Chalk the Block at the National Portrait Gallery

Chalk the Block at the National Portrait Gallery

I'll be honest with you: if your kids like chalk, get ready for them to come home looking like a tie-dye experiment gone wrong. Chalk the Block takes over the F Street sidewalk outside the National Portrait Gallery and turns the whole stretch into one giant canvas. Kids grab chalk and just go for it. There's no right or wrong here, no assigned squares, no rules. Just concrete and color everywhere.

The DJ sets a really nice mood while everyone draws. It's not blasting dance music or anything overwhelming. More of a chill summer-afternoon feel that keeps the energy up without stressing anyone out. My kids barely noticed the music at first, but they were bobbing their heads after about ten minutes.

Then there's the ice cream cart. Free ice cream. That alone would have been enough to make my kids call this the best day ever. Fair warning though: it's first come, first served, so don't wait until 5 PM to go looking for it.

Speaking of 5 PM, that's when the jazz concert kicks off in the courtyard. I expected my toddler to lose interest immediately, but the musicians were so good that she actually sat and watched for a solid fifteen minutes. For a two-year-old, that's basically a standing ovation. The whole event is part of the Smithsonian's America's 250th celebration, so it has that big-event feel without the big-event crowds. If you've got a creative kid who loves to draw (or just loves making a mess), this one's a winner.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Bring wet wipes. Lots of them. Chalk gets EVERYWHERE. Hands, faces, knees, somehow inside shoes. You'll thank yourself later.
• ✓Wear clothes you don't care about. This is not the day for the nice outfit. Old t-shirts and shorts are your best bet.
• ✓Hit the ice cream cart early. It's first come, first served, and free ice cream disappears fast. Get there closer to 3 PM if you want to snag some.
• ✓The jazz concert starts at 5 PM in the courtyard. Even little kids enjoy it. Bring a blanket if you want to sit and listen for a while.
• ✓Don't forget sunscreen. The event is outdoors on concrete with no shade. The sun reflects off the sidewalk and you'll feel it.
• ✓Bring water bottles. June in DC is hot, and kids drawing on the ground lose track of time fast.