Chalk and Pavement Games for Driveways and Sidewalks

A box of chalk and any bit of pavement is enough for an afternoon of games. Here's a full list, sorted by age, that needs nothing else.

Pavement chalk is one of the cheapest, most reliable entertainment tools a family can own. A few pounds' worth turns any driveway, path or patch of concrete into a game board.

Ages 3–6

Simple hopscotch: The classic numbered grid, hop through and back.
Colour path: Draw a winding path of different coloured squares; call out a colour and race to hop only on those squares.
Chalk maze: Draw a large, simple maze and race a small toy car or a finger through it.
Trace and match: Draw shapes and have your child trace them, then find real objects that match.

Ages 7–9

Obstacle course: Chalk arrows, hopping squares, a "balance beam" line and a spinning-around circle, all combined into one course.
Four square: A classic playground game needing just a large square divided into four, and a bouncy ball.
Target toss: Draw a target with a points system (like a dartboard) and toss beanbags or small stones onto it.
Chalk board games: Draw an oversized snakes-and-ladders board and use kids themselves as the pieces, moved by dice roll.

Ages 10–14

Timed obstacle course, competitive edition: The same idea as younger ages, but timed and re-attempted to beat a personal best.
Chalk trivia hopscotch: Write a question in each square; answer correctly to advance.
Giant tic-tac-toe: A large grid, with beanbags or chalk marks as X and O.
Mural relay: Each player adds one element to a collaborative chalk drawing in a race against the clock.

When the pavement needs a new idea

A blank stretch of pavement is an open invitation, but it helps to have a fresh idea ready. TinyThinkLabs can suggest a chalk-friendly game matched to your child's age in seconds.