# Chalk Blocks with Liquid Chalk Markers > Paint small wooden blocks with chalkboard paint, then decorate them with bright liquid chalk markers and plain white chalk. Use them for patterns, designs and cheery positive words, and stack them into a display. - URL: https://www.funlittles.com/art-projects-for-kids-chalk-blocks-with-liquid-chalk-markers/ - Ages: 4+ · Difficulty: medium · Mess: medium - Time: prep 10 min, activity 45 min - Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class - Skills: fine-motor, patterns, color-theory, creativity, writing, spatial-reasoning ## Materials (one batch) - Small unfinished wooden craft cubes - Black chalkboard paint - Paint brushes - 1 set Liquid chalk markers - 1 set Neon and metallic liquid chalk markers (optional) - White chalk - 1 piece Paper or table cover (optional) (household) ## Substitutions - Instead of wooden cubes: Wooden loose parts kit (cubes, spools, discs and more) (Ours came from a giant box of wooden loose parts. The author linked a kit like this: ASIN B0731M57FW.) - Instead of wooden cubes: Milk cartons painted with chalkboard paint (We did this a few years ago. The kids turned them into glowing haunted houses with chalk markers.) ## Safety - Chalkboard paint is not taste-safe. Follow the label, paint in a well-ventilated area, and supervise kids while they paint. - Let the paint dry completely before kids handle and decorate the blocks. - Small wooden cubes can be a choking hazard for children under 3. Supervise young children. - Cover the table and dress kids in old clothes. Wash hands after painting and coloring. ## Before you start - For younger kids or a whole class, paint the blocks with chalkboard paint and let them dry completely before the coloring session. Follow the drying time on the paint label. ## Steps 1. Pick a few unfinished wooden blocks that are about the same size. 2. Paint a few sides of each block with chalkboard paint. Give them a good couple of coats. 3. Let the painted sides dry. 4. Hold each block by a dry side and paint the rest of the sides. Let the blocks dry completely. 5. Color the black blocks with liquid chalk markers. Press the tip and watch the liquid chalk ooze out. 6. Make patterns and pick colors that complement, contrast or clash. 7. Switch to white chalk and draw black and white designs and simple patterns. 8. Write positive, cheery words on some of the blocks. 9. Stack and arrange the blocks until you're happy with them, then display them. ## Tips - The vibrant liquid chalk markers really pop on the jet black chalkboard paint. - My 9-year-old spent a lot of time arranging the blocks, changing the setup until she was satisfied. The stacking is part of the art. - The black and white blocks were just as appealing as the bright ones: simple, calm and dare I say sophisticated. - We have our cheery chalk blocks displayed in the living room for a big dose of positivity. - The coloring stage is very versatile. Let the age and temperament of the children decide where it goes. ## The original post by TurkeyMom (2020) Using bright, vibrant liquid chalk markers on freshly painted chalkboard paint is a wonderful arty sensory experience. We did this a few years ago on **milk cartons that were painted with chalkboard paint**. The kids turned them into glowing haunted houses with chalk markers. Today we are sharing this fun art project for kids using liquid chalk and regular chalk that was fun and relaxing. We all need a big dose of positivity during these times. Materials - **[Liquid Chalk Markers](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KWFF8ZK/?tag=blmemo-20)** - If you prefer **[neon and metallic colors](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D9T52OW/?tag=blmemo-20)** - **[Chalkboard Paint](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I99S3BC/?tag=blmemo-20)** - **[Small Wooden Craft Cubes](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XN9P5ZU/?tag=blmemo-20)** - **[Paint Brushes](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BM21NV/?tag=blmemo-20)** - **[White Chalk](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CEH7W9E/?tag=blmemo-20)** On to the art project.. We used plain wooden blocks that we purchased a while ago from a wooden toys manufacturer online. It was basically a giant box of wooden loose parts that had peg dolls, cubes, spools, discs, buttons, wooden eggs and so much more. This was maybe 4-5 years ago and now I see many toy manufacturers put together a kit with **[wooden loose parts](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0731M57FW/?tag=blmemo-20) like these** From our loose parts box we picked a few unfinished blocks that were sort of same size. Most of the blocks were pretty smooth and were easy to paint. Got out the chalkboard paint and gave them all a good couple of coats of paint. we painted a few sides, let them dry. Now we held the blocks with the dry side and finished the rest of the sides. Once the wooden blocks are painted all black with the chalkboard paint, they are ready to be colored. Our first choice of art supply were our favorite chalk markers that are gorgeously vibrant and perfect for the jet black background of the wooden blocks. This stage of this art project is so versatile. Depending on the age and temperament of the children this kids activity can go in so many different directions. I can see pattern making and pattern matching activity. For preschoolers lot of playful **number matching** or [**alphabet recognition activity**](https://www.funlittles.com/alphabet-activities-for-kid-bubble-wrap-letter-matching/) can be made with these blocks ( [**More alphabet activities here**](https://www.funlittles.com/alphabet-games-for-kids-memory-match/)) For us this was clearly an art project that used a lot of chalk markers!! haha. My child ( 9 y.o) had a great time making different patterns using an array of colors. It was very exciting for her to press and watch the liquid chalk ooze out of the tip. It was interesting to stack them up and arrange them a certain way. I found it exciting to watch her engage in this art project in a different way than she used to a couple of years ago. With this chalk blocks art project, she spent so much time setting up the blocks in a specific way - altering the arrangement until she was satisfied. Our resident artist paid attention to the colors and designs- whether they complement, contrast or clash. These kids do grow up right in front of your eyes! She chose green and orange liquid chalk for one block, green and pink for another, yellow and purple. The choices were very intentional and these small things really jolt me into the reality that my little Baby A ( that is how I referred to her in my first few posts) is now a young girl who clearly takes art very seriously. After a bright, vibrant color art blocks we switched to a black and white theme that was just as appealing to our senses as the bright and cheery ones. Something so simplistically, calm and dare I say sophisticated with just black and white art. She drew designs and simple patterns. This next step was something I needed that day. She wrote a lot of beautiful, positive and cheery words on all of the blocks to. We have these cheery and happy looking chalk bocks displayed in our living room for a big dose of positivity that we all need during these critical times. Oh by the way - this is NOT a sponsored post in case you are wondering. We love chalk markers! Thanks for reading. Pin so you don't forget. Click on this image to go through all our art projects we have done over the years. You will find something that fit your family!