Sidewalk Chalk
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During the summer months, it’s likely that you’ve encountered a series of drawings on pavement that are made using sidewalk chalk. Sidewalk chalk is a childhood arts and crafts staple that allows children to create unique pieces of art while spending time outdoors. Additionally, it’s a great way for artists to create temporary murals on walls, roads and other uneven or rugged surfaces. Learn more about sidewalk chalk below.
Is There a Difference Between Chalk and Sidewalk Chalk?
Though there’s not a fundamental difference between traditional chalk and sidewalk chalk, they are used for different things. Traditional chalk is used for writing and drawing on chalkboards and blackboards. It is easy to remove with a simple eraser and is designed to be easy to hold and very precise for writing and drawing. Sidewalk chalk, sometimes referred to as driveway chalk, on the other hand, is usually much larger and is intended for drawing on pavement, asphalt and other outdoor surfaces. It is most commonly removed using water, and is much thicker to write and draw well on rough surfaces. So, even though you could write on a chalkboard with sidewalk chalk or use traditional chalk on pavement, it wouldn’t be practical.
What Are the Different Types of Sidewalk Chalk?
There are three main types of sidewalk chalk: artist chalk, washable chalk and triangular chalk. Read about their main features below.
Artist Chalk
Artist chalk is usually a higher quality than regular sidewalk chalk and is intended for more artistic purposes such as temporary murals or outdoor art. It is more vibrant and long lasting than regular sidewalk chalk.
Washable Chalk
Washable sidewalk chalk is specifically designed to be quickly and easily washed away with water. While still vibrantly pigmented, washable chalk is less rich in color than other forms of sidewalk chalk.
Triangular Chalk
Some sidewalk chalk is specially shaped to be triangular, instead of circular, to prevent it from rolling away. It’s a perfect option when you’re trying to prevent kids from losing chalk while playing outside on uneven surfaces.
Is Sidewalk Chalk Easy to Remove?
Yes! Sidewalk chalk is easily removed with water and general foot traffic. Because of this, most sidewalk chalk does not last very long and will be removed by the elements in a few days. If you need it to be removed more quickly than that, look for washable chalk that is specially designed to be quickly washed away with water.