how to be a cool mom (by making your kids a wall chalkboard).

A few weeks ago, I found out that Max adores writing on a chalkboard. This tool is used a lot in his ABA therapy. It was suggested that we get an easel for him to use at home. I'm all for providing Max with the tools he needs, but really? We have no room for yet another toy, easel or not. So what to do? 

Solution? 
Turn one of our walls into a magnetic chalkboard.

What? You didn't know you could do this? 
Yeah, me neither.  Here's how you do it.

Steps 1 & 2:

Note: I recommend selecting a contained space because then you can explain that it's only okay to use chalk on this area alone - not the entire house.

Step 3:

Steps 4, 5, and 6:

Note: I bought 2 cans of paint at Home Depot - one was a magnetic primer, the other was a chalkboard paint.  Since the area was so small, I applied it with a brush instead of a roller.

Step 7 (8 coats later!) :

Note: It's really, really hard to wait for 3 days before you can test it out, but after putting so much time into it, you really don't want to screw it up, so try to be patient!

Step 8:

Step 9:

Step 10:

Note: I added the border (bought at any decent office supply store) to help provide a visual separation between the chalkboard and the wall).  We'll see if this helps Max and Cameron keep their chalk where it's supposed to be!

Step 11:

Note: I got the kids dustless chalk.  It's a Crayola product.  I have only found white dustless chalk so far, but there is multi-coloured dustless chalk out there somewhere - I just have to track it down!