articles

7 Ways to Entertain the Kids with Sidewalk Chalk

Cheap and plentiful, sidewalk chalk can provide hours of entertainment with these ideas

By Jenny Sites, publisher of Macaroni KID Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania- Stafford, Va. April 4, 2024

My kids LOVE to play with sidewalk chalk and I love that it keeps them busy. We have come up with a number of fun things to do with sidewalk chalk I wanted to share with you. Hopefully, some of these ideas gives you a chance to grab a good book and relax in a lawn chair while your kids entertain themselves nearby!


rion819 via Canva

1. Hopscotch

Draw a hopscotch course on your driveway or sidewalk and watch them hop! You can make it smaller/shorter for younger kids or longer and harder for older kids!


 rick734's Images via Canva

2. Play a game

Use the entire sidewalk and play multiple games of tic tac toe or Hangman. Save paper, enjoy the fresh air, and best of all, just hose off the sidewalk and start again when it's dry!


CRobertson via Canva

3. Practice writing

Your kids won't realize that they're learning ... they will just think they are getting to play with chalk!  Have younger kids practice letters, numbers or write their name. Older kids can practice writing sight words, a sentence about something they see outside, or even a short story or poem.


 bugmandoug via Canva

4. Draw a picture

Suggest that your child draw something that they can see from your driveway, a place they would like to visit, their favorite memory, a monster or something of their choosing.


 Crystal Bolin Photography via Canva

5. Tape chalk art

grab some painter's tape and make a design on the driveway or sidewalk. Let your child color over it and then remove the tape to find a fun design!


 Kurjan Photo via Canva

6. Drive on a "road" 

Use chalk to make a road on the driveway and let your child "drive" their bike, scooter, skateboard, or rollerblades on it. If you have a large driveway or lots of kids playing, try making it into a circle or even adding "stop signs."


 Kurjanphoto via Canva

7. Leave nice notes for the neighbors

Choose a neighbor and draw a little picture or special message at the end of their driveway. 

Jenny Sites is the publisher of Macaroni KID Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania- Stafford, Va.