Chalk Village

"This is the rainiest summer EVER!!!"

Direct quote from my 8-year-old.

Yes, I think she is right.

Yesterday, we took advantage of a gloomy day to make a chalk village. 

As long as the pavement is dry, this is a wonderful activity!

One of my kids' favorite outdoor activities is:

The Chalk Village

Break out the sidewalk chalk!  A bucket of chalk costs between $1 - $3.00.  The play lasts for hours.  We draw an entire town with roads they can drive through on their tricycles, bikes, and scooters.  I loved when they would drive a Cozy Coupe through town, but I think all my children are too big to ride in them now.

So here's the basic idea:

1.  Draw roads wide enough for the vehicles to drive through.

2.  Give the kids the rest of the chalk to draw whatever they want - rivers, bridges, stores...yesterday we made a vampire jail at the request of my 3-year-old boy.

3.  Bring out the vehicles!

Our favorite addition to this game is an old hose that we use for a "gas station."

4.  Sit back and watch the fun!!

*Note - If the pavement is wet, send your children out with the chalk anyway!!  Drawing on wet pavement is sort of like drawing with pastels.  It makes colors brighter and has a totally different effect than dry chalk.  Or, if it isn't raining/wet, soak your sidewalk chalk in water for a minute or so to achieve the same results.