Wooden building blocks are at the tippity top of my favorite children’s toys list. They are easy to find (or make!) and provide hours upon hours of creative play. I’ve been a bit obsessed with chalkboard paint as of late and wanted to experiment with some handmade blocks, and this little cityscape is the result. I’m happy to report that my toddlers are in wooden block heaven. These blocks are now the backdrop for Ollie’s cars and Audrey’s Little People collection.

To make some chalkboard blocks of your own you’ll need to gather a few supplies:

one length of 2X4 lumber
chalkboard paint
foam roller
paint tray
sandpaper

I purchased my piece of lumber at Lowe’s for less than three dollars. My husband has a shop full of saws and tools so I had him cut the wood into different sizes. If you don’t have access to a saw of your own, Lowe’s will make the cuts for you free of charge. The great thing about this project is that there really is no rhyme or reason. You can make the blocks as tall, short, or narrow as you’d like.

When the blocks are cut, some light sanding may be necessary to smooth out any rough spots. Then, simple apply your chalkboard paint using the foam roller. Painting the blocks took a total of 5 minutes. I let them dry overnight before use.



Once the chalkboard paint has dried overnight, have fun creating your little city!