Glow Chalk

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This glow-in-the-dark chalk is fun to play with, whether day or night. Although it looks like regular chalk when the sun is shining, it begins to glow as soon as darkness falls. Use it to make a starry scene in your driveway, or try marking trees and rocks to create a trail you can see in the dark.

INGREDIENTS

• Petroleum jelly or cooking spray

• 3 tablespoons washable glow-in-the-dark paint

• 1/3 cup water

• 1/2 cup plaster of paris*

• 1 tablespoon glitter (optional)

• 1 tablespoon washable colored paint (optional)

*It’s important to handle plaster of paris carefully and with adult supervision. Avoid getting it in your eyes or inhaling it. Wear eye protection, gloves, and a mask if necessary. Be sure to read the label before using. It should never be poured down the sink.

SUPPLIES

• Ice cube tray or mold

• Paper towel

• Disposable bowl

• Disposable spoon or craft stick for stirring

DIRECTIONS

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1. Use the paper towel to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the mold, or spray the mold with cooking spray. Be sure to thoroughly cover the inside of each mold so the chalk doesn’t stick.

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2. Pour the glow-in-the-dark paint into the disposable bowl. Add water and stir until blended.

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3. Add the plaster of paris and stir. You can also add glitter or color at this time if you choose. If you don’t add color, the chalk will look white in the daylight.

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4. Carefully spoon the chalk mixture into the molds. Tap the mold gently on a hard surface to settle the mixture and release any air bubbles.

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5. Allow the chalk to set for several hours. When it feels hard, remove from the mold and place the chalk in a sunny spot for several more hours.

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6. Use your glow-in-the-dark chalk just as you would use regular sidewalk chalk. Wait for the sun to set, and enjoy the glow from your creations. A UV black light flashlight or lantern will enhance the glow from your chalk and can be purchased at your local hardware store.

HOW IT WORKS

A process called photoluminescence is what gives glow-in-the-dark paint its glow. Though it does not actually contain light, it has a pigment called phosphor that soaks up tiny particles of light, or photons, when it’s exposed to the sun. After it’s energized, you can see the photons in the dark because they emit a phosphorescent glow.

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