Surviving Social Distancing: Chalk it up!

Sidewalk chalk is likely one of the most versatile outdoor activities out there. You have likely seen countless posts about neighborhood movement paths drawn along the sidewalk. Our neighborhood took to writing words of encouragement along the sidewalk for those who were walking to break up the boredom. Check out this fun set of chalk from Crayola with bright, bold colors and pointed tips that are great for when you are attempting finer lines or writing letters.

There are so many fun ways to use sidewalk chalk. Many of these could occur indoors or outdoors. These are adapted from a list provided by Linda Fletcher, a very talented Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

1. Tape paper or construction paper to a vertical surface; tall kneel while coloring. If you have surface on your house or porch that you do not mind some temporary decorations, this could also be done just on the side of the house. We have faux brick on the front and it typically washes off in one rain shower.

2. Turn a piece of chalk on its end twisting as pressure is applied to paper or the ground to make dots. You can blow on the dust or swipe and brush or hand across it to spread it in fun and different ways.

3. If you choose not to spread the dots you can connect the dots with another colored piece of chalk.

4. Dip chalk ends into water to draw on construction paper or the sidewalk for a super fun effect!

5. “Paint” hands with chalk dipped in water then make a print on paper or the sidewalk.

6. Tape lines over a piece of construction paper then color in with different colored chalk. We have seen neighbors do the same effect on the sidewalk.

7. Draw “roads” and “houses” all over the driveway then push a large car around. An alternative is smaller roads with matchbox cars. You could use various containers to make bridges or buildings to drive around. 

8. Draw a hopscotch grid and hop away! We put numbers in ours, but you could also do letters, shapes or color each square a different color to work on recognition during a movement activity.

9. Draw different tasks to complete during a drawn obstacle course. Turning in circles, hopping on foot, frog jumps, running, bear walking and zig zag walking are just a few ideas.

10. Draw on a wooden fence or painter’s tape a design and color it in. This is another great way to gets arms moving and for strengthening shoulders!

11. Dip chalk into water and color bark on a tree or sticks. What a great way to experience a variety of textures!

12. Draw scenes with chalk and take pictures of you and your creation. I have seen some draw city scenes and have their children lie down over the top so the picture looks like they are flying. How fun would it be to make a super hero themed Father's Day Card like that?

13. Draw shapes creating a game to complete animal walks between them. Animal walks are a great way to build strength and coordination while learning all about where our bodies are in space!

14. Draw shapes then listen to commands, “bear walk to the circle.” Adding in this piece helps build the capacity for following directions in a super fun way!

15. Using or rock to crush the chalk, make chalk dust then add water and paint with it. Painting can happen with hands or brushes!

17. Draw a design then using a squirt gun or spray bottle, add water for a super fun effect. You can use brushes, brooms or fingers to create texture.

16. Draw a Candy Land game and work on colors with construction paper and a color dice. You could make the dice out of an old box with colors of paper glued to the sides. Try throwing it over head with both arms for extra input!

18.  Draw shapes on the driveway then add nature items to fill in or outline them. You could pick things to match colors for some added fun!

19. Turn chalk on its side and rub it on paper or sidewalk in all directions. This one can get messy, but provides a lot of laughs and input!

20. Take turns by first person making a dot on the sidewalk, next person draws a circle around it continuing until there’s no more room.

21. Sit or Lie on the driveway to make large, arched stroke with chalk as far as you can reach to the right and left.

22. Take turns tracing each other and then label body parts. You could even add direction following by saying "jump on your arm" or "tip toe to your feet."

23. Draw a target and throw bean bags or small stuffed animals trying to get as close to the center as possible.

24. Draw a garden on your walk.

25. Write the letters of your child's name on the walk and jump on each letter in order to facilitate name recognition and learning to spell his/her name by combining the activity with movement. My family likes to put all of the letters in a song and jump to each one as it is named.

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