Outdoor Summer Activities For Toddlers
33 Outdoor Activities That'll Make Your Toddler's Summer Look Like the Ones of Your Childhood
When I look back on my own childhood, most of the memories I have from the summertime take place outside — riding bikes with friends, jumping into my grandparents' pool, creating masterpieces with sidewalk chalk on the driveway, washing my dad's car. If you're looking for ways to get your toddler (and even older kids) to put down the screens to have a Summer experience that looks like those of your own childhood, it's high time to get them outside and making memories in the sunshine.
Scroll through for a mix of outdoor activities — most free, but some paid — that your toddler will love and remember for years to come.
1 Send Them on a Photo Scavenger Hunt
2 Make S'mores
There's nothing more classic than making s'mores over an open fire in the Summer.
3 Visit Every Local Playground
4 Teach Them How to Ride a Bike
Whether a balance bike, a bike with training wheels, or the real two-wheel deal, Summer is the perfect time to teach your kids how to ride a bike.
5 Create Sidewalk Chalk Masterpieces
6 Eat Meals Outside
7 Have an Outdoor Photo Shoot
8 Read a Book in the Fresh Air
Even if they don't have assigned Summer reading, suggest they curl up in a lawn chair or sprawl out on a picnic blanket to listen to you read them a new book in the fresh air.
9 Look For Shapes in the Clouds
10 Splash in the Puddles After a Rainy Day
11 Teach Them How to Swim
Not only is learning how to swim an important skill, but it's also a fun thing to learn! Take your toddler to the pool this Summer to teach them some tips (or sign them up for classes at your local pool, which may not be outdoors but is still a good thing to invest in!).
12 Eat Homemade Popsicles
Let the kids help you in the kitchen with homemade popsicles, then enjoy them outside once they're frozen.
13 Create an Outdoor Play Area With Toys
14 Go on a Flower Walk
15 Teach Them How to Help in the Garden
16 Set Up a Slip and Slide
17 Collect Rocks and Seashells at the Beach
18 Host a Driveway Car Wash
Invite all of their friends to help out and your mom friends to bring their cars to be washed — it's a win-win.
19 Play Tennis
20 Visit a Water Park or Splash Park
21 Play Catch or Dodgeball
22 Go For a Swim at Sunset
23 Watch Local Fireworks Shows
24 Fingerpaint
25 Make Wishes on Dandelions
26 Get Ice Cream From the Truck in Your Neighborhood
27 Go to a Local Carnival or Fair
28 Build Sandcastles
29 Blow and Pop Bubbles
30 Run Through the Sprinklers
31 Go on a Nature Walk
There's so much unique nature to be seen in the summertime. Walk through new places with your toddler and observe all of the nature around you.
32 Run Through a Local Park
33 Set Up a Color Scavenger Hunt
