Summertime Outdoor Activities for Toddlers

The first full week of summer is under our belts, and can I say Whewwww!! Exhausting! I need a bucket load of energy just to keep up with the two toddlers I have running around! And yes, I said running. Wyatt is a two-footed mobile man these days!

So I need some fail-proof outdoor activities to run the energy out of these kiddos, and what better way to stay organized than with a list? Let’s be honest, it is probably going to take more than one list! I started a list of places to go when Mia was about 7 months old that still mostly applies, so this time I decided to focus on things that can be done at home.

So, here it is: our list of summer fun outdoor activities with minimal prep work! Some are tried and true while others are new to us. So lather on some sunscreen, head outside, and let us know if any of these worked for your kiddos!

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Bubbles

One of our FAVORITE outdoor activities is bubbles. Blowing them, dancing in them, popping them. You name it, we are doing it! Wyatt can also say the word bubble these days.

Bubble Tips:

• Bubble Machines keep a steady stream of bubbles coming and no fights over the bubble wands! (Which results in less spilling!)
• If you are making homemade solution, use a recipe that includes glycerin or corn syrup.
• Experiment with different kinds of bubble wands! Slotted spoons, fly swatters, pipe cleaners, etc.

Sidewalk Chalk

Sidewalk chalk is a wonderful learning activity for children, especially when parents get involved. We practice colors, name recognition, letters and numbers. Mia also loves when we attempt to draw animals. I’m pretty proud of when she recognizes what they are supposed to be! We have started storing our sidewalk chalk in a dishwasher basket because it is wayyyyy too hard to get back into the box!

Ice Age : The Meltdown

This activity takes a little prep work, but it’s not time consuming at. ALL. Find some tiny plastic animals and freeze them in an ice cube tray. I bought dinosaurs for $1 at Dollar General and Mia received some farm animals for Easter this year.

Once they are all frozen in ice, take them outside and work on melting them down to free the animals! Wyatt was actually more interested in this activity than Mia was. Probably because the temperature difference was more interesting to him. I think next time we go swimming in the kiddie pool it would be fun to put them in there!

Swinging

My kids spend FOREVER outside swinging on the swings. We were lucky enough to get a swing set this year, but a huge set is not necessary. Before we had a swing set, we just had one baby swing and hung it from a tree behind the house using some rope and carabiners. Mia loved to go outside and swing!

We loved this swing because the T-bar is movable and it makes it SUPER easy to take the child in and out of the swing. It is also very reasonably priced at only $27.99. The bucket style swings are more difficult to get in and out of and I always feel like I will scratch their little legs!

Texture Coloring

I think Mia is finally going to be able to get the hang of this one this summer. Take paper outside. Lay it flat on something textured – tree bark, cement, siding, a large rock, etc. and rub a crayon sideways across it. There will be a textured print when you are finished! This is a great way to use up broken crayons!

Kiddie Pool Fun

What’s summer without a kiddie pool to play in?! I love that I can set it up and we just have to go out the front door to swim. Last summer I was not brave enough to take the kids to the pool and we’ll see if I am brave enough this summer!

Ways We Have More Kiddie Pool Fun:

• Empty squirt bottles (empty ketchup, dish soap, etc.) and cups create containers for water.
• Crayola Bath Drops – Okay so we’ve only used these in the tub so far, but I can’t wait to put them in the kiddie pool too! They turn the water colors. (But not the kids!)
• I fill the pool up in the morning so it is warm by afternoon.
• Set the pool up in an area that will be shaded when swimming takes place to stay cool and prevent sunburn.
• When we are done playing, I cover the pool with a plastic tablecloth so the water will stay clean for a day or two. I’m sure a fitted sheet would work as well. Just only leave it for a day or two, else the water will start to grow algae and turn green!

Water Station

No pool? No problem! Before we had a kiddie pool, Mia stayed entertained with a cooler with a couple of inches of water! Basically take any containers of water outside. Set up a pouring station and let your kids go to town. Tupperware containers, ice cream buckets, cake pans, mixing bowls, spoons, ladles, squirt bottles, etc. Water is our friend during the summer!

Ice Cream Making

You don’t need an expensive freezer to make homemade ice cream. All you need are a couple of different sized baggies and ice cream ingredients! Then you shake, shake, shake! While I have not done this activity with my kids, I have done it with other kids and adults and it is loved by all!

Just some hints:

• Squeeze all air out of the baggies before closing.
• Duct tape the top of the baggies closed to avoid spillage.
• Wrap the bags in towels so you don’t freeze your hands while shaking!
• There are lots of different recipes, so make sure you find one that works best for your family! I’ve used whole milk, half and half recipes, and heavy cream. They are all yummy and all work!

Color Scavenger Hunt

Here’s another activity that I have not attempted with my kids, but as Mia is getting so good at her colors, I want to attempt it this summer! If you try it first, let me know by commenting or tagging me on Instagram. I want to see your results! Click on the photo for instructions from I Heart Crafty Things.

Toy Wash

One of Mia’s favorite things to do in the house is clean, especially with soapy water. Sometimes I give in and let her help with the dishes, but it usually makes a HUGE water mess all over the floor. So, to save me some headache, it is on my to do list to take this activity outside! I was inspired partly by this Muddy Trucks Toy Wash post, but I’m probably going to skip the mud mess. Our toys are dirty enough they could use some soap and bubble scrubbing!

Sidewalk Painting

Okay this is literally the easiest outdoor activities you can do with your toddler and mine LOVES it. She now asks for it all. The. TIME. It takes three easy steps.

1. Get a bucket
2. Fill it with water
3. Give toddler a paintbrush.

Mia spends 10 minutes or more just painting the sidewalk with water. No mess to clean up! And I guess she is technically cleaning up the sidewalk! 😀 #momwin!

What are some of your favorite outdoor activities to do at home in the summertime? I would really love to add to my list as it won’t take long to exhaust these ideas! Leave me a comment below!