Low Cost Summer Activities – Sidewalk Chalk

This is part 3 in a multi-part series… tune in next week for more fun!

Want a source of endless summer fun?  Look no further than Sidewalk Chalk, available for as little as $1.  Crayola has some neat Sidewalk Chalk, I am really interested in trying out the 3D version, but spending extra is optional if you want plenty of kid fun.  I think we all know chalk can be used for endless hours of artistic fun, but Sidewalk Chalk in our house gets used for SO much more!

Four Square

Before it became an internet sensation, Four Square was an awesome outdoor game: With 4 players, chalk and a bouncy ball, you can have endless fun.  Here is a listing of rules from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_square

Cost: $1 for chalk, as little as $1 for a bouncy ball

Create a Race Course

A huge sidewalk chalk favorite in our house is the race course.  Players create a track, including obstacles, curves and stops, with Sidewalk chalk and a race ensues.  Vehicles can include roller blades, skateboards, tricycles, bikes, etc. (but please, don’t forget a helmet!).  My kids love doing this in the summer, a simple sprinkle with the hose lets them start with a new course once again.

Cost: $1 for Sidewalk Chalk.  If you don’t have a trike, bike, etc., these race courses can always be run, walked or skipped.

Hop Scotch

Use Sidewalk chalk to construct and decorate the Hop Scotch playing surface.  I love, love, love this site, which gives several variations of Hop Scotch as well as diagrams for laying out the boards: http://education.alberta.ca/physicaleducationonline/teacherresources/toolbox/a_k_3/a_k3_15.pdf.  The Snail version looks particularly cool.  Thanks Education Alberta!

Cost: $1 for Sidewalk Chalk, and nothing for a pebble or small stone.

Other Stuff

I have also had some emails this week about other fun activities.  Education.com is doing a Summer Activities challenge, looks like they have some great low cost ideas and prizes, so check them out: http://www.education.com/summer-activities-challenge/?CID=60.02

On twitter: Check out this from No Time for Flash Cards: http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2010/06/driveway-graffiti.html It is a great driveway graffiti idea, I am going to give it a whirl at home. I am hoping that the use of food colouring won’t permanently discolor the driveway, though… maybe I can use ground up chalk with water to coat the ball?

If you have a great idea for Sidewalk Chalk you would love to share, post your comment below, we’d love to hear from you!