27 Sidewalk Chalk Ideas for Kids

Sidewalk chalk ideas for kids are a fun boredom buster in the summertime. Try these chalk games, art ideas, and fun photo scenes!

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Sidewalk chalk is a great item to have on hand in the summertime. It’s the ultimate arts and crafts supply because you can let your kids get messy and cleanup is easy.

Chalk is also very versatile. It comes in lots of shapes, sizes, and colors – and you can even make your own homemade sidewalk chalk with a simple recipe from Princess Pinky Girl.

If you need some inspiration for chalk ideas for kids, try a few of these fun games, draw some chalk art, or bring out your camera for a silly photo shoot.

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Sidewalk chalk games

Sidewalk chalk can be used for lots of games beyond the classic tic tac toe or hopscotch. Help kids draw their own game board to play a few of these creative games on your driveway or concrete patio.

Make a board game to practice doing math, via Look We’re Learning.
Draw a shape maze on your driveway like Creative Family Fun.
If you’ve got the space, draw a giant chalk town to play. Via B-Inspired Mama.
Draw a target on the ground with chalk for your child to toss bean bags.
Create a life-sized board game similar to chutes and ladders like View From a Step Stool.
Simple Play Ideas recommends playing corners if you’ve got a group of 3 or more kids.
Draw a checkerboard (8 by 8 squares) and collect rocks to use as the checkers.
If you remember playing the electronic Simon game, this chalk version from Toddler Approved is a creative alternative.
Draw a chalk version of the game Twister. Have an adult call out each person’s action.
Create your own obstacle course with ideas from Passion for Savings.

Sidewalk chalk art

Doodle and draw all summer long with this sidewalk chalk art for inspiration. These ideas are fun for doing art around your neighborhood or at a community park.

Have kids take turns tracing each other’s shadows, then let each one draw their own details.
Go outside on a gently rainy day to draw and walk your child’s art turn into watercolors.
Imitate stained glass with this fun chalk art pattern at Your Modern Family.
If you have a brick walkway, bring out a rainbow of chalk colors so your kids can color each brick.
Write some of the words to a favorite song, then let the kids illustrate it.
Give each child space to write their name in large letters (or help preschoolers write it). Then kids can trace around the letters with different colors.
Fill in a square of the sidewalk with different patterns to create a mandala or a zentangle.
Trace shoes to make a path of your child’s footprints. They could lead somewhere – or not!
Find a place where the sidewalk or driveway has been damaged and/or repaired. Use that as a starting place for a unique design.
Take kids on a nature walk to collect found items, like interesting rocks or leaves. Have them draw something on the sidewalk that can incorporate those items. (For example, draw a turtle and use a large acorn cap for its shell.)

Sidewalk chalk photos

Have you seen the trendy photos taken while looking straight down at someone laying on the ground? Snap a cute photo of your kid laying on the sidewalk with a clever background drawn in chalk. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.

Draw giant butterfly or fairy wings and let your child color them in. Have them lay on top of the wings. You can also add antennas!
Create a bouquet of balloons and draw long strings. Get your child to lay and put their hand like they are holding onto the balloons.
Draw a parachute surrounded by clouds with your child at the bottom. Have them hold their arms up as if they’re holding onto the cords.
Let kids draw a giant underwater scene with seaweed, fish, and whatever they imagine. Snap the photo with them in their swimsuits, pretending to swim.
Draw a silly costume – like a pirate hat or an astronaut helmet – with accessories that your child can lay on top of to pose.
Choose something heavy to draw, then have your child lay with their arms as if they’re holding it up. It could be something realistic (like a barbell) or something silly (like an elephant).
Write something that your child says all the time. Draw a speech bubble around the text and have your child lay beside it.

When it comes to fun summer chalk ideas, the only limit is your child’s imagination. Save these ideas for inspiration, then set out some sidewalk chalk and see what new ideas your children can come up with.

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