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This year, our kids (ages 7, 5, 3 and 1) really wanted to make Christmas Countdowns.  We have done them in the past, but they were always the ones where you put the cotton balls on Santa’s beard- one for each day until it is full.    This year, we recycled one of our old picture frames (I have a stash of frames that we no longer use in our guest room closet and this was one of them.)

Materials:

  • Foam Brush (any paint brush will do, but I used a foam brush)
  • Scissors
  • Ribbon (optional – to hang it)
  • An old photo frame with plexiglass.  A black picture frame sitting on a table.

 

  • Chalkboard PaintA can of chalkboard paint on a table.

 

  • EZ Start Printed Packaging Tape – I love their products!  They have SO many different styles of tape, but these three are what I wanted for my projects this month.  I used two for these countdowns and one to dress up my Christmas Gift packages.    Oh- they are on Twitter, too, if you want to see their newest items:   @TheDuckBrand    
    If you saw my post on the
    best gift for a Creative Child … this would be something you could add.  
  • Three rolls of Easy Start tape on a table.

Here is how I went about making this. 

Step one: 

Remove the glass and get started.

Put the tape on the outside of the frame.  I overlapped the corners to be sure that it was on neatly and that I didn’t have to fold it over and have too many wrinkles in the tape.   I didn’t figure this out until I was onto my third side, so learn from my mistakes.  Cut the tape the length of the side instead of going over.   If you do go over (like I did in my pictures), just use your scissors to cut it and fold it neatly back over.

A black picture frame with colorful masking tape across the bottom of the frame with the roll of tape beside it.

A close up of a picture frame with the bottom covered in colorful masking tape.

 

 

Moving onto your plexiglass – paint this with the black chalkboard paint.  (I picked plexiglass because I was afraid that if it would fall when we were changing the number, it would break).  

I did three coats of chalkboard paint, letting each one dry.  I probably could have gotten away with two, but do what works for you.

The plexiglass portion of the frame partially painted black.

Let this dry and then place it back into your frame.

That’s it!

Use this as a chalkboard Christmas Countdown.

My guess is that Santa will even leave the kids a little note of his own on this when he drops off the gifts! 

Here is our finished product:

A completed DIY chalkboard Christmas Countdown hanging on the wall.

I wanted to add a bow to it and I also used ribon to hang it (after I decided to go with the bow) and I love it.   The kids do, too.  They get the chalk first thing in the morning and run over to change the number. 🙂 

A close up of a framed chalkboard countdown with text on it.
What did you think?  Have you used this tape to make something in your house?  Share a picture or a link! 

Create your own & share it with me on my Christmas Pinterest Board! 

 

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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18 Comments

  1. I think I love you right now! I don’t know how I didn’t think of this, but I’m so glad you did! Guess what else we’ll be adding under our tree! This little gem!!! My girls are going to love it, thank you!

    1. 🙂 aww – great! So glad you can do it at your house (it was super easy) 🙂

  2. Cute and easy project! We have a countdown board that we have used since my kids were preschool aged, they love it! I think its a great addition to any family’s holiday decor.

  3. I love this DIY project it was fun a while back when homeschool started, my kids & I made a chalk board & they love it

  4. I love this! I will be making one as a countdown for when my husband returns from deployment!

    1. Oh my goodness- that is such a wonderful idea!!! Check back soon b/c I have a disney countdown post coming up that would be PERFECT for that!

  5. I definitely want to try making one, and not even just for the holidays!

  6. This is great DIyY projects fro kids!!! My niece loves these kind of projects that keeps her busy during this time of the year..

    Thanks for sharing!!!

  7. What a gorgeous and creative idea!! And it would be perfect for a thoughtful Christmas present!

  8. I love that you used the tape! I’ve made chalkboards before but I’ve always painted them. This is so easy and fun!