Create an easy Summer Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course for kids with fun movements like jumping, spinning, balancing, stomping, and more! A simple outdoor summer activity kids will love.
Looking for an easy outdoor activity to keep kids entertained this summer? This Summer Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course is one of my favorite low-effort ways to get kids outside, moving, and having fun.
The best part is you can customize it however you want using simple movements kids already love — jumping, spinning, balancing, stomping, tiptoeing, waddling, and more. It feels like a whole event to kids, but it only takes a little sidewalk chalk and a few minutes to set up.
I love these chalk obstacle courses because they work for so many ages, they encourage imaginative play, and neighborhood kids almost always end up joining in too. Plus, it’s a great way to break up long summer days when everyone starts getting a little stir crazy.
Summer Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
Whether you make a giant driveway course or just a small path down the sidewalk, this is such a fun way to add a little magic to an ordinary summer afternoon.
Hop on the popsicles
I love a good hopping back and forth obstacle! What better to hop on than popsicles!
I did the outlining on all of these chalk shapes, and my 5 year old daughter colored them in.
The popsicles are easy to make as an oval with 1 flat end and then another color for the stick!
Splash in the puddles
Kids love a chance to stomp and splash - let them pretend to splash in the puddles, even on a dry day!
My daughter loved coloring in the puddles - let the kids get involved in the coloring for extra fun.
Avoid the waves
Give the kiddos a chance to zig and zag around and avoid the waves! This is a great way to mix up the jumping and stomping.
Sun Spin!!!
No chalk obstacle course is complete without a spinning obstacle! This sunshine is fun and a great way to get the kids dizzy.
I drew the spiral and let my daughter do the lines coming out the sun!
Climb the palm tree
I always like to follow up a spin obstacle with a balance obstacle. Because being dizzy makes it more fun!
This is a fun beachy take on balance!
Freeze like ice cream
Kids love a good FREEZE in the middle of big movements. Bonus points if you have a sibling or friend who can tell them when to un-freeze!
Lots of laughter, guaranteed.
Catch the fireflies
Kids can jump from bug to bug. Some kids like to bend down to "grab" them!
My daughter loved drawing these and gave each a yellow glowy butt. Her words! 🙂
Jump into the pool
End with a splash with a simple diving board! Kids love taking a mega jump!
Beach party dance finish
I love ending with a dance party! Even shy kids are ready to dance by the end of this silly obstacle course.
This Summer Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course ended up being one of those activities my kids played with way longer than I expected — always a win in my book.
The fun thing about sidewalk chalk is there are no rules. Add more obstacles, change the theme, make it longer, sillier, or more active depending on your kids’ ages and energy levels that day.
It’s simple, inexpensive, and such an easy way to make an ordinary summer day feel a little more special. Sometimes those simple little moments end up being the things kids remember most.
Tips for Drawing a Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
You definitely don't need to be an artist to make a fun sidewalk chalk obstacle course, but a few little tricks make it easier to draw, easier for kids to follow, and last a little longer!
- Double-draw your letters. Write each letter normally with one color, then go over it again slightly offset with a second color to make it look thicker. It makes the words MUCH easier to read from a distance and makes everything look more colorful.
- Don't bother coloring everything in. Sidewalk chalk gets used up surprisingly quickly when you're filling in giant shapes! Outline your apples, pencils, stars, and other pictures and only add a little color where you really want it.
- Use whatever sidewalk chalk you have. Any chalk will work, but this sidewalk chalk set is by FAR my favorite. It comes with tons of colors, I love the sharp points for drawing details, and the square shape makes the pieces really easy to grip.
- Buy chalk when you see it on sale. We go through a LOT of sidewalk chalk, so I grab extra boxes whenever I find a good deal.
- Store your chalk in a plastic bin with a lid. I dump all of our chalk loose into a plastic storage bin. It's easy for the kids to grab whenever they want to play, and the lid helps keep moisture out so the chalk lasts longer.
- Draw the course on dry pavement. Chalk is much brighter and easier to draw with when the sidewalk or driveway is completely dry.
- Check the weather first! There is nothing quite like spending forever drawing an entire obstacle course only to have a summer thunderstorm wash it away 20 minutes later. Ask me how I know.
- Let the kids help. If you don't want little helpers slowing down the actual drawing, outline everything first and then hand over the chalk for them to add colors and decorations. It keeps them involved without making the setup take forever.
Want more easy ways to make summer feel fun without overcomplicating it?
My free Summer Magic Binder is packed with simple ideas, bucket list pages, weekly rhythms, planning sheets, and realistic routines designed for busy moms. It’s all about creating meaningful summer memories without the pressure to make everything Pinterest-perfect.
Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I'm Morgan, the creative mind behind CelebratingWithKids.com! As a parent of two lively little ones, I've made it my mission to turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, sharing playful activities, thoughtful toy reviews, and delightful printables to help families celebrate every moment together. 🎉👨👩👧👦🎈
