Sunday, July 20, 2014

Outdoor Slate Chalkboard


After seeing some play spaces involving chalkboards I wanted to add one of our own to the backyard.  The chalkboards I had been admiring on Pinterest were mostly DIY and since I'm no good when it comes to creating things involving wood and tools I instantly went to my husband!  We talked about what materials we would need, where it would go and I was getting excited that our chalkboard was becoming more of a reality!  Only a few days later my husband calls me from work and asks me if I remember what one of his companies buildings use to be?  I thought it was a strange question but I answered his question as I recalled that one of his companies buildings use to be a schoolhouse.  My husband remembering our chalkboard discussion took it upon himself to ask the facilities manager if they by chance had any old chalkboards lying around from when it was a school.  Low and behold they did!!  I was super excited that we would be acquiring an authentic old schoolhouse slate chalkboard!

Once my husband and a co-worker transported this massive chalkboard to our home my husband quickly got to work.  He cut some wood pieces for the frame, nailed everything in place and voila, our chalkboard had found its new home!


We hung a small bucket (yard sale find!) threw in some chalk and the kids were ready to go!


My daughter is learning to write her name so we have been practicing that alot on our chalkboard.  


The kids enjoyed a few rounds of Pictionary too! 

We have an easel in our basement that has a chalkboard on one side and we have used water to 'paint' the board.  Since it's in our basement I've always had to be extra careful with the water.  Now that we have a huge chalkboard and it's outside my kids can use as much water as they want!  I grabbed a bowl, a paintbrush and some rags and I let the kids go wild!  My daughter said she was making a maze and my son was having fun simply 'washing' the board!


So far I have been really pleased with how well the chalkboard is working out!  It's one of the first things my kids go to now!  I especially love that the chalkboard easily allows the children to express their creative and artistic sides!






21 comments:

  1. This looks great my girls would love something like this in the garden :)

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    1. I hear ya Caroline! I am thrilled we finally have one!

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    2. Caroline - I am checking to see if my comments are coming through...can you tell me if you received my comment back and if it went to your e-mail or how you were notified? Thanks so much!

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  3. Fabulous find - I love that you put it in the yard!

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  4. Thanks for linking up! This is so fun and I've wanted to do something like this for a long time too! I've been trying to figure out how something like this would hold up since it does rain a decent amount where we live. How long have you had yours up?
    -S.L. Payne, uncommongrace.net

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    1. Hi S.L. Payne, Please let me know if you receive this reply. Sometimes I wonder if my comments are going through..?? Anywho...we haven't had it up long only a couple of weeks. Being that it's slate I'm hoping it will hold up fine. My husband thinks he will take it down for winter just to be on the safe side. I have read posts about the DIY chalkboards with plywood and chalkboard paint and some haven't held up well. Pinterest is a good source of info to learn more about the DIY chalkboards!

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  5. What a fun idea! Thanks for linking up with the Thoughtful Spot!

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  6. This is so awesome! I love the bucket of chalk (and the fact that they can wash it down so easily)!

    Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

    Wishing you a lovely weekend.
    xoxo

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  7. Love the idea of an outdoor chalkboard - now where will I find one and where can I put it!

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    1. Abi, their are some great DIY chalkboards. You'll find tons of ideas on Pinterest. I got lucky with getting a slate one!!

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  8. This is awesome! I love pictionary :)
    Thanks for sharing at #Pintorials

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  9. That is amazing. I will have to keep my eyes open for one. Lucky you. #Pintorials

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  10. I love this! My girl loves painting with water. Thanks for sharing at the Love to Learn Linky.

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    1. Anne, we love painting with water too, especially me, no mess!!

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  11. That's an enormous and wonderful piece of slate, love it! The Boy would love to explore making patterns on that.

    Nipping over from #OutdoorPlayParty

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    1. It is big and it's great for both kids to create on. I love that this was from an old school house! Little piece of history in our backyard!

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  12. I love this! I so want one now, Little Man would think it was brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing :-)

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