As the weather outside is finally improving here in NY I thought I would do a series of posts on some fun, inexpensive things for the kids to do outside. For this first one I am going to focus on chalk.  Sidewalk chalk is a great fair weather fun activity.

The question is, what do you do with the chalk when the kids are “bored” of just drawing and imagining on their own? I have collected 5 Fair Weather Fun Chalk Ideas for you to try!

Fair Weather Fun ~ Sidewalk Chalk Ideas

1. Hopscotch

You can play the traditional version with just 10 squares, or for more of a challenge and workout make the board with 20 squares!

2. Long Jump

Have each player take a turn jumping as far as they can from a given spot. Use different colored chalks to mark their distances. If playing alone, the child can shoot for their own personal best distance.

3. Hit the Circle

Draw a bunch of circles in the ground. From a given start spot have players take turns trying to get a ball (tennis ball, small bouncy ball, little basketball, etc) onto each one of the circles. Have one person stand at the end and catch the ball to toss it back, or play in front of a wall so it will just bounce back! See how many each player can hit in one turn!

4. Chalk Agility

Draw a winding path for kids to follow. Along the way draw in things for the kids to act out. Examples: jump rope 10 times, walk the balance beam for 5 steps, climb the ladder, etc. Players must act out each task while standing on it’s drawing.

For smaller children (my 4 year old loves this), write out letters and or numbers in a row. Have the child copy them either the same, or for letters they could do the upper or lower case counterpart. Or write a series leaving some out for them to fill in. For a little bit older children make patterns out of letters or numbers for them to decipher and complete.

5. Mixing colors & Making Imprints

Use the chalk to trying mixing new colors. Have the children pick a spot and color very hard and think with one color of chalk. Next to it they should choose a second color and do the same thing. Then have them add a little bit of water and mix with their hands. Not only to you get fun colors, but then you can make hand prints along the way. (This also works well with feet, or both)

More Fair Weather Fun