Grammy on the Go
In the current issue (July/August) of Boomer magazine, I wrote of sharing the joy of bubbles with the grandkids. Another fun, inexpensive activity to do at home is playing with chalk. So many things to do with sidewalk chalk!
Playing with sidewalk chalk reinforces the learning of color skills and also improves dexterity. Very little preparation is required. I always provide a large t-shirt for the children to wear (inside out) so it protects their clothes and makes clean up a lot easier.
Here are some ideas for chalk creativity:
Drawing with chalk: Our kids love to make their own creative drawings. The boys like to make solar systems and rockets. The girls like to scribble or color in shapes that you can draw for them. We assign to each child an entire cement block of the sidewalk or driveway, so they will not accidentally destroy someone’s artwork. Sidewalk chalk can be bought as sticks or even fancy chalk. I recently found out that there is glitter chalk and that it comes in shapes such as ice cream bars or ice cream cones! They love the variety and can keep focused for an extended period of time.
Painting with chalk: You can make sidewalk paint with the grandkids. This is quick and easy, using only water and cornstarch, with added food coloring. Mix equal amounts of water and cornstarch and stir until the cornstarch is well dissolved. Pour this mixture into cupcake pans, and then add 3-5 drops of food coloring to each section for your color palate. Provide a medium-sized paintbrush, and let them paint outside. Definitely put on an old t-shirt for this activity, since there can be some splashing. I was surprised that even the 3 yr. olds were not all that messy. The “paint” dries to a brighter hue, and all can be washed away with the next rain.
Spread sunshine: Go to the sidewalk in front of your neighbor’s or another friend’s house and chalk a cheery message for them to see. We did a birthday sidewalk painting of a big cake and balloons. You could write a get well message and
draw flowers to someone who is ill to view on their way to the mailbox. Or, chalk a simple smiling hello for a jogger passing by.
Play games: Chalk the kids a typical hopscotch pattern, or let them design their own hopscotch. Our grandkids loved to make up different block formations and then jump on their created patterns. Don’t step on a line!
Work together on a project: Do a chalk project and learn teamwork. Make a chalk stained glass design. Place tape crisscross style across 1-2 blocks of driveway and let them work together to fill in the spaces with all different chalk colors. (Or use chalk paint) When completed, remove the tape to reveal a beautiful stained glass design.
This is an activity that will keep your grandkids’ interest for a long time. Join in the chalking fun, or relax with a book to read while you watch them chalk away on a summer day!
Photo credits: Karen Shadrach
