articles

7 Ways to Inspire 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. March 18, 2026

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!



Looking for helpful tips, fun things to do at home, and local events?

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

It's FREE




young girl making a hopscotch with colored chalk
DAPA images 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!



tick tack toe with colored chalk on the ground
davelogan from Getty Images Signature via Canva

2. Play a game

Use the entire sidewalk and play multiple games of Tic-Tac-Toe, Hangman or create your own game. Save paper, enjoy the fresh air, and best of all, just hose off the sidewalk and start again when it's dry!



have a great day written in colored chalkCRobertson 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.



young boy sitting on the drive way drawing pictures and messages with colored chalk
 JasonDoiy from Getty Images Signature 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.



colored chalk mosaic
Mathieu van den Berk from Getty Images via Canva

5. Tape chalk art

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



colored chalk road on the ground 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."



always look on the bright side of life with a big yellow sun drawn on the sidewalk with colored chalk  Chrystal Bolin from Getty Images Signature via Canva

7. Leave nice notes for the neighbors

Pick a sidewalk where others will be able to see and enjoy and draw a little picture or special message for all to see. 



a cute snail and turtle drown on the sidewalk with chalk
tzahiV from Getty Images Signaturevia Canva


Looking for a "mess-free" alternative to store bought sidewalk chalk?

Macaroni Kid Crafts -  DIY Chalk Paint - A Mess-Free Alternative


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

Edited by Brenna Gutell publisher of Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas, CA