I love chalkboards–which is strange since I hated having to clean erasers when I was in elementary and middle schools. Way back in the time before dry erase markers we had good old fashioned chalkboards. This year I decided to make upcycled first day of school chalkboard signs from two old pizza pans I found at my Dad’s house. Seriously, I am pretty sure these pizza pans were the ones my mom used when I was a kid.

I cleaned them as best as I could but it was time for them to be retired. They have a new role as our back to school chalkboards now! 

How to Make These Easy First Day of School Upcycled Chalkboard Signs

Materials:

2 old pizza pans (They don’t have to be old.)

Chalkboard Spray Paint

Old Fashioned Chalk

Chalk markers* optional

Directions: 

First, clean your pizza pans as best as you can. You may want to lightly sand it. (I didn’t because I like quick crafts lol.)

Next, I evenly sprayed a coat of the chalkboard paint over the entire pizza pan. I sprayed two coats, allowing a drying time of  45 minutes between them. 

Then let cure overnight.

After the curing time, I conditioned both pans by lightly chalking over the surface with the sides of a piece of chalk.

I wiped them down and added each child’s grade and what they want to be when they grow up.  They turned out great and now there are two less baking sheets under my Dad’s stove.

(I confess. The finished “look” of a chalkboard is way more fun than cleaning chalk off of one!)

We had a lot of fun taking pictures before leaving for school this morning.  I made sure we were ready an extra thirty minutes early so we would have time to take photos and still make it early enough to get a parking space.  Things mostly went according to plan. School mornings are tough.

Both kids were super excited about going back to school.  They made faces and laughed during the photoshoot.

The only hitch came up when Pork Chop said, “Look, Mommy! Someone put chocolate on the truck.”

Chocolate?  NO–-Do not touch…Don’t put it in your mouth.

“Why,” he asked with his finger almost at his lips.

Because that’s not chocolate, it’s bird poop and even if it was chocolate, we don’t eat chocolate off of my truck–or anything else.

Oh.

So then all my leaving early plans were shot because Pork Chop had to go wash his hands.

It’s okay though.  We’re looking forward to a great year!

Yield: Two Chalkboard Signs

DIY 1st Day of School Chalkboard Signs

Print

Super easy first day of school chalkboard signs you can make in minutes!

Active Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 10 hours

Total Time 10 hours 5 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $5

Materials

• Chalkboard Spray Paint
• Two Old Pizza Pans
• Chalk

Tools

• Old rag or chalkboard eraser

Instructions

1. Clean pizza pans as best as you can.
2. Evenly coat each pan with Rustoleum Chalkboard Paint.
3. Allow to dry for at least 45 minutes and add another coat.
4. Let paint cure overnight.
5. Rub entire surface with a piece of chalk.
6. Wipe clean with eraser or an old rag.
7. Use chalk or chalk markers to write 1st day of school message.

What are your favorite back to school traditions?

For more Back to School fun: 

Back to School Bento Box Bear

DIY Back to School Pencil Cup Craft

Why I am seriously considering putting my kids in virtual school

25+ Fun First Day of School Traditions