It’s one of the oldest tricks in the game book: A piece of sidewalk chalk turns a ho-hum driveway or patio into an instant playground, the perfect spot for an oversize match of tic-tac-toe or hangman or an impromptu Twister mat.

If your kids show signs of being budding Monets, washable paints let them use any concrete or asphalt surface as a giant canvas. After they’re done, hose away their handiwork and your patio is back to its serious, grown-up self.

When the sun gets stronger, a good old-fashioned fort-building session is a fun way to get the kids into the shade. Drape a tablecloth or a bedsheet over the picnic table to create a cool “kids only” retreat, and lay down an exercise mat or a beach towel for a clean, comfy floor.