Total Time afternoon or evening Ages all-ages
Your child can mark spring's arrival with this colorful egg-shaped chalk.

What you'll need

• Plastic eggs
• Petroleum jelly
• Plastic spoon
• Plaster of Paris
• Powdered tempera paint

How to make it

1. To make a piece, first separate the halves of a plastic egg. Liberally coat the insides with petroleum jelly, adding extra near the seam, and then set both halves upright in an empty egg carton.
2. In a disposable cup, use a plastic spoon to mix together 1/4 cup of plaster of Paris, 2 tablespoons of cold water, and about 2 tablespoons of powdered tempera paint. Spoon the plaster into the egg halves, filling them both almost to the top, and let it set for a few minutes until it reaches a mudlike consistency. Then snap the plastic egg back together and briskly shake it to combine the mixture.
3. Repeat for each color of chalk, disposing of the cups and spoons in the trash. Let the chalk eggs set overnight before removing them from the molds, wedging the tip of a table knife between the chalk and the plastic (a parent's job) to help loosen it, if needed.