Chalk art is an incredibly underrated art practice for kids. But it shouldn't be! There are so many fun ideas on how to use this medium to create plenty of beautiful art projects. And the best part? Since chalk isn't permanent, it's easy to clean up. Your child can also create as much art as they like! When they're ready to make something new, it's as simple as wiping or washing the chalk away.
So, if you want to keep your kids happy and give them a creative outlet that won't destroy your carpets and wallpaper, chalk is the way to go! Plus, if you're stuck for inspiration on how to use it, just take a look at all of the amazing chalk art ideas we've listed below.
7 Fun Chalk Art Ideas For Kids
Whether you're looking for a fun summer craft project for your child or you're just trying to tap into their inner Picasso, chalk art can be a great way to keep your little ones entertained. It's easy to use, easy to clean, and a super easy way to exercise your child's creativity. This is also why we love having chalk as part of our kids' art supplies!
1. Interactive games
What if we told you that you could use sidewalk chalk not only to create some colorful masterpieces but also to invent fun and entertaining games for your little one to play? Of course, half of the fun is using the chalk to set up the games, and you can get your kids involved by explaining the rules and letting them create the 'game board' with you.
For instance, you can draw up several hopscotch squares and allow your child to decorate each square however they'd like. Then, when they're done, it's time to play a few rounds! You could also create a chalk maze with different magical creatures around every corner. And the best part? You can let your child's imagination run wild!
2. Drawing their favorite cartoon characters
Although this may seem like a relatively simple chalk art idea, we all know just how excited our kids get over their favorite cartoon characters. Whether it's Peppa Pig, Bluey, Spongebob, or any other character they love, they can create something truly unique.
For younger kids, make the outline for them and let them color it in - kind of like a giant coloring book! Alternatively, challenge your older kids to draw cartoon characters from memory. If you have the time, you can draw an entire list of characters from their favorite TV show. (And, if you're open to some constructive criticism, get your little one to review your masterpieces!)
3. Fun, educational chalk art
Sidewalk chalk art can be both fun and educational. For instance, if you want to incorporate some learning into your child's outdoor activities, use your chalk for water word painting, creating an alphabet grid, or even playing sight word twister!
To get a better idea of what you'll need and how to get started with these educational games, be sure to check out our blog on sidewalk chalk ideas.
4. Storytelling
Some of the best creative ideas for kids are born out of simplicity - much like using chalk to create visual stories. You can do this in a number of ways - outline comic strips so your child can make up a story with characters, for example. Another option is to help your child design a colorful backdrop they can use as a 'stage' to act out a story with their toys.
You can really let your children's imaginations run free with this one, since it's up to them to tell the story. If you have younger children, you can always switch it up to suit their skill levels. For example, you can tell them a story and have them draw about what they're hearing. Or, let them draw out the scene and start making up a story from what they've produced.
5. Drawing what you see
Another fun chalk art idea is to allow your children to draw what they see. You can do this by setting up a scene for them to reproduce (kind of like creating still life art!) or by letting them explore their surroundings and choose an object to draw that interests them.
What we love about this chalk art activity is that it encourages them to look at things from a new perspective. So, they're not only practicing their fine motor skills and coordination, but they're also learning how to think outside the box and use their creativity to turn something 'boring' into a work of art.
6. Chalk painting
Want to create your own DIY chalk paint? It's easy! All you need to do is shave some of the chalk pastels into separate dishes and grab a bowl of water.
If you have paintbrushes on hand, your child can mix the water with the chalk to form paint. If you don't mind things getting a little messy, they can always use their fingers! This may be better if you're creating art outdoors.
You can let your kids paint on whatever surface you have available. Whether it's the sidewalk, a chalkboard, or even plain black construction paper, there are plenty of art projects they can enjoy with this technique.
7. Get creative with chalkboards
Chalkboards aren't just for decorating classrooms or making dull homeschooling rooms more exciting. Instead, they can be used at home for education and amazing art.
One of our favorite ideas to keep kids busy is to set up a restaurant or storefront with your child's toys and use the chalkboard as a signboard for their imaginary store.
For example, you can get creative with chalkboard lettering and help your child with drawing up a menu for their restaurant. Then, they can include pictures of menu items to make the board look more exciting, giving them a chance to practice their skills with chalk paint or chalk markers.
Pro tip: If you have chalk markers lying around, be sure to try out some of our other chalk marker craft ideas for more creative fun.
FAQs
How long does outdoor chalk art last?
Outdoor chalk usually lasts for a few days - as long as it's not raining, that is! But that's the beauty of it. It's easy to wash this chalk away, and you can do it with a bucket of water or using your hosepipe.
It's important to remember that if you're going to use outdoor chalk somewhere like your driveway or on the sidewalk in front of your home, it may smudge. This is particularly true if the art is in an area with heavy foot traffic (or if you're reversing your car over it every time you back out of your driveway).
Is outdoor chalk safe for all ages?
Absolutely! High-quality outdoor chalk is usually non-toxic and safe for kids of all ages. Of course, as with any activity, you will want to supervise younger children using chalk since it may be a choking hazard. But overall, it's a safe and mess-free way for your children to express their creativity.
Can chalk art be washed off easily?
Absolutely! Whether you're washing it off the sidewalk or cleaning up your chalkboard, chalk is easy to clean. It only takes a few minutes to remove it from almost any surface - usually, all you need is a chalkboard eraser or some water.
Final Thoughts
Getting your kids outdoors doesn't have to be a chore! In fact, it's really easy to encourage and excite them with the prospect of an 'outdoors day' with these easy chalk art ideas.
Just remember to practice basic outdoor safety like sun protection if you head outside in summer. And if it's raining, you can always bring your kids indoors and let them create their chalk art projects on construction paper or a Loddie Doddie chalkboard!