Summer is here and we are loving the warm weather and sunshine.  Being outdoors is an essential part of life that sparks creativity, inspiration, and fun for children and adults alike.   It can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost concentration.  If you’re feeling sluggish mid-day, step outside for a bit.  The fresh air and vitamin D are sure to give you aa much needed energy boost.

One of my favorite things about learning from home is that you can incorporate learning everywhere you go.  I am truly amazed at the topics and conversations that get brought up during our daily walks.  Lately, we have been discussing construction vehicles, insects, tadpoles, and frogs.  We also love turning walks into scavenger hunts to see what we can find around town.

Recently, we started practicing letter sounds with our almost 4-year-old.  She has been working with flashcards and we have been emphasizing each sound and referencing letters every chance we get.  In just a matter of days, she has already started to catch on and I notice her making sounds on her own.

While we were outside the other day, she asked to play a game with chalk.  Normally, we will play Hop Scotch, but I was hoping for something new and exciting.  That’s when the ABC game for kids was born.  It’s such a fun learning game that your kids are sure to enjoy.Learning through play with sidewalk chalk activities

Sidewalk Chalk ABC Game

Disclaimer: Blossoming through Motherhood receives a commission for qualifying purchases from affiliate links below.  Rest assured, I only share products that I love in hopes that you will too. 

What You’ll Need

  • Sidewalk Chalk
  • A Paved Surface such as a Driveway or Sidewalk
  • An Active Child
  • *Optional Ways to Play: Squirt Gun or Rock/Pebble

Objectives

  • To practice letter recognition and saying letter sounds.
  • To burn some never-ending energy and sneak in some learning too.

 

Getting Ready

This ABC game for kids is super simple to set up.  All you need to do is write out each letter of the alphabet with sidewalk chalk.  That’s it!  Feel free to play it according to your child’s needs and skill level.  We are starting out with lower case letters, but you could easily write capital letters or mix it up and use capital and lower case letters to make it even more challenging for your eager learners.

ABC Sidewalk Chalk Game

How to Play

Once your letters are completed, have your child hop to a letter.  When they are standing on a letter, ask them to tell you which letter they are on and/or what sound the letter makes.

You can also say the name of the letter or make the letter sound yourself and ask them to find the letter that you’re referencing.

Child playing sidewalk chalk letter game

Quick Tips

  • Children can get bored quickly so I suggest switching the game up a bit.  Instead of jumping to the letter, your child could toss a rock and call out the letter/sound that the rock lands on.
  • You could also use a squirt gun to squirt the letter.  I like the squirt gun idea because it provides a visual for them to see which letters they have already accomplished.  Plus, it’s a perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day.
  • You could switch places with your child and have your child make the letter sound, while you jump to the letter.
  • Is your child working on their shapes, colors, numbers, or sight words?  You can easily tailor this game to fit what you are working on with your child and their skill level by switching up what you draw.

 

This game was a first for us, and it was a hit. We have now implemented it into our daily routine.  I love that the game enhances engagement, focus, motivation, fine and gross motor skills, as well as language development.  My daughter loves how fun it is jumping around and shouting out letter sounds.  I truly hope your family enjoys this ABC game for kids as much as we do.

If you’re looking for other outdoor activities to get your little ones moving, be sure to check out Get Moving Bingo.

 

Love & Blessings,

 

Meg

 

Learning games with sidewalk chalk

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