If you're looking for a low-cost way to keep the kids busy outside this summer, this is one activity that's definitely worth trying. It takes very little setup, uses supplies many families already have at home, and can be as structured or as open-ended as you want it to be.
We've done this at our house more than once, and it never seems to get old.
All you need is a roll of painter's tape, a bucket of sidewalk chalk, and a little bit of driveway or sidewalk space.
You can tape out a design ahead of time for younger children, but older kids may have even more fun creating their own. My daughter actually prefers making her own patterns and deciding where every piece of tape goes before she starts coloring. That's part of what makes this activity so much fun. Some kids carefully plan out geometric designs while others just start sticking tape down and see where it leads.
There doesn't have to be a plan.
Once the tape is in place, it's time to color. Fill each section with a different shade, create rainbow patterns, mix colors together, or simply use every piece of chalk in the bucket. There really isn't a wrong way to do it.
Then comes everyone's favorite part.
Peeling up the tape reveals crisp lines between the colors and instantly transforms the driveway into a giant abstract masterpiece. At our house, the big unveiling is almost as exciting as creating the artwork itself.
If your kids are looking for ideas, they could try:
- Giant letters or their initials
- A colorful hopscotch board
- Hearts, stars, or other simple shapes
- A maze to decorate before walking through
- One big collaborative design or individual sections for each child
The supply list couldn't be much simpler:
- Sidewalk chalk
- Painter's tape
- A driveway, sidewalk, or patio
That's it.
Another bonus? Cleanup is basically automatic. Leave the artwork up for neighbors to enjoy for a few days, or let the next rainstorm wash it away so the kids can start all over again.
Some of the best summer activities don't require tickets or expensive supplies. Sometimes a roll of painter's tape, a box of chalk, and a little imagination are all you need to fill an afternoon with creative fun.
