Check out these super fun sidewalk chalk ideas to try with the kids. Don’t have any right now? No worries! I’ve included some DIY chalk recipes so you can make some at home.
Related: Summer Messy Play Ideas
I don’t know about you, but I have fond memories of creating sidewalk art when I was younger.
There’s just something about the sensory input you get when making transient sidewalk art, right?
Lucky for me, I’m a mama AND I’ve been in early childhood education since 2001. So I get to play with chalk even as an adult.
Sidewalk Chalk Ideas
There are SO MANY ways to use chalk with kids!
If you’re ever out of ideas, the following sidewalk chalk ideas are sure to inspire you.
Related: Catapult Painting Art Activity
Creative Ideas for Sidewalk Chalk
Simple Chalk and Water Play – Draw and write with chalk outside. Then give the kids squirt bottles or paintbrushes to “erase” what they want to.
Sidewalk Chalk and Water Painting Activity from Happy Hooligans – Let the children draw and experiment with the effect water has on the chalk.
Sidewalk Chalk Art Town from B-Inspired Mama – Create your very own town on the sidewalk. Don’t forget a road for toy cars to drive on!
Sidewalk Chalk Puddles from Lemon Lime Adventures – Don’t let melting snow or a little rain keep you away from your chalk art!
Shadow Sidewalk Chalk Art from Rhythms of Play – Explore a mix of art and science with this fun idea.
Chalk Self Portraits from Happy Hooligans – Help the kids trace and draw themselves with chalk.
Sidewalk Chalk Ideas that Foster Learning
ABC Sidewalk Chalk Game from Buggy and Buddy – Use chalk to create an alphabet grid game.
Sidewalk Chalk Sight Word Games from This Reading Mama – Encourage the kids to use their bikes to make words from chalk letters you write.
Pete the Cat Movement Game from The Educators’ Spin On It – Have the kids “sort” chalk-drawn buttons as they move and play.
Constellation Art with Rocks and Chalk from Creekside Learning – Little astronomers will definitely want you to add this to your list of sidewalk chalk ideas!
Chalk Board Game from Views from a Step Stool – Why not use your chalk to create a super fun family board game in the driveway?!
Sidewalk Chalk Anatomy Activity from True Aim Education – Use chalk to set up an invitation for learning about the body.
Simon Says from Toddler Approved – Play this fun color learning game based on the classic memory game “Simon.”
Nature Color Hunt from NurtureStore – Send the children on a color scavenger hunt based on what color chalk you have on-hand.
Driveway Shape Maze from Creative Family Fun – Challenge the kids to stick to their shapes as they work through the maze.
Now, the question is . . . which of these sidewalk chalk ideas are you going to try first?
DIY Chalk Recipes
Don’t worry if you don’t have any chalk right now. Make your own!
This is our go-to “recipe” for homemade chalk paint:
- Mix 1 cup of cornstarch with 1 cup of water. Adjust this ratio if you want a different consistency.
- Add washable tempera paint for color (you can also use food coloring or liquid watercolors). Mix well.
- Grab a paintbrush or use your fingers to create.
Consider adding the homemade chalk paint to a spray bottle for a different method of creating.
Or add the mix to squirt bottles (aka condiment bottles) for drawing.
You can even use this recipe to make frozen chalk! Carefully pour the mixture into old popsicle molds or ice cube trays. You can add craft sticks as handles if you want to.
Try using Jell-O or Kool-Aid powder to add color and scent (in place of the paint).
More DIY Chalk Possibilities
Even more DIY recipes to add to your sidewalk chalk ideas!
Heart-Shaped Sidewalk Chalk from Fun at Home with Kids – Make your own chalk with this sweet and simple recipe. It doesn’t have to be heart-shaped if you have a different shape in mind.
Recycled Chalk Paint from Rhythms of Play – Show the kids how to turn old, broken chalk pieces into chalk paint!
Puffy Sidewalk Paint from The Best Ideas for Kids – Use a few simple ingredients to make puffy paint for the sidewalk.
Fizzing Sidewalk Chalk Paint from Simple Play Ideas – Add some extra pizzazz to your chalk creations by making it fizzy!
Done for You Resources for Kids
Preschool Teacher 101 has a variety of activities for children. Bonus: they’re already done for you!
Click on the photos below for more information on some of these products. If you’re a preschool teacher, be sure to check out the membership options available (and grab a free lesson plan set while you’re there).
The post Sidewalk Chalk Ideas and DIY Chalk Recipes to Keep the Kids Creating appeared first on Fun-A-Day!.