Fun Physical Outdoor Activities for Toddlers to Try This Summer

Does warm weather have you itching to get outside?

How about your kiddos? Are they bouncing off the walls *slightly* more than usual?

Something about sunshine and warmer weather can take a toddler from a normal energy level and crank them up to eleven.

But the good news is, warmer weather gives the perfect setting for physical outdoor activities for toddlers. Set them free outside to burn off some of that bottled-up energy.

Use these ideas to get out and get moving.

Outdoor Water Activities

Everyone loves water play. What better way to cool off on a hot summer day than by getting wet?

Plus, toddlers love any excuse to get messy while having fun.  

Bust out some water toys in your physical outdoor activities for toddlers and watch those wet little smiles take over.

Splash Pad

Splash pads are all the rage. If you’ve got a local splash pad, definitely hit that place up at least once a week.

Splash pads keep babies of all ages entertained. The littlest babes enjoy exploring water with their fingers and toes.

Crawlers and early walkers have fun discovering water shooting in different directions. And love moving through the water at their own pace.

Toddlers have a free-for-all at the splash pad. Run, jump, twirl, and roll. All while keeping cool and checking out different ways of getting wet.

Don’t have a local splash pad? No problem.

Look into an at-home or DIY splash pad to bring the fun to your own backyard.

Spläsh is a great splash pad alternative for the youngest babes. Give your baby the chance to explore water while staying cool.

Water Toys

Water toys are the classic summer activity for toddlers for a reason. Kids love them! 

Bust out the water toys and keep them smiling all summer long.

Grab your old faves or try out some of these: 

• Water guns
• Water balloons
• Sprinkler
• Water slide
• Kiddie pool
• Water hose
• Splash Bombs

Water toys ramp up the fun any day. Let your little one explore and get moving with their favorites.

Need to step up your water toy game?

Meet our Büddies. These soft little friends go from the bathtub to the pool to the sprinkler. Throw ‘em, plunge ‘em, chew ‘ew, mix ‘em up. However your baby likes to play, the büddies are there for it. Bonus: forget traditional moldy bath toys. Büddies twist apart for easy cleanup.

And check out a water toy that builds fine motor skills. Stäck combines water play with brain development. Let them fill and pour over and over until their hearts are content. Fill. Dump. Pour. Stack. Endless water fun.

Water Play

There’s just something about water that’s magical for toddlers.

Splishing. Splashing. Pouring. It’s a wonder.

Use this amazement to keep your babes active outdoors this summer.

Try a water table

The best water tables:

• Are toddler-height. Too tall or too small? Forget it. Pick a table that’s just the right size. Bonus points if it’s adjustable to grow with your little one.
• Have moveable parts. Let your toddler explore water movement.
• Have a large base to collect water. You don’t want to keep filling and refilling while your babe plays.

DIY water fun

You don’t have to invest in a water table. Toddlers are happy playing with water and some of the simplest items you already have on hand.

Gather up some of these fun DIY water toys: 

• Different sized bowls
• Jugs/pitchers
• Different sized cups
• Spoons and ladles
• Whisks
• Spatulas

The perfect recipe for a fun day. Just add water.

Nature Activities

Kids are naturally curious. Tap into their curious little minds by setting up some physical outdoor activities for toddlers that let them explore nature.

Nature Hike

Nature’s incredible because it’s never the same two days in a row. Give your toddler the freedom to explore and discover.

Look under rocks. Climb trees. What’s hiding under the leaves? Check out the different things growing on the ground.

Exploring nature is like visiting one big sensory playground. Get out and go play.

Scavenger Hunt

Take outdoor exploration to the next level by adding a challenge. Create a list of things for your little one to find then send them on their way.

Scavenger hunts are fun for kids of all ages. Go basic with a picture guide of easily-found objects like leaves and acorns. Or ramp up the intensity with trickier wildlife like specific plants or animal dens.

This is the perfect time for your tike to explore all things creepy, crawly, and beautiful. Critter investigation paves the way for learning about life and diversity.

No matter the age, scavenger hunts get kids moving while getting their brains working, too.

Outdoor Games

Go fancy. Go basic. Whatever you decide, just go! 

Get your little one moving with these physical outdoor activities for toddlers.

Obstacle Course

Use whatever you’ve got on hand to create a challenging obstacle course for your tot. 

Cones, hula hoops, and jump ropes are perfect for adding tough obstacles.

Lacking on equipment? No problem. Use belts, ties, buckets, and bowls.

If your babe can crawl under it, run around it, or hop over it – it’s an obstacle.

Classics

Some games withstand the test of time. Teach your little one some of these old-fashioned games to keep them busy and having fun all summer long.

• Red Rover
• Simon Says
• Hopscotch
• Freeze Tag
• Kick the Can
• Hide and Seek
• Duck, Duck, Goose
• Red Light, Green Light
• Mother May I?
• Follow the Leader

They’ll love learning fun new games. You’ll love the endless smiles and giggles.

Get Creative

Physical outdoor activities for toddlers don’t have to be non-stop, full speed.

Pump the brakes a little and open the door for creativity.

Chalk

Chalk drawings are one of the simplest ways to let your little one explore creativity. Let their imaginations run wild and create beautiful masterpieces.

Find ideas everywhere in nature. Or let your toddler run the show and draw whatever comes to mind.

Once their canvas is full, hose it down and start over.

Nature art

Beauty is everywhere in nature. Let your toddler choose what inspires them to make a one-of-a-kind creation.

Use pieces from nature to make pictures, jewelry, or shadow boxes.

Need a little nature inspiration? Try including some of these in your art:

• Flowers – fresh, pressed, or dried
• Leaves
• Grasses
• Stems
• Barks
• Seeds
• Mosses and other ground coverings

No two pieces will be the same. Let our world speak to your tot and open the door to possibilities.

Prep your toddler with the right gear for exploring the outdoors.

Päk’s mini-design fits toddlers just right. Every explorer needs a backpack to hold treasures and adorable critters found along the way. And parents love that it’s 100% washable after a day of exploring.

Charting new territory? Päk’s convenient handle keeps your trailblazer close to you at all times while still giving them the freedom to openly move around.  

Physical outdoor activities for toddlers are important for growth and development. Let your little one move this summer by getting outside.

Encourage your babe to try new things.

Most importantly, have fun!