- Age Guideline: 8 Years and Up
- Time Required: 60 minutes (Does not include drying time)
The above age and time guidelines are estimates. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your circumstances.
Materials Needed:
- Old TV Tray
- Spray Paint Primer (compare prices)
- Chalkboard Spray Paint (compare prices)
- Spray Paint (Whatever color you want, I used lime green)
- Small Piece of Felt (to use as an eraser)
- Chalk (compare prices)
- Newspaper (Use to cover your work surface and sections of the coffee can)
- Masking Tape
Instructions:
First, you need to wash your TV tray. Make sure it is completely dry. Cover anything the spray paint might come in contact with with newspaper. Make sure you work in a well ventilated area. I actually painted mine outside so I didn't have to worry about covering a work surface or about ventilation.Use thin layers of the primer to cover the entire top of the TV tray. Wait until one layer is dry to the touch before you add another. When you are done with the primer, let it set to completely dry. Read the paint can and see what it suggests.
Once the primer is dry, you are ready to paint the tray using whatever color paint you chose. Use several thin coats. Don't worry about taping off any sections yet. Just paint around the edges. You will make the straight edges when you start using the chalkboard paint. Let the paint dry for at least 24 hours before you move on.
Use masking tape to cover the edges of the TV tray that you do not want chalkboard paint to get on. Now you can start painting on the chalkboard paint. Spray it on in several thin layers so the paint does not bubble or run. Let each layer dry before you apply the next. Remove the tape once the paint is dry.
Read the instruction on the paint can to condition the chalkboard before you write on it. Your TV tray is now ready to use.