- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Chalk It up to Fun
Creative Activities for Toddlers Using Chalk
By Kymberly Pratt
Chalk is a classic tool of fun for toddlers and preschoolers. It is simple and small, yet can create hours and hours of smiles and giggles. The colorful sticks can facilitate individual and group play.
Chalk comes in all sizes – from jumbo to pencil sized – and in a rainbow of colors from neon to plain old white. And now it even comes in fun shapes, like eggs and flowers. Fun has gotten even more fun! So grab your children and the chalk of your choice and make some memories with these engaging activities.
Here are some activities to play with older babies and toddlers. Be sure to never leave your child unattended – adult supervision is required!
Fun with Shapes: With your child in your lap, draw shapes in different colors. Draw a red circle, a blue square and green heart. Talk about the colors. Talk about the shapes. Repeat the colors and shapes to them. Never underestimate what a child can learn from any age. Have a bowl of water nearby with a paint brush or sponge. Let your child help you wash off the concrete. Wash off the red circle first and so on.
Our Scene: "One of our girls' favorite activities was to draw 'our scene,'" says Amanda Trapp, a mom and retired teacher from Katy, Texas. "I would draw a house and maybe our family in stick figures. My girls would draw their version of a tree, grass and maybe clouds. It was a great way to help with their gross motor skills." Keep in mind it may be just a line at a young age but to them it is a tree. Make sure to encourage them! Again, never leave them unattended and make sure they do not put the chalk in their mouth.
