Sit on the Concrete. You'll Be Told What to Draw.

Why bother

Chalk is one of the few kid activities grown-ups actually join. You sit down, draw something wobbly, and the bar drops for everyone. Add water and the same stick goes on darker and thicker, like paint. Outdoor play is also linked with better motor skills.

Your kid doesn't have to draw to be part of it. If they'd rather give orders, hand over the job. No kit needed. Every time we've done this, it's been a big box of chalk and a roll of painter's tape.

Part of the appeal is that you get to sit down. You'll also hear your square is the wrong color.

What you'll need

• A big box of washable sidewalk chalk^* (affiliate link), with the AP seal on the box
• A roll of painter's tape^* (affiliate link)
• A low tub with an inch or two of water
• A flat paintbrush and a sponge or two
• A smooth patch of patio, away from the driveway and street
• Hats, sunscreen and water bottles

Quick start

1. Pick a smooth spot out of any car's path, in shade or in the morning.
2. Tape a row of squares. A curve, like a free-throw arch, gives everyone a square.
3. Sit down and draw the first square yourself. Ask, "Which square gets which color?"
4. Set the water tub off to the side, and sit next to it.
5. Dip the brush, rub it on the side of a chalk stick, and paint.
6. End by dumping the tub, then washing everyone's hands.

Discover moment: Press a wet sponge on dry concrete. Ask, "What happens if we wait?" Watch the print fade.

Connect moment: Ask, "What do I draw next?" Then draw it. Expect notes.

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Things to play this weekend, every Friday.

Too much? / Too easy?

Too much (2-3): Skip the squares. Hold the chalk with them and dab water with a sponge.

Too easy (6-8): They run the whole arch, one color per square.

Ways to play it (we've done all four):

• Wet Chalk Painting: we did a lot of this in June and July.
• Sponge Prints: press, lift, make another. We've made animal sponges for this.
• Hand Tracing: trace each other's hands. This was the one we liked.
• Party Station: the water plays at a birthday, one adult on the tub.

Cleanup

Dump the tub. Pull up the tape and box the chalk. Hose the concrete, or wait for rain.

What I tell friends: Sit on the ground with them. If they won't draw, let them be the boss. Ours was.

Show safety infoCars, the water bin, hot concrete, sun, and what to do if they eat some. 30-second read.