We have another great link up this week - the first of a series of Outside Play link up's each featuring a different theme. This months theme is Chalk.
Now we haven't had chalk until this year - I don't know why we didn't get some last year with J apart from for the fact that last summer he really wasn't into mark making but this year he loves it. So when we were giving a large bucket of side walk chalks I just knew that we had to get them out.
Our chalk post is just as simple as simple gets - letting J and T (yes at 15 months she is starting to already make marks) get busy with the chalks on our patio.
We mainly have decking and lawn in the garden but I knew that things like drawing on paving slabs were an essential part of outside fun for children so we put in a few slabs so that J and T had an area that they could draw on to their hearts content.
J is very into writing his name - I can see him getting 1 letter down - the rest he still sees at lines, but at 34 months with no writing practice he's picking things up already I'm a very proud Mum.
T is at the making dots stage and the occasional line - what really surprised me is that she didn't want to eat the chalks (I think she may have licked her hand and didn't like the taste of the chalk.
It's such a fun activity and with a bucket of chalks the children can let their imagination run wild. I haven't yet shown J how to remove it as it seems to rain every other day at the moment - but as soon as we get a series of dry days I'll get him with a bucket and a brush washing it down - he will have so much fun.
Cerys Parker
Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, high school teacher and mum. Realising that life doesn't have to be put on hold and you don't just have to survive whilst the kids are young she shares ideas to inspire you to LIVE with the kids, with activities to do together, recipes to cook and enjoy and family travel to make memories to last a lifetime.
maggy, red ted art says
Oooh I think we need to get a BIG POT of chalk like that! How fun.
Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy & Alissa
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
it's now on my essential summer supplies list - a new tub each year 😀
Coombemill says
Chalk is great, the kids can go crazy with big spaces and no lasting effects! Mine used to collect chalk on the South Downs and come back and draw on Grandma's patio with it! Everyone was happy as it just washed away in the rain again. Great idea for a linky!
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
Very little chalk here but can get lucky sometimes and find on the beaches washed up (very lucky if we do) but the grandparents live on chalk will have to do similar when we go and visit. Next outdoor play linky is water 😀
Tat says
My kids love chalk, too. Can you believe it that our neighbours complain and makes us wash off our artwork? (we live in an apartment block)
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
That is terrible - kids should be allowed to have fun
jaime says
your kids are so cute out there with the chalk. We love chalk over here. I have just as much fun with them as my oldest son, I think:-) Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails
JDaniel4's Mom says
What fun! I remember my guy at this age. I love the crocs!