One of my best friends is an amazing artist from Birmingham, Alabama named Robin Miller. When she showed me the Lunch Planner Chalkboard that she created I knew I just had to share it with you. Clearly Robin experiences the same issues making lunch for her three daughters that I face every day – opening up backpacks at the end of the school day to find the lunch I packed for my kids untouched. This handy, fun board will encourage kids to finish those lunches by allowing them to have a say in what you pack and heading off those cries of “I don’t like this” before they even begin. Engaging kids like this makes them feel empowered and also makes them more likely to eat what you prepared because they feel invested in the decision-making process.
Sure, we’re not all professional artists so I know that my efforts won’t be this awesome, but it’s still a neat idea that anyone can do.
No more excuses for an uneaten lunch!
What you need:
- A picture frame (with glass intact)
- Chalkboard paint in the color of your choice
- Paintbrush
- Chalk Ink Markers or a Paint pen
- Chalk
- Chalk brush
How to Make It:
- First of all, plan out what you want to do and map it out on a piece of paper the same size as the frame. Get as creative as you like.
- Remove the glass from the picture frame and paint one side with chalkboard paint. Allow to dry.
- Using the Chalk Ink Markers, draw your planner on the painted side of the glass. Don’t worry if you make a mistake – Chalk Ink washes off with water so you can just wipe it off and start again.
- When you’re happy with your results, hang your chalkboard in your kitchen in a spot that is accessible to your kids and visible to you when you’re making lunch. Put some chalk where they can reach it and keep a chalk brush handy to let you start anew each week.
- Remember – don’t use water to wipe off the chalk or you’ll wipe off your design too.
