Simple DIY Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course for Gross Motor and Literacy Skills
(An easy way to use sidewalk chalk outside to create an obstacle course for kids; Help their kids practice valuable literacy and numeracy skills all while using their bodies and developing their gross motor skills)
Sidewalk Chalk Outdoor Education Activities for Kids
I don’t know who invented sidewalk chalk or why, but I’m glad they did. There’s so much you can do with it and it keeps kids busy outside for hours! There are so many games you can set up with sidewalk chalk and the best part is that the kids don’t even know they’re learning while they’re at it ;)
A couple of weeks ago I set up a sidewalk chalk rock shapes activity outside and the neighbourhood kids had so much fun with it.
I love that sidewalk chalk games get the kids moving and developing their gross motor skills, jumping, skipping, spinning, hopping, walking outside. Also, it’s flipping great that sidewalk activities can be played in English OR French so kids in French Immersion can practice and play as well.
Easy Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
For this outdoor ed activity you first need to decide what your focus is for the obstacle course. Is it literacy? Math? Do you just want to get the little ones moving? The one I made is literacy and gross motor skills-based. Check my daughter trying out the one we made at home!
I find that what works well is to have a mix of words and different shapes drawn for the kids to move around on. I started mine with circles and put one letter in each circle. Then i added spirals that say “tourne” (spin around). I teach French Immersion so mine is in French.
Then I drew staggered squares and wrote “saute” (jump) and drew triangles in a line and wrote “galope” (gallop).
Lastly I drew 2 long arrows, side by side, and wrote “cours” (run).
If you are a teacher you might want to line your students up and have them try the chalk obstacle course one by one. My students love when I set a stopwatch to see if they can beat their times.
This burns a lot of energy so it’s good for everyone! W
While your outside you can collect some leaves and try this butterfly nature craft when you go back in ;)
How to Create a Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
Materials:
pavement
Method:
Decide what kind of sidewalk chalk obstacle course you will be making. Literacy? Numeracy? Gross motor skills?
Map out your obstacle course. You can draft it out on paper or just brainstorm what you want it to look like.
Add shapes, pictures and action words like jump, skip, hop, spin and twirl. Write the words to guide the kids on their next movement.
It’s go time! Have fun!
What other activities do you do with sidewalk chalk? Did you like this activity? Comment and let me know! When I want my kids to do something more nature-y I get them to make these nature crowns.
-Breyen
PS. If it’s a rainy day you might want to try this unicorn sensory bin or easy printable unicorn toilet paper craft.
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