Green Treehouse

One of my favorite summer activities is watching my little ones draw on concrete with sidewalk chalk. It melts my heart to see a colorful, elementary stick person figure–you know, the kind with arms coming out of the head–drawn on the ground for the world to see.

It’s not just my own children’s sidewalk art that makes me smile. Today, for instance, I walked along a concrete path through a playground which was plastered with rainbow chalk art. There’s something magical in seeing the artwork, knowing the effort that was put into it, and enjoying it–however briefly–before it disappears forever along with the next rain.

If you’re looking for an outdoor activity that will entertain little children for hours, don’t underestimate the value of sidewalk chalk. And, don’t forget, you can do more with chalk than simply draw images. Your imagination is the limit when it comes to what you can make with sidewalk chalk. Here are five ideas to get you and your children started:

1. Draw a hopscotch game and play with your children.
2. Draw a play town, including roads, bridges, and buildings. Enjoy watching your children race toy cars along the colorful streets.
3. Trace your children. Let them trace you. Trace feet and hands. Use the tracings to talk about shapes and sizes.
4. Play tic-tac-toe.
5. Take photographs of your children’s sidewalk art to remember it long after the rain washes it away.

Have other ideas? Leave a comment here and share your ideas with other parents!

Tags: babyearth, greentreehouse, sidewalk art