I have seen & heard about chalkboard paint for a while now. I have seen it used on everything from full walls to refrigerators, coffee tables & baking sheets. Some of the projects I have seen have blown me away. One woman had a chalkboard accent wall behind her bed. She designed her own chalk headboard and chalk wall hangings. Amazing!
I have always wanted to try it because let’s face it, the stuff is pretty cool. I am not quite as ambitious as some of the great ideas that I have come across. I merely wanted a fun little area for my daughter to doodle on.
Mai has a fenced in play area in our living room with foam matting & a kitchen & toy boxes. I wanted to make her a small area on the floor to draw on kind of like a sidewalk.
I have seen the paint used on wood, metal & glass & heard that you could use cardboard as long as it is sturdy.
I opted to try it on cardboard since this was my first attempt & I have plenty of it readily available.
I used the chalkboard spray paint. I found the spray paint to be rather messing. I followed the instructions but the can leaked a lot, so make sure to use gloves. I think the next time I will try the roll on.
I found a sturdy piece of cardboard. Make sure if choosing cardboard to use on that is rigid & that will not crack or indent if you put pressure on it. Peel of any tapes or stickers until the cardboard is smooth and clean.
The fumes are strong, so I brought my project outside to use. I placed a second piece of cardboard underneath to collect overspray.
The can recommends using two coats. I covered 4-5 times until I finished the can.
I removed one of the foam mats in Mai’s play area & placed the finished project in its place tucking it under the surrounding foam squares.
I show Mai her new chalkboard & she asks mommy to draw a train.
My little girl dives right in to her new bucket of chalk
& shows off her artistic skills.
Mai loved this & so did mommy. The paint works just as well as everyone says that it does. I can’t wait to find something else to paint.
Related Topics:
http://thedottedbow.wordpress.com/2014/02/01/life-is-beautiful-chalkboard-sign/
http://accordingtoleanne.com/2014/01/28/more-chalkboard-signs/
The Pinterested Parent 
My girls used to have this foam matting also and wish I would have thought of this when they did. Very cute idea and looked like a ton of fun for both you and Mai 🙂
Thank you. She does like it. Thank goodness. It was fun to do. I want to spray something else now.
That is just so easy and billiant. And the best part is you can throw it out and easily make a new one.
I know. The cardboard was simple. Like I said, I had it on hand. It was a great test piece before I went to a different surface.
I had never heard of chalkboard paint until a friend told me about it. They did a cabinet in their kitchen with it and it became a noteboard.
I would like to try a different surface such as that soon too.
Awesome idea. I have wanted to pick up the foam flooring for my 16 mo old twins to play on. I think I’ll have to do this with a square or two now.
I didn’t actually spray the foam flooring. I spray a piece of cardboard & replaced a foam square.
I’m dying to try this too! I just have to find the right spot… oh, and the time.. lol 😉 Good to know that your little one loved it!
I will do it again. That stuff is great.
Good to know! 🙂
Great idea! Thanks for linking up with Tuesday Tutorials 🙂
Thanks Kate for hosting.
My kids are older now so we don’t have these mats..however, what a great idea I have never seen chalkboard floor mats…I have been wanting to do a chalkboard wall for our daughter’s room and am just not sure if I am ready to take that challenge on yet LOL 🙂
Great idea!! We used the paint on our boys closet doors, it’s such a hit! For the “roll on” definitely use a brush- first coat will barely cover, and a heavy second coat will do the trick! 🙂
The closet door is a great idea. I would like to try a larger area like that as well.
I didn’t paint the mats themselves. I did a large piece of cardboard & put it in the place of the matting. I would like to try a wall as well in our hallway. She has art work & felt boards hanging there, so she plays thee often. Let me know how it goes if you try it.
Hello!! Thanks so much for linking up with us at the MaMade Blog Hop! I love this idea, my little guy Eli would love it!! He loves drawing on his chalk board easel, so I’m sure he would love this too! Don’t forget to stop back and link up again next week and see if you were featured! 🙂 Have a great week
Hi ! I love this idea! I ‘m addicted to chalk board paint and I use the spray kind all the time . I’ve never had issues with it nor has it leaked for me. Great project coming over from the MaMade Blog Hop.
Thanks Kim. I want to spray my whole house in it. It is very cool. Thanks for hopping over.
This is brilliant! I have had our foam mat up in the closest for a couple months now. Think I am going to have to give this a try!
Thanks. I did not spray the matting though. I am not sure if it would work on there or not. It is a piece of cardboard that I sprayed and then replaced out one of the foam tiles. It has been a fun addition to the play area.