

  • Paintbrush

Instructions

  1. Have a piece of wood cut to 12 x 12" square. Sand smooth if necessary and wipe away dust.
  2. Paint four coats of white paint on the board, letting dry between coats.
  3. When the white paint is dry, tape off four edges of the board using painter's tape.
  4. Add two coats of paint around the edges and let dry. Remove the tape.
  5. Add your clear chalkboard topcoat to the board, following bottle instructions for application.
  6. Finish up this project by sealing it with some white chalk. Rub the chalk all over the chalkboard. It's now ready to use.

Did You Make This Project?

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If you enjoyed this white chalkboard craft, I’d love for you to check out these other ideas:

Rosemary

Monday 30th of May 2016

This is a great idea, but could you do it on foam core?

Amy

Monday 30th of May 2016

Rosemary - I think you could! It would require a test, but I say yes.

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