DIY Magnetic Outdoor Chalkboard With so many Uses

I decided Aggie just needed to have an outdoor chalkboard this year. If there was one toy that I never seemed to get enough of as a child (actually I still can't get enough of them!) it was a chalkboard but they can get a bit messy indoors.  Since she loves playing with these magnetic letters, I knew it had to be magnetic as well.  This way she can make as much mess with chalk as she wants and misspell to her hearts delight without worry. Daughter Aggie looking over her shoulder in front of the magnetic outdoor chalkboard that has magnetic letters spelling Welcome to Aggies Backyard over a chalk drawn banner We hung her outdoor chalkboard this weekend and it's already a hit. Supplies for Outdoor Chalkboard metal sheet, wood for frame, paint roller and pan, measuring spoons, unsanded grout, paint and mixing container Plastic container holding outdoor paint, container of unsanded white grout with the top off and a stir stickOutdoor Chalkboard paint being mixed using a stir stick in paint with unsanded grout mixed in Outdoor Chalkboard Sign being painted onto the metal sheeting

How to make a Magnetic Outdoor Chalkboard

To build our outdoor chalkboard I used a 3-foot by 5-foot piece of galvanized steel, exterior flat paint, unsanded grout, 3 lengths of 2x1 wood boards, metal screws, 2 rope hooks (you can skip these if you aren't hanging on a chain link fence) and chalk. Finished Magnetic Outdoor Chalkboard trimmed in wood hanging on a wire fence Readymade chalkboard paint is not recommended for exterior use so I had to make my own.

How to make Outdoor Chalkboard Paint for Exterior Use

The recipe calls for
  • 2 tbsp of unsanded grout for every 1 cup of exterior paint in the color of your choice.
I mixed til my arm was sore but I was never able to get all the lumps out. It worked well enough even with a few small clumps in there but if I were to do this project again, I'd ask the paint desk to mix up the grout with the paint in the shaking machine.  I gave the metal 3 solid coats and let dry completely for several days. Left corner of outdoor chalkboard with hanging lights drawn out of chalk at the top and DIY Outdoor Magnetic Chalkboard spelled under them out of magnetic lettersAggie drawing on her new magnetic outdoor chalkboard Finally, I measured and cut the boards to serve as a decorative frame.  The boards were attached with a few metal screws from the back on each edge.  The rope cleats were added through the metal and the wood for easy hanging on the chain link fence. Not only will this be a fun play spot for my daughter but I think it will work well for grown-up uses as well for a barbecue menu or a photo backdrop. Aggie playing with magnet letters on her DIY Outdoor Magnetic Chalkboard | Brooklyn Limestone By no means perfect but I'm looking forward to enjoying it with Aggie all summer. I'm not sure how long this outdoor chalkboard will last in the harsh outdoor elements but I'll keep you posted. For other great outdoor ideas with kids check out this Outdoor Movie Night.

15 comments:

  1. I just made a magnetic chalkboard for my girls' room last week. It's perfect for playing school!

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  2. That is so cool!

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  3. Where did you get the galvanized steel sheet? I can't find any that size unless I call a sheet metal fabricator.

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    1. Yes I had to go to a sheet metal store. Once I found one, they were very willing to cut something to size right on the spot so it was a lot easier than I expected. This piece cost me $50. Not sure if that was a steal or a ripoff but I didn't haggle because I wasn't going to drive all around town looking for an alternative.

      If you don't need something quite so big, Lowes sells 2 feet by 4 feet pieces of sheet metal ready made.

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  4. Cute idea!! Let us know how it holds up outside.

    ps Aggie is adorable! :)

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  5. You are a rock star Mom. I love that it is outside. How cool! I would be drawing on it all the time.
    pve

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  6. That pretty little girl is so lucky to have such a creative mom! Love her wardrobe!

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  7. I am so distracted by that beautiful baby that I keep forgetting what the post is about!

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  8. I love this idea so much! It's perfect for outdoors and such a great idea to add magnetic paint to it.

    Also, her dress? I die.

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  9. Anonymous1:06 PM

    can i ask you what color paint you used? it looks like the perfect not-quite-green-but-not-quite-black shade! thanks!

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    1. The color is Shaded Fern by Glidden. It looked quite green going on but was the perfect color once it had dried. Hope that helps!

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  10. I'm sorry, but as cool as that magnetic chalkboard is, Aggie is about the most adorable and beautiful little girl on the planet!! Lots of happy times ahead for her to express her creative self.

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  11. I know this an old post but I wanted to know what you did for the back of the metal to keep it from rusting. Did you paint it too? And did you attach it to plywood? How has it held up?

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    1. I don't remember if I painted the back or not but its definitely a good idea to do so (do as i say, not as i do). I had meant to bring it in for the winter but just forgot it but much to my shock its still good as new! It would definitely be better NOT to leave it out in the elements for harsh winters but evidently its no worse for wear after one full year. Our backyard gets very strong sun and obviously NYC gets harsh winters so I think it had a good beating.

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    2. Anonymous5:35 AM

      This is great! Does the metal get hot in summer?

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