My idea for party favors started with a giant box of sidewalk chalk I got on clearance for $4. What kid doesn’t love drawing with chalk? And what goes best with chalk? Chalkboards, of course.
I searched many stores for small, cheap chalkboards. Maybe they are out there somewhere, but I couldn’t find any. No matter. I had lots of leftover chalkboard paint, so I just needed to find something to make chalkboards out of. My mom found some magnetic numbers at Dollar Tree that tied to the numbers theme, so I wanted the chalkboards to be magnetic as well.
I read a few tutorials about how to make small chalkboards using picture frames and sheet metal, but the whole thing just seemed like an ordeal, especially to make eight of them. So I hunted around the dollar store for something metal to turn into a chalkboard.
These 12″ steel pizza pans fit the bill perfectly. Although they were cheap, they are sturdy and have no sharp edges. And magnets stick to steel. Obviously.
On the advice of the can of chalkboard paint, I primed the surface first with regular primer.
Then I gave them three thin coats of chalkboard paint. After they were dry and “seasoned” (rubbed with chalk and erased), they were looking pretty great! They don’t look exclusively kiddish to me either. I think they could totally live in a kitchen or some other messagey place.
Out of the package, the number magnets were primary colors, but I spray painted them white because I have a slight aversion to primary colors when they are used together. And white suited my color scheme much better.
Once I had all of that done, my brain went to packaging. I got to thinking how nice it is when small toys have a container. And wondered how could I possibly give out small pieces to the kids without some form of containment for the moms. This led me to use some fabric and ribbon scraps to sew up some little drawstring bags.
To display them at the party, I scrounged this plastic crate in our basement that had divisions for file folders (I guess that’s what it’s for… it came with the house). It was bright blue, so I wrapped it with some polka dot wrapping paper from Target.
We also gave kids and adults a pair of soft pretzels from Gus’ Pretzels. I think everyone went home happy!
I LOVE this idea. I have a chalkboard paint project on the horizon and now I’m thinking magnetic is the way to go…
btw- our previous owners stenciled flowers in primary colors around the entire perimeter of the master bedroom. Every day I look up at them and just think WHY?!
Can’t wait to paint over them!
You definitely need to make it magnetic! They sell magnetic paint, but I have heard mixed reviews. My sister-in-law did it with success, but I think she did multiple coats.
Another idea I saw was to get a giant piece of sheet metal, mount it to the wall, paint it, then frame it out with some wood trim.
Good luck with painting your bedroom! The stenciling sounds pretty awful. Send pics.
I love this idea!!! My son is turning four and he wants a number themed party. I do have a few questions – what primer did you use? Did you sand the tin and numbers first? Did you tape the sides with painters tape to get the even edge? These look so great.
Thanks!
I used regular primer like you might use for walls. The brand I used here was Olympic, but I’m sure most brands would work fine. I didn’t sand anything. The number magnets I bought were sort of cardboard-ish on top and didn’t need any roughing up. I didn’t use painters tape on the pans, but you could if you want.
My daughter uses her chalkboard all the time, and I have to say it’s held up really well over the past year! Good luck!