Playroom Chalkboard Menu

This little kitchen was built for me by my dad when I was little and it brings me so much joy to see my girls continue to play with it!
You can read more about the kids’ kitchen set makeover, but here we’ll show you how to make a playroom chalkboard menu!

Once I painted the kitchen set a bright red, I was ready to add just the right accessories to draw the kids back in for more imaginary play! If there’s one thing kids love, it’s pretending to be grown up. I gave them a fancy chalkboard where they can write up their restaurant specials of the day, along with some little order cards, and they are well on their way to feeding us every meal of the day! Today, I’m going to show you how fun it can be to make a playroom chalkboard of your own. Let’s get started.

SUPPLIES:

• framed chalkboard
• paint – you can use acrylic craft paint or latex paint – something glossy probably works best
• white chalk paint
• stencil brush
• stencils
• die-cutting machine and vinyl (optional)
• mini chalk for detail design
• waxed paper or painter’s tape

Step 1:  Remove packaging from your chalkboard.  Choose a size that fits your space well.  These framed chalkboards are inexpensive and come in a good selection of sizes.  ALSO, they are magnetized!  Tape off the chalkboard area so that you can paint the frame to coordinate with your playroom.  Alternately, use waxed paper and slip it into the corners between the chalkboard and frame.  I like to use waxed paper because it’s a fast and effective barrier; when I use tape, I usually end up with some bleeding that I have to go back and touch up.

Step 2:  Paint the frame.  I used the same glossy latex paint that was used to paint the kitchen.  If you are simply painting the chalkboard frame, you might choose an acrylic craft paint for ease.  I would choose a glossy paint and be sure to give the chalkboard frame at least two coats.  Remove the waxed paper or painter’s tape and allow the frame to dry well.

Step 3:  Now it’s time to add the chalk details!  If you love free-hand chalk detailing, have at it!  Maybe your children want to create their own masterpiece.  I wanted to add a more permanent outline to the chalkboard menu that my girls could then add to.  I used white chalk paint to stencil “Menu” and some menu sections on the chalkboard.  Because there wasn’t a stencil available at the store for this type of text, I created stencils using vinyl and my Cricut die-cut machine.  You can read more about how I use vinyl to create stencils here.

Step 4:  Once you have placed your stencil where you want it on the chalkboard, use a stencil paintbrush to tap on your paint.

Step 5:  Peel off your stencil while the paint is still wet and there you have your first design!  Allow it to dry – this will only take a few minutes!  Continue in the same manner for your other vinyl stencils – I added “Appetizers” and “Soups”, etc.

Step 6:  You can also use store-bought stencils to add to your design.  These are so simple to use – simply hold the stencil in place where you’d like the design and tap on the paint.  Rinse and pat the stencil dry between design additions.  I used the diamond border across the top of my chalkboard and added some of the damask-like images for some detail on the bottom.  I even added an elephant for fun!

Step 7:  This skinny chalk looked like fun for adding fine detail, although I got so carried away with stencils that I had to leave room for the kids to add their menu options!

I loved how the chalkboard was also magnetized and knew my girls would enjoy taking orders on some little notecards and pinning them up on their menu board with magnets.  You can download and print sets of these notecards today if you’d like!

Now, hang up that chalkboard and sit back while the kids entertain themselves for hours!  But be prepared to dine at their restaurant OFTEN!