I thought this would be an easy thing to find... I just want a chalkboard (not dry erase) to put on my fridge for my kids to use with regular chalk. I just figured I could easily search on Amazon or Google to find one. But all I can find are huge wood framed ones that are mounted with hardware on the wall, easel based ones (which I don't have the space for) or ones that use special chalk that the reviews describe as hard to remove. I'd rather not make my own (I know they have chalkboard paint you can use) and I want to be able to use regular chalk on it. Does anyone have this at their homes? I did see something at Lakeshore Learning that may have potential...just a simple chalkboard with no magnetic backing but it seems light enough that maybe I could buy the magnets separately. But, I would prefer just to find one ready to go. Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions? thanks so much!
Is this what you are looking for?
http://m.pinterest.com/pin/287526757430167493/
Updated
Or there is also this http://pinterest.com/pin/91831279872033764/
I love them both, thinking of doing this to my fridge.
Just buy a chalkboard the size you want, go to the craft store, and buy magnets that come as a thin sheet -- you cut the size to fit and they have one adhesive side you stick to the chalkboard. Easy. The magnet sheets tend to be small so get several so you can be sure to have enough magnet on the back of the board. Any good craft store should carry not only "button" magnets that are round but also sheets of magnetic material with one adhesive side.
This is easier than hot-glueing button magnets to a frame, and safer for the kids because it means there are no button magnets around -- if small kids swallow magnets it's very dangerous. They can't swallow a sheet of magnet.
If you can't find one, blue magnetic pieces to the back. You can find them
at Wal-mart in the carft section or craft stores.
You can also make your own by spraying chalk pain onto wood then
applying the magnets on back.
You need magnetic contact paper. Just peel the backing and stick to make a chalkboard anywhere. I'm sure you can get it on Amazon and maybe Target, and craft stores too.
I wonder if Ikea has something that might work? Also, Lakeshore Learning has a catalogue, maybe there is something in the catalogue that isn't in the store. At the very least, perhaps Lakeshore could point you in the right direction.
Also check Michaels craft store if you decide to go with the one you found at Lakeshore. Michaels probable has the kind of magnets you want, but I'd call first.
Good luck.
I've heard That Con-Tact makes an adhesive-backed chalkboard product. Maybe that would work?
Use chalkboard surfaces that stick to your refrigerator, not chalkboard paint, to make your own.
You can buy the surfaces here, you get four 9"x12" strips, use them to configure the size chalkboard you want -
http://www.amazon.com/Wallies-Stick-Chalkboard-Sheet-Slat...
How about a family room or playroom. I would not want my kids underfoot
Using a chalkboard while I am cooking. Too dangerous.
You can buy any size chalkboard at Staples or a craft shop. I am sure you can hang it somewhere without too much difficulty.
Finding one exactly like you want may be difficult. I know they sell them, I used one in my classroom (stuck it to the dry erase board), but I did have to buy special chalk that was softer.
Have you checked to see if a local sign shop could make something like that? They make the magnetic car signs, I wonder if they couldn't turn one into a chalk board. Might be worth asking about.
Blick Art Materials sells rolls of flexible magnetic sheeting. If you are willing to add the chalk board paint, you could probably make your own board that fits exactly like you want.
There are also chalkboard stickers and decals available. I wonder if you couldn't use that. If you don't want to stick that to the fridge, maybe stick it to posterboard, cut around it and add some magnets.
The Lakeshore board will probably work. A little hot glue and some magnets and you'll be set. Good luck!
Could use the chalkboard paint n paint a spot on the fridge. I think I've seen small boards at Wal-Mart where the office/organizational things are.
It may the reason you cannot find a small one for the refridgerator is that they aren't light enough to magnetize securely.
A true chalkboard will shatter into pieces if it fell off a refridgerator door. You might be better off buying a nice one & mounting it low on a wall, or maybe on a pantry door where it can be secured.
I think that's the reason everything with magnets is actually dry-erase, because they are much lighter & not as likely to fall off.
That said, you might want to check @ a local craft store (a TRUE craft store, not some big box that only hires people who know how to operate a cash register!) & ask for their advice on how to make something that would be secure enough on your refridgerator but also have a chalkboard element.
I'm also picturing maybe you could buy huge fat pieces of oversized chalk & have a hole drilled (carefully!) in one end so they could be secured with a string for your kids... don't want them falling to the floor & rolling under the refridgerator!!
Good luck, what a fun project to embrace for your kiddos!
T.
