There are tons of outdoor activity ideas that you can do with toddlers and preschoolers! As the weather warms up, a chalk activity can be a quick and easy way to get your kids outside and active without spending a ton of money. Here are five of our favorites to get you started incorporating chalk activities with your little ones!
- Matching sight words
- How many?
- On the road again
- Follow the lines
- Target practice
Matching Sight Words
A great way to help toddlers and preschoolers get ready for kindergarten is to practice learning their alphabet and basic sight words. Instead of using worksheets and staying inside, head out to your driveway for a chalk activity that practices matching sight words.
Directions: For this outdoor activity, pick a few simple words or letters, depending on the ages of your toddlers or preschoolers. Using chalk, write the letters or words on the ground, and then use a marker to write each word or letter on a piece of paper. Ask your little ones to match what they see on the paper to the correct word or letter on the ground. As preschoolers and toddlers get older, you can use bigger words or say the word verbally and ask them to find it on the ground!
How Many?
This chalk activity is a fantastic way to practice counting with your toddlers and preschoolers. The best part is that all you need is chalk! There are modifications for this chalk activity for rainy days, as well as if you want to make things a bit more challenging.
Directions: Using chalk, write the numbers one through ten on the ground and draw a circle around each number. Then, ask your child to place the correct amount of items in each circle. You can use leaves, toys, rocks, or anything else you want! Although we use this as an outdoor activity, you can also transition this indoors on rainy days by writing the numbers on pieces of paper or using baskets. Change things up for your toddlers and preschoolers by asking them to match colors or shapes!
On the Road Again
If you have preschoolers or toddlers who are car-obsessed, they’ll love this chalk activity! This game uses chalk to create an outdoor activity that pairs hand-eye coordination with the fun of cars, trucks, or other toys. Plus, this is one of the easiest ideas when it comes to a chalk activity!
Directions: Use chalk to draw roads on the ground. You can be super simple and do straight lines, or make things more complicated and add stop signs, curves, and more. Then, have your toddlers and preschoolers trace the lines with their favorite toy.
Follow the Lines
Practicing balance and coordination is a great way to develop brain cells in toddlers and preschoolers! This outdoor activity is a fun way to help your little ones practice their balance skills safely.
Directions: Draw lines on the ground in different shapes and styles, such as zigzagging, swirls, and squiggles. Have your little ones walk along the lines trying to keep their feet on the chalk line as much as possible. Follow the lines is similar to the “on the road again” chalk activity, except instead of using objects, you use your feet!
Target Practice
This game is another excellent way to mix an outdoor activity with hand-eye coordination practice. It’s fun, easy, safe, and great for everyone in the family, from toddlers and preschoolers to adults.
Directions: Bring this chalk activity to life by drawing a line on the ground. Then, estimate two feet, and draw a circle. Two feet from that circle, draw a second circle. This creates targets for your kiddos to toss objects into. You can make the circles as small or large as you want and space them wherever you want!
If you’re looking for more awesome ideas on how to entertain your little ones at home, or if you need child care, The Breakie Bunch is here to help! Visit our blog for parenting tips, information on the impact of high-quality experiences on preschoolers and toddlers, and more. To learn more about our child care options, email us, or call 248-674-9543.